The Yard Spot

You don’t need to sing it a lullaby or get it a warm glass of milk, but you do need to properly put your lawn to bed before the winter season hits. Follow these few simple steps to ensure that your grass comes back looking greener and healthier than ever this spring.

Step 1: Get Your Sturf off Your Turf

Or rather…your stuff! Remove all the furniture, toys, ornaments, garbage, etc. from your lawn. Anything left on your grass over the winter can create an ugly brown spot.

Step 2: A Shorter Mow Means a Better Grow

Cut your lawn a little shorter when you mow it the last few times of the fall. The shorter grass will hold up better to freezing and thawing. Be careful not to go too short though, as it can lead to bald spots. And nobody likes a bald spot – you don’t want your lawn asking for a membership to the hair club for men!

Step 3: If Greener Grass is Your Goal, Make a Lotta Little Holes

Before the first frost of the winter hits, use an aerator to aerate your lawn. This will allow more oxygen and water to reach deep into the root system. Most lawn care professionals recommend a deep watering a couple of days prior to aeration.

Step 4: For Extra Green and Extra Grow, Fertilize Before the Snow

Fertilize your lawn in the late fall – be sure to use a fertilizer specifically made for this time of year. Your grass will store the nutrients in its roots and begin to use them in the spring. Why not give it an extra head start! It will also help to repair any damaged spots.

Follow these simple steps for a beautiful lawn come springtime. A little bit of pre-winter care can save hours of work in the spring.  Happy mowing, aerating and fertilizing!