Winterizing Lawns
How to prepare your grass for the winter while still watering amid Colorado’s varying temperatures.
At Double Eagle, we understand that your lawn may be the largest part of your garden landscape. From seeding, aerating, and mowing to weeding and raking autumn leaves, you do your best to keep it looking lush and lovely and take pride in the accomplishment!
Oftentimes, homeowners think that once leaves are cleared away, it is goodbye to lawn chores until spring, right? No.
Cut the grass shorter on your final cut of the season. We recommend the mowing height is about 2-2 ½ inches. Shorter grass decreases the potential for snow mold buildup, which can affect your lawn in the spring.
Use those extra fallen leaves to your advantage! On the final mow, mulch the leaves into the lawn. These winter leaves can be good for grass and soil health. It provides much needed nutrition in the form of organic material; just don’t over do it with a thick blanket of leaves.
Use Fall Leaves
On the final mow, mulch fallen leaves into the lawn as they are good for grass and soil health.
After your last mow, it is extremely important to not leave debris, leaves or toys out on the lawn. These things can smother the grass, creating disease conditions that invite insects and mice.
Aerate your lawn just before winter hits. Aerating the soil decreases compaction and increases infiltration of water into the soil. Having the improved drainage from the aeration prevents a condition called “crown hydration”. If water is stored around the crown of the plant, this can lead to what we refer to as winter kill. The crown of the plant is where the roots meet the stem. It is basically the nucleus of the plant. If the crown dies, then the plant dies.
Blowout your sprinklers to prevent issues come spring with frozen pipes.
Aerate the Soil
Aerating the soil decreases compaction and increases infiltration of water into a lawn.
Snow isn’t the only winter weather that affects dormant grass. Sunshine, wind, and lack of precipitation can dry out a lawn. If your lawn isn’t getting at least ½ of inch of water every other week, you risk losing your grass and plants over winter. Snow will act as an insulation for the lawn, protecting it. Snow is porous and allows gas exchange, which means oxygen is still available to the plant under the snow. Ice, on the other hand, can be detrimental. If you experience a winter drought, water deeply on a day that’s above 40 degrees.
Avoid Compaction
Whenever possible, avoid piling snow on grass to prevent mold formation.
Minimize Soil compaction and salt damage. When shoveling snow from your walkways and driveway, if you can avoid piling it on the grass, when possible, if no choice, spread it out. This will accelerate the melting process and inhibit mold formation as well.
Using these essential tips, you are likely to avoid “winterkill”. We can’t wait to see all our amazing clients getting outdoors this winter enjoying some lawn care!
When your cheeks are rosier, your grass is greener, and your spring to do list is shorter with minimal damage and expenses, you will be glad you did it!
Request Service
Contact Double Eagle to protect your lawn this winter.