Maintaining a Green Lawn in Winter: What’s the Secret?

Love it or hate it, winter is fast approaching. Whether you’re counting the days until the temperatures dip below 20 degrees or counting down the days until you can dip your toes in a pool again, you still need to take care of your lawn during winter. There’s no mystery to preserving your own slice of emerald isle through March. Winter lawn care is key to keeping a green lawn in winter. Here is a step-by-step guide to maintain a green lawn in winter, all season long.

Preparing Your Lawn

Preserving a green lawn in winter begins with preparing your lawn for seeding in late summer to early fall. Follow these six easy steps to seed your lawn as early as late summer.

Step 1: Rake and Remove Fallen Leaves

While raking most immediately seems cosmetic, it’s imperative for optimal seeding. Leaves block light from nourishing your grass and prevent seeds from hitting the soil and taking root. But, raking also stirs surface soil and opens pores to the root system below.

Step 2:  Remove Weeds

Don’t be quick to dismiss this step as it is imperative to achieving a green lawn in winter. Weeds are a plain nuisance and will suck the nutrients from your grass if left alone. Catch weeds as early as possible to ease the entire weeding process.

Step 3: Mow Your Lawn

In preparation for seeding, slightly raise the height on the blade of your mower. This will give your grass deeper roots and insulate it.

Step 4: Overseed Your Lawn

Autumn is a period when conditions are primed for germination due to cool air and warm soil. Overseeding creates more opportunities for grass to grow. It also allows seedlings plenty of time to develop. Different seeds are best for different circumstances, so be sure to use the right type of seed for your lawn.

Step 5: Water Your Lawn

After seeding, water your lawn up to three times per day. Germination takes 7 to 21 days. After your grass reaches one inch in height, water once daily.

Step 6: Fertilize Your Lawn

Special winter fertilizers are available designed to preserve the health of your grass. Fertilize the grass prior to winter to provide nutrients throughout the season. If you live where it snows, fertilizing your lawn will strengthen your grass when it frosts.

Maintaining a Green Lawn in Winter

To maintain a green lawn in winter, follow these steps from November to March.

Step 1: Change Your Mowing Strategy

Leaving your grass long in winter can be detrimental to its heath. Under the weight of snow and ice, long blades fold down which prevents your lawn from breathing. Long grass can also be the perfect shelter for mice and other critters. The acidity in urine can cause serious damage to your grass.  

To ensure a green lawn in winter, gradually lower the blade on your mower during the last few weeks of fall. Lowering your blade in one cut can shock your grass and kill it before winter. But, use caution when mowing during winter period. Don’t mow grass after it has rained or snowed as the lawnmower’s blade can damage the grass or kill it.

Step 2: Restrict Walking

When possible, avoid walking on your lawn during winter. Staying off the grass gives it a better chance to grow during the coldest season of the year. Walking on grass in wet and cold conditions can severely affect the health of your grass, reducing the possibility of a beautiful green lawn in winter.

Step 3: Keep Your Lawn Clear of Objects

Think your child’s toys on your lawn after the first snowfall are harmless? Think again. Objects like toys, chairs, or sticks can severely damage your grass. Leaving items on your lawn while the snow piles on top suffocates your grass and creates unsightly, yellow dead spots. Worse, those yellow spots will not flourish come spring. On top of that, the dead grass is a breeding ground for disease which can lure pests.

Step 4: Chip Away Ice

Your lawn can endure harsh winter conditions, but give it more of a fighting chance by chipping away ice or snow. Removing shards of ice will strengthen your lawn against the elements.

Keeping a green lawn in winter isn’t rocket science, but it may require professional help. Let Haynes help you ensure your lawn looks beautiful in winter and throughout the year. Visit our Connecticut Outdoor Living showroom or contact us today to get started!