Rake Your Leaves
If fall has left your yard covered up in pesky brown leaves,
don't just leave them there -- rake them up. Leaving a heavy layer of leaves on
your grass can keep it from getting the air and nutrients it needs and cause it
to die However, a few leaves and clippings can actually break down into
fertilizer as the winter goes on, giving your yard nutrients it needs to stay
healthy.
Mow One Last Time Then Aerate
Before putting the mower away for the season, give your yard one
last mowing. Cut your grass a little shorter than you would ordinarily. Lengths
longer than two inches could trap moisture and lead to diseases once spring
comes along. When you've done the last mowing, the next lawn care step is to
aerate the soil. By pulling small plugs of dirt out and allowing oxygen to
reach the grass you will help your lawn ‘breathe’ better. Many lawn care
companies can provide this service for a small fee.
Lawn Care Basics: Seed, Fertilize, Water
If you have sparse or bald spots in your yard, be sure to apply
some grass seed after the lawn is aerated. This allows the seed to germinate in
the cooler temperatures. This helps cut down the number of weeds that might
grow with your new seed. After you've given your new seeds a chance to grow, apply
a slow releasing fertilizer. Be sure to choose a formula that's specially
designed for winterizing your yard. Fertilizing helps you be sure your yard
receives nutrients through the cold winter season. After you apply it, give
your yard one last good drink: the water will activate the fertilizer.
Use A Professional For Lawn Pest Control
The type of pests can vary widely depending on where you live,
so it's a good idea to contact a professional for lawn pest control. Whether
you're faced with grubs or other pests, a lawn care company will know what to
do to get rid of them, but still leave friendly creatures like earthworms
alone.
Check Your Sprinklers
Do you have an underground sprinkler system? Be sure to check
and make sure it's been drained properly. This is especially important if
you're in a part of the country that freezes. Water that's left in the buried
lines will expand when it freezes. This could cause the pipes to burst,
shooting water all over your yard and getting you a big repair bill.
Properly preparing for the winter will go a long way towards
having a healthy yard in the spring. Use these few simple steps and you'll be
looking at lush, green grass when spring gets here.
