You probably don’t put too much thought into lawn care during the winter months, as so many grass types go dormant or get covered in snow in places like Nampa and Boise, Idaho. Still, there are basic things you can do towards the end of the winter and early spring to ensure your lawn bounces back to life strong and healthy. Here are tips from Lawn Master to prepare your lawn for spring.
Clean up debris
Removing all the twigs, leaves, and other trash that has accumulated throughout the winter is step number one to prepare your lawn for spring. This type of debris can act as a breeding ground for pests and also contribute to soil compaction.
Depending how big the lawn, you may want to use an air blower instead of a rake for the sake of your lower back. Either way, removing all this debris clears the way for other necessary lawn care and prevents wear and tear on your lawnmower and tools.
Tree pruning in the winter
Pruning is always recommended for maintaining good tree health which is perfect to prepare your lawn for spring. It’s actually better to do in the winter months when many trees are dormant.
- Pruning following a winter of heavy snowfalls is a matter of safety. Weakened and dead branches can fall and potentially hurt people or property. In the winter it’s much easier to assess the condition of the tree and see its shape without all the leaves in the way.
- Pruning during the winter also has the advantage of allowing the tree to heal faster. Energy and nutrients normally reserved for photosynthesis are free to focus on healing. Additionally, many pests and diseases which normally attack pruning wounds, are dormant.
Aeration time
Aeration is a lawn care technique to prepare your lawn for spring that creates small holes in the soil and improves nutrient, water, and gas exchanges throughout the root system.
- Core aeration should be done at least once per year for optimum soil and root health. For cool season grass types such as Kentucky Bluegrass for example, early spring following the last deep freeze is an ideal time.
- Aerating early will help prepare the roots and soil for the harsher upcoming summer conditions where water can be in limited supply. It allows the roots to grow deep and strong, and can make all the difference during a sustained drought.
Fill in bare patches
Following a harsh winter, your lawn may look worse for wear. Fortunately in order to prepare your lawn for spring, patchy unsightly sections of dead grass and bare areas of soil can be quickly restored once the final freeze has passed.
- Overseeding is simply adding grass seeds to existing sections of lawn without tearing up the soil. This is a good opportunity to introduce different varieties of grass which are hardier and more resistant to cold, drought, pests, etc.
- Overseeding results in thicker grass coverage and an overall improvement in appearance and health. Be sure to do it as early in the spring as possible to ensure the seedlings have enough time to take hold and survive summer conditions.
- Sod is another option, especially for more severe bare patches of lawn. It’s costly and has some disadvantages, but it also gives immediate results. Sod takes anywhere from two to six weeks for the roots to fully take hold, so be careful not to disturb the areas you laid it down.
Lawnmower and garden tool maintenance
Winter is also a great opportunity to prepare your lawn for spring by servicing your lawnmower and gardening tools for the upcoming spring.
- For lawnmowers, chainsaws, and any other tools with sharp blades, it’s always recommended to sharpen them at least a couple of times a year. Mowing with dull blades actually damages the grass which increases the chances of diseases.
- Dull blades put extra stress on the tool, the user, and the plants being cut. A dull chainsaw, for example, is more likely to kick back on the user and hurt them. Many manufacturers offer sharpening services for their tools at a low cost.
- Take the time to give your gas and battery-powered tools general tune-ups. Change out old gasoline for new, inspect and clean out air filters, check batteries can still hold a charge, and make sure all the spark plugs are in working order. This will increase the longevity of the machines and save you a lot of hassle.
Though much of this checklist is DIY friendly to prepare your lawn for spring, sometimes you’ve just got higher priorities to deal with than spring cleanup, and that’s fine. Call Lawn Master at (208) 989-9261, we’re up to the task!
