How to Care for Your Grass in Cold Weather.

Winter is a challenging time for your lawn. The cold weather, frost, snow, and ice can cause damage and stress to your grass, making it look dull, brown, or patchy. But don’t worry, there are some winter lawn jobs you can do to help your lawn survive the winter and prepare it for the spring. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Winter lawn care is not the same as summer lawn care. You need to adjust your mowing, watering, fertilising, and aerating practices according to the weather and soil conditions.
• Winter lawn jobs include removing leaves and debris, applying a winter lawn fertiliser, mowing less frequently and at a higher setting, aerating and scarifying the soil, overseeding bare or thin patches, controlling weeds and moss, treating diseases and pests, repairing damage from snow and ice, and edging the lawn borders.
• Winter lawn jobs should be done at the right time and frequency. Some tasks are best done in early winter, some in late winter, and some throughout the winter. You also need to avoid doing certain tasks when the ground is frozen, wet, or snow-covered.
• Winter lawn jobs can improve the health, appearance, and resilience of your grass. By following these tips and tricks, you can keep your lawn green and beautiful during the winter and get it ready for the spring.

Winter Lawn Jobs: How to Care for Your Grass in Cold Weather

Your lawn is a living organism that needs care and attention all year round. However, winter lawn care is different from summer lawn care. You need to consider the weather and soil conditions and adjust your lawn maintenance practices accordingly. Here are some of the winter lawn jobs you need to do and when to do them.

Remove Leaves and Debris

One of the first and most important winter lawn jobs is to remove any leaves, twigs, branches, or other debris that have fallen on your lawn. These can smother your grass, block the sunlight, reduce the air circulation, and create a moist and dark environment that encourages the growth of fungi, bacteria, weeds, and moss. They can also make your lawn slippery and unsafe to walk on.

You should remove leaves and debris from your lawn as soon as possible, preferably before the first frost. You can use a rake, a leaf blower, or a lawn vacuum to collect them. You can also mulch them with a lawn mower and leave them on the lawn as a natural fertiliser, but only if they are dry and not too thick. You should repeat this task throughout the winter, especially after strong winds or storms.

Apply a Winter Lawn Fertiliser

Another winter lawn job that can benefit your grass is to apply a winter lawn fertiliser. This is a special type of fertiliser that contains more potassium and less nitrogen than a regular lawn fertiliser. Potassium helps your grass to withstand the cold and frost, while nitrogen can make it too soft and susceptible to disease.

You should apply a winter lawn fertiliser in early winter, before the first frost, or in late winter, before the spring growth. You should follow the instructions on the product label and use a spreader to ensure even coverage. You should also water your lawn after applying the fertiliser, unless it rains within 24 hours.

Mow Less Frequently and at a Higher Setting

Mowing is one of the most common lawn maintenance tasks, but it is not the same in winter as in summer. In winter, your grass grows slower and needs less cutting. Mowing too often or too low can weaken your grass and expose it to the cold and frost.

You should mow your lawn less frequently in winter, depending on the weather and the growth rate of your grass. You should also raise the cutting height of your mower to about 2.5 to 3 cm, or one notch higher than your summer setting. This will help your grass to retain more moisture and insulation. You should avoid mowing your lawn when it is wet, frozen, or snow-covered, as this can damage your grass and your mower.

Aerate and Scarify the Soil

Aerating and scarifying are two winter lawn jobs that can improve the drainage and aeration of your soil. Aerating is the process of making small holes in the soil with a fork, a spike aerator, or a plug aerator. This allows water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass and prevents the soil from becoming compacted. Scarifying is the process of removing the thatch, which is the layer of dead grass, moss, and debris that accumulates on the surface of the soil. This improves the air circulation and reduces the risk of disease and pest infestation.

You should aerate and scarify your lawn in late winter, before the spring growth. You should do this on a dry and mild day, when the soil is moist but not wet. You should start by scarifying your lawn with a rake, a scarifier, or a lawn mower with a scarifying attachment. You should remove the thatch and dispose of it in a compost bin or a garden waste bag. You should then aerate your lawn with a fork, a spike aerator, or a plug aerator. You should make the holes about 10 to 15 cm apart and 5 to 10 cm deep. You should also fill the holes with sand, compost, or topsoil to improve the drainage and prevent them from closing up.

Overseed Bare or Thin Patches

Overseeding is another winter lawn job that can help your lawn to look fuller and healthier. Overseeding is the process of sowing new grass seeds over your existing lawn, especially in areas that are bare or thin. This can fill in the gaps, increase the density, and enhance the colour of your grass.

You should overseed your lawn in early winter, before the first frost, or in late winter, before the spring growth. You should choose a grass seed mix that is suitable for your lawn type and climate. You should also prepare your lawn by mowing, aerating, and scarifying it. You should then spread the seeds evenly over your lawn with a spreader or by hand. You should also cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost, topsoil, or mulch to protect them from birds and frost. You should also water your lawn lightly and regularly until the seeds germinate and establish.

Control Weeds and Moss

Weeds and moss are two common lawn problems that can affect the health and appearance of your grass. Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with your grass for space, water, nutrients, and sunlight. Moss is a type of algae that grows in moist and shady areas, where the grass is weak or sparse. Both weeds and moss can make your lawn look patchy, uneven, and dull.

You should control weeds and moss in your lawn throughout the winter, as they can grow and spread quickly. You can use a manual or a chemical method to remove them. A manual method involves pulling out the weeds by hand or with a weeding tool, or raking out the moss with a rake or a scarifier. A chemical method involves applying a selective weed killer or a moss killer to your lawn, following the instructions on the product label. You should also improve the conditions of your lawn by mowing, watering, fertilising, aerating, and scarifying it, as this can prevent the recurrence of weeds and moss.

Treat Diseases and Pests

Diseases and pests are another threat to your lawn, especially in winter. Diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses that infect your grass and cause symptoms such as spots, patches, rings, or discolouration. Pests are insects or animals that feed on your grass or its roots and cause damage such as holes, tunnels, or trails. Some of the common lawn diseases and pests in winter are:

• Snow mould: a fungal disease that causes white or pink patches of mould on your grass after the snow melts.
• Red thread: a fungal disease that causes red or pink threads on the tips of your grass blades.
• Fusarium patch: a fungal disease that causes yellow or brown patches of dead grass surrounded by a white or pink ring.
• Anthracnose: a fungal disease that causes brown or black spots on your grass blades and stems.
• Leatherjackets: the larvae of crane flies that feed on the roots of your grass and cause yellow or brown patches of dead grass.
• Chafer grubs: the larvae of chafer beetles that feed on the roots of your grass and cause yellow or brown patches of dead grass. They also attract birds and animals that dig up your lawn to eat them.
• Moles: small mammals that dig tunnels and mounds under your lawn and disturb the soil and the roots of your grass.