How to Winterize Your Lawn: Essential Steps for a Healthy Spring

As temperatures drop and winter approaches, it's easy to forget about your lawn until spring arrives. However, proper winterization is key to ensuring a lush, healthy lawn when warmer weather returns. Here's how to prepare your lawn for winter to set it up for success next season.

Fertilize for Lasting Nutrients

• Why Fertilize Now? Applying a fall fertilizer helps your lawn build strong roots that will sustain it through winter and into spring. The grass may stop growing above ground, but it's still growing beneath the surface!
• How to Fertilize: Choose a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer. Apply evenly using a spreader, following the manufacturer's instructions to avoid over-fertilization, which can burn the grass. This step gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to remain resilient through winter and jumpstart growth come spring.

Aerate the Soil for Better Absorption

• Why Aerate? Aeration helps loosen compacted soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. This process also prevents thatch buildup, ensuring a healthier lawn overall.
• How to Aerate: Use a core aerator to pull small plugs of soil from the ground. It's best to do this before fertilizing so the nutrients can penetrate deeper into the soil. Aeration can be done manually with a handheld tool or using a gas-powered aerator for larger yards.

Remove Debris and Leaves

• Why Clean Up? Leaving debris like leaves, twigs, or thatch on your lawn over winter can trap moisture and promote disease. A thorough cleanup helps keep your lawn healthy and free of pests.
• How to Clean Up: Rake or use a leaf blower to remove debris. This step not only keeps your lawn healthy but also makes it easier to mow when spring arrives.

Adjust Your Mower Height

• Why Adjust the Height? As winter approaches, gradually lower your mower blade to trim the grass shorter. This prevents matting under snow, which can lead to disease.
• How to Mow: Lower the mowing height in stages, with the final cut being about 2 to 2.5 inches high. Be careful not to scalp the lawn, as this can stress the grass before winter dormancy.

Overseed Thin Areas

• Why Overseed? Overseeding can fill in bare or thin spots, giving your lawn a more uniform appearance come spring. 
• How to Overseed: Choose a grass seed suited for your region and spread it evenly over thin areas. Water lightly and regularly until the seeds germinate.

Protect Against Snow Mold

• Why Protect? Snow mold is a common winter lawn disease that can cause damage if not prevented.
• How to Prevent: To reduce the risk of snow mold, avoid heavy fertilization late in the fall, keep the grass short before winter, and remove fallen leaves promptly.

Water Sparingly

• Why Limit Watering? As temperatures drop, the grass will enter dormancy, requiring less water. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues.
• How to Water: Water lightly until the ground starts to freeze, then discontinue watering altogether.

Properly winterizing your lawn now will ensure it comes back stronger and greener in the spring. For all your lawn care tools, fertilizers, and other essentials, be sure to visit Baker's Ace Hardware in Monroe, MI--your one-stop shop for home and yard care needs!