Lawn Care: Prepping Your Grass For Winter - By: Chris Harmen

The trick to a beautiful yard once spring begins is preparing it for the long winter. Whether you live in a cold climate or a more moderate one, it's a great idea to take a few simple steps that will bring your grass back greener and healthier than ever.

Rake Up Those Leaves

If fall has left your grass covered in crunchy brown leaves, don't leave them there -- rake them up. Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your yard can keep your grass from receiving the air and nutrients it needs and cause it to die a slow death as it struggles with a limited air supply. However, a few leaves and clippings can actually break down into fertilizer as the winter goes on, providing your yard with nutrients it needs to remain healthy.

Mow One Last Time Then Aerate

Before packing your mower away for the season, proper lawn care calls for one last mowing session. Cut the grass a little shorter than you would normally because lengths longer than two inches could trap moisture and lead to disease in the spring. Once you've mown for the last time, the next lawn care step is to aerate the soil. This includes using a piece of machinery that penetrates the soil, pulling small plugs of dirt out and allowing oxygen to reach the grass. Many lawn care services can provide this service for a small fee or you can rent the equipment from a home improvement store.

Lawn Care Basics: Seed, Fertilize, Then Water

If you have sparse patches or bald spots in your yard, apply some grass seed after aerating. This will allow the seed to germinate in the cooler temperatures, which helps cut down on the number of weeds that could grow alongside your new seed. After you've given your new seeds a chance to grow, apply a slow releasing fertilizer. Choose a formula that's specially designed for winterizing. This will help make sure your yard receives nutrients throughout the cold weather season. After application, give your yard one last good drink: the water will activate the fertilizer.

Contact A Professional For Lawn Pest Control

The type of pests can vary greatly depending on where you live so it's a good ideal to contact a professional for lawn pest control. Whether you're faced with grubs or other pests, a lawn pest control company will know how to get rid of them, yet still leave friendly creatures like earthworms alone.

Check Your Sprinklers

If you have an underground sprinkler system, check to make sure it's been drained properly, especially if you're in a part of the country that freezes. Water that's left in the underground lines can expand when it freezes, causing the pipes to burst, explode and spew water all over your yard.

Preparing for the winter goes a long way towards a healthy yard in the spring. Take these few simple steps and you'll be greeted with lush, green grass when spring finally appears.

About the Author

Massey Services Inc. is a leading provider of lawn care service that's tailored to the specialized needs of lawn care in Orlando. If you're looking for lawn pest control in FL from a company that's committed to serving its customers with integrity, choose Massey Services. To sign up for a free pest inspection, visit their site.

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