Tyler Lawn And Garden: 8 Ways to Help Your Lawn Beat “The Winter Blues”

We are still basking in the remnants of summer in East Texas, but it is never to early to start thinking about the next season. No matter where, you are, or when you read this, these basics will help you get your lawn through winter.

1. To help your lawn through the winter months, there are several things you can do. You can increase your lawns cold hardiness by adding a little extra potassium, the third number on the fertilizer bag. Remember, your lawn grasses roots will continue to grow and store nutrients even when the tops are dormant.

2. If you have dry winters in your area, check the moisture level of your lawn from time to time. Roots will still need some water. It is not good to allow the roots to freeze in a dry condition.

3. Mow your lawn as you normally would. Scalping your lawn for winter will only lead to erosion, or bare spots, where the winter weeds will find a new home. Scalping just generally leaves the lawn in bad condition.

4.If you have a lot of leaves, either rake them, or mulch them. Raked leaves can be recycled in your compost bin. Mulching them over your lawn, will add nutrients and organic matter to your lawn.

5. If you have winter and early spring lawn weeds, start planning now to get rid of them. When the lawn is dormant, it may be possible to remove the weeds manually, or chemically without doing any damage to your lawn. If you have complete dormancy, that is, no part of the grass has any green, you can apply a non selective herbicide such as a glyphosate product to any weeds or weedy grasses which spring up during that time. Be certain that you follow the label directions, because it is possible to “salt out” an area with almost any product, natural, or chemical.

6. If you plan to use a pre emergent herbicide, it would be good to have it on hand when the time comes to apply it in your area. Once again, follow those label directions.

7. Make sure that your irrigation system is protected from freezing, before you find out about it the hard way.

8. This will also be a good time to start thinking about your lawn equipment. It will need to be winterized before you put it away. This is a good time for such things as; oil changes, filter changes, new spark plugs, repairs, upgrades, to sharpen or buy more blades. If you can, sharpen several to have handy when spring comes. Be sure to balance the blades after sharpening, so they won’t vibrate, and affect your mowers longevity.