How to Winterize Your Lawn
September 28, 2011, By Eric Brennan 0 comments
So what does winterizing your lawn mean? Simply put, it is the process of preparing your lawn for winter, when grass becomes dormant. Root protection and nutrient storage are critical to a lawn's survival throughout the winter as grass blades stop growing and roots dig in.
Start in the fall
Not only does the grass need attention, but also it's a good time to remove any weeds from the lawn and mulch the leaves. When the heat of summer cools, it's time to do all of the chores that are required for winterizing your lawn. But don't wait long. Seeding, fertilizing or aerating any later than six weeks before the first frost comes and your lawn could be in trouble.
Aerating
Lawn winterizing starts with aerating. The best way to do this is by using a punch-core aerator. When this tool is pressed into the lawn, small cores of soil and grass come up through the sides, leaving small plugs of turf everywhere. By opening pockets to allow air to infiltrate the soil, you can ensure healthy root growth. As lawn soils and roots become compacted from mowing throughout the year, air layers in the soil are compacted and disappear.
Before you begin aeration, you'll need to water the grass well for about three days. Next, you'll need to mow the grass to about half the height you normally mow it. This will cause the grass less stress when it is aerated and allows for top-dressing afterward. After the aeration, water the grass a final time to help break down the loose cores.
NEXT: Top-dressing
