Caring for Your Lawn in the Winter

Up here in Chicagoland, grass falls dormant when the cold weather comes around. Grass doesn’t grow in the winter here since it’s far too cold, so we wait for spring to see fresh growth. However, just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can neglect your lawn. Consider these winter lawn care tips provided by Redbud Landscape to keep your grass healthy year-round. 

Use Fertilizer

Fertilizing your lawn in the winter ensures lush, green grass by the time spring arrives. Timing matters: you don’t want to fertilize too soon, but as the warmer weather nears, adding fertilizer can make your lawn beautiful and healthy. Our landscaping specialists use a special tool called a spreader to release pellets on the lawn that add nutrients to the soil and promote new grass growth. 

Aerate Your Lawn

In months when sunlight is limited and your lawn is frequently covered with snow and debris, aerating your lawn can increase its health when done properly. Aeration enhances grass growth by delivering nutrients, air and water to the soil where grassroots are deeply embedded.

Spread Cool-Season Grass Seed

Spreading grass seed can further support a healthy, green lawn that your family will enjoy during the warmer months. The process is called dormant seeding, and our landscaping team can assist you with it. However, it’s important to select a grass seed that is designed to be planted in the winter. That way, the seeds will lie dormant in the soil until it’s time to sprout. 

Rake and Water Your Lawn

After fall, there’s a lot of debris covering the ground. From dead leaves to twigs, raking your lawn can help break up debris and clumps of soil. It’s important not to let debris smother your grass, as this can lead to disease and attract damaging pests. Your lawn shouldn’t be dry: make sure the soil is moist enough and, if necessary, we will water it. 

Lower Your Mower’s Height

If your mower’s blade is too high, the grass will remain long. Unnecessarily long grass can become smothered, diseased and damaged by freezing and thawing. Of course, cutting the grass too short can lead to a whole other set of issues since you don’t want to expose the crown of the grass to harsh external conditions. If you’d like us to handle the mowing, just let us know and we’d be happy to help. 

Pay Attention to the Weather

Turf tends to be highly resilient and can survive even the toughest winters. However, some weather conditions still pose significant risk and can hurt your lawn in the long run. Monitor the weather and keep an eye on your lawn. Some patches may need extra TLC if exposed to a deep freeze or ice in low spots. 

Enlist the Help of Our Professional Landscapers

Caring for your lawn in the winter will bring you plenty of benefits come spring. Investing in your lawn care even when the weather gets cold allows you to protect your turf from damage. Our team at Redbud Landscape is prepared to assist you. Contact us now for comprehensive landscaping solutions.