How to Winterize Your Lawn

If you live in an area that has seasonal changes, there is no doubt that you need to winterize your lawn. Cold, snowy weather can take a toll on your lawn, creating more work for you next year. An ounce of prevention...well you know what I mean, so let's get to how easy or hard this is to do.

Lovely fall days make you want to be outside, so why not prepare your lawn for winter and get some exercise, before the long boring months get here? The crisp fall air will invigorate you, making the task more enjoyable. You know you have to do it, so let's make the most of it.

Winterizing your lawn means more than just giving it the last mowing of the season. Once it is mowed for the final time, you need to rake all of the grass clipping off of it. These clippings will lay there and actually create a barrier between the grass and the sunlight and air, robbing your lawn of vital nutrients. If your mower has a mulcher, be sure it is mulched up fine, or use a grass catcher.

A lot of trees in the yard means a lot more work to winterize your lawn. It will seem like a never ending battle until all of the leaves have fallen, but you need to keep them raked up. Leaving the leaves set on your lawn all winter sounds like a good insulation.

It is not. It prevents the lawn from getting any sunlight or air, and you run the risk of it creating mold among the fallen leaves. Make sure all of the leaves are raked up before that first snowfall.

It is really important that nothing is lying around on the lawn, so walk around carefully and make sure it is clear of any thing covering the grass. Children are notorious for forgetting where they have left there toys. One forgotten Frisbee can give you an ugly old spot come next spring!

Pull all of the weeds from any landscaped areas. These weeds will rob your bushes through the winter months, plus they will be the first thing to sprout in the spring. Grab them by the roots and get rid of them. Place a good layer of mulch around small trees or bushes to protect their roots from the bitter cold.

Birdbaths need to be emptied and removed. If the pedestal is too heavy, leave it, but get someone to help you remove the top. Consider putting lawn ornaments in a work area of the garage where you can repaint them over the winter if necessary.

If you are not that crafty, you can just store them somewhere, but do not leave them sit out, or they may freeze and crack. The snow and freezing rain will also deteriate them and they will have to be replaced sooner

The most costly thing people forget to do when winterizing their lawn is to put up the hose. While your at it, check to make sure that you have a freeze proof faucet on the outside of your home. If you don't, or you forget and leave the water on, either the faucet or the hose may freeze and bust. Your lawn will be a mess then, and so will your water bill.

Police your yard thoroughly several times before the first snow settles on it. Rack the leaves when necessary, and be sure to remove any trash that has blown in, or any limbs that has fallen. Winterizing your lawn is an ongoing job, at least until the first snow. By then it's too late.

Personal Experience From The Midwest!