Tips For Winter Yard Care

Wintertime can be a welcome respite from constant lawn maintenance. You don’t have to weed or mow, and you can lay off the water and fertilizer. But just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you should completely abandon your lawn. If you do, you’ll likely find that your grass isn’t as lush come spring. Here are a few yard maintenance tips for winter:

• Clear debris
  In general, a clean yard is a healthy yard. Don’t let branches, leaves, toys, or other debris remain in your yard. It will make it look cluttered and can also create dead spots in your grass. In addition, leaves may promote the spread of pests and diseases, unless you turn them into mulch. When leaves are turned into mulch, they’ll nourish your grass and allow it to grow much more fully.
• Eliminate heavy objects and foot traffic
  Even in winter, people and cars should be kept off lawns. This can compact the ground and can prohibit grass growth in the spring. If you want your yard to look nice in the warmer months, keep heavy objects, vehicles, and people off it in the colder ones.
• Keep salt away
  Salt can help to melt icy walkways in the wintertime, but be careful not to salt the areas where your grass grows. It’s harmful to both the grass and the soil. Consider marking your yard’s boundaries before salting.
• Fertilize in the fall
  If you live in a particularly snowy region, lawn care is especially important. Make sure you make plans to fertilize your yard in the autumn. Snow mold can easily form in wet, cold weather. The best way to prevent it is to have a well-maintained and fertilized yard. If your yard does have snow mold, you may have to use fungicides and special strategies for seeding your grass.
• Think about winter garden creation
  If you don’t live in an extreme climate, you could create a winter garden next year. Winter annuals, evergreen perennials, ornamental berries, and winter vegetables are great options for plants that will bring some color to a dull winter landscape.
• Plan for next season
  Winter is the ideal time to plan your landscaping for spring and summer. During this season, you can better see the foundation of your yard and plan necessary changes. It’s also a good time to schedule any landscape work that needs to be done, as the winter months tend to be a bit slower.

You may not have to spend your winter weed whacking and planting, but you can’t afford to go totally maintenance free with your yard. With these tips, your home will look beautiful year round.