Lawn Care in Winter
26.06.2023 - 10:53
/ balconygardenweb.com
By Scott Davis
Lawn preparation for winter is one of the most important gardening tasks that must be done in time and correctly. Adequate fertilization, mowing and removing weeds and debris provide the healthy lawn appearance, but there are a few other things you should do, which are given below.
Scarification is done to remove thatch or undergrowth from the lawn. This removes way moss, weeds, and dead organic debris which impede the flow of water, air, and nutrients to the roots. You can scarify your lawn in late spring when all the dangers of frost are passed or in the fall. Before scarifying your lawn, mow it. Scarify only to remove the top layer of thatch, don’t penetrate the blades too deeply.
Aeration improves the airflow in the soil and reduces its compactness so that water, fertilizer, and oxygen are easily absorbed by the roots. This treatment improves the condition of the roots and helps in quick regeneration of grass after the winter. Aeration should be done in fall in late September or October. However, according to a research conducted by Purdue University, aeration is done too late even until the November might be helpful.
Generally, grasses grow well in neutral pH and if your soil is acidic, do liming. Best time to lime your lawn is fall, after the aeration. The cycle of freezing and thawing in winter assists the penetration of lime into the soil.
After the aeration, if you see holes and patches apply the seeds at a rate of 0.8 Oz (25 g)/m2. Colder months are the perfect time for seeding scraggly patches of lawn. It is done when the soil is not frozen but cold enough to stop germination until next spring. To learn more about how to do it, read this.
Top dressing is the process of application of a thin layer of