When there’s a mountain of snow on the ground, it’s easy to assume that your lawn doesn’t require much care. While it’s true that you have fewer maintenance obligations in the winter, it doesn’t mean that your yard doesn’t need some extra TLC when it’s chilly outside. In this blog, we share some tips for keeping your lawn healthy in colder weather.
Tip#1: Look Out for Salt Damage
De-icing products containing salt can damage your grass by impeding nutrient absorption and creating bare patches. In addition to using calcium chloride products instead of sodium chloride on your walkways, take the following preventative measures:
- If you notice melt runoff on your grass, water it deeply as soon as the ground temperature rises above freezing. By doing this, you will be able to flush out the salt and minimize the damage caused by it.
- When you shovel the sidewalks, don’t pile the snow on your lawn, as it may contain roadway treatment residue.
- Avoid leaving bags of de-icer on turf areas, as they may leach salt into the ground.
Tip#2: Reduce Soil Compaction
Compaction reduces the soil’s ability to nourish the grass, causing it to dry out and drain poorly. It can result when you pile snow on top of your grass, so when you can’t avoid shoveling snow onto the lawn, spread it out instead of creating one large pile. This will minimize soil compaction, speed up melting, and even inhibit mold growth.
One note about soil compaction: during the winter, it can be tempting to use your yard for overflow parking whenever you host a holiday party or other type of get-together. The weight of these vehicles can lead to further compaction, so keep it as clear as possible this winter.
Tip#3: Remove Debris
Tree branches and other debris often litter properties after an Ontario winter storm, particularly one with high winds and freezing rain. While it might not be pleasant to clean up in the cold afterward, it’s important. If you have heavy tree limbs on your lawn and don’t remove them, they can block drainage, compact the soil beneath, and even cause crown hydration during the late winter months.
Tip #4: Do Some Sodding and Seeding
If your lawn has bare patches that you weren’t able to tackle when the weather was warmer, you can inhibit soil compaction and erosion by laying pieces of sod over them. Wait until the ground is above freezing, and be sure to water generously. In addition, you can spread seed during the coldest days of the year, even if snow is still on the ground. By summer, your bare patches should be history!
Questions About Keeping Your Lawn Healthy in Colder Weather?
Your lawn needs care all year round, but best practices will vary from one season to the next. During winter, you want to focus on avoiding salt damage, minimizing compaction, and laying the groundwork for healthy soil and grass in the spring.
At Green Collar Landscaping, we offer an array of winter services that include commercial ice and snow removal, lawn cleanup, and other maintenance work. For more information, get in touch with us today.