Winter lawn care is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your lawn looks its best all year long. The climate your home is located in will help determine your winter landscaping needs.
Winter fertilizer is one of the easiest and affordable ways to improve the look of your lawn. Whether you do it yourself or have the experts from a landscaping company handle the job for you, it is one of the most effective ways to ensure a healthy lawn when spring arrives.
But how do you know which lawn fertilizer is right and how often to add it to your lawn?
Here are some helpful hints and tasks you can do to keep your lawn healthy.
Using Winter Lawn Fertiliser
Canadian weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to stay on top of winter lawn maintenance. This begins with winter lawn fertilization before the snow falls. Just like during the summer months, using fertilizer will improve the look and health of your lawn. Adding winter lawn fertilizer to your grass at the end of the growing season will help prepare it for the spring season by adding important nutrients to the soil. Due to the possibility of an early snowfall, this is best done in the early to mid-fall before the ground freezes.
Winter fertilizer for grass should contain several key nutrients improve soil quality:
- Nitrogen – for a lush healthy lawn with long blades of grass
- Phosphorus – strengthen roots and improves soil health
- Potassium – improves the overall look and health of your lawn and improves soil nutrients
The packaging should have the initials N-P-K clearly displayed on the package. Winter fertilizer has specific nutrient values. The most common values are 21-7-14 and 15-5-10. Your garden centre advisor will be able to help you choose the right fertilizer based on soil pH levels, climate, and growing conditions.
How do you know when it is too cold to fertilize your lawn? Experts suggest the best time to fertilize your lawn is between 15C and 21C. This will ensure the fertilizer doesn’t have the chance to freeze or dry out, depleting the available nutrients.
Mowing Your Lawn for Winter
Your winter lawn care routine should begin in early fall. One of the best ways to help clear debris and allow your lawn full access to fertilizer is by mowing your lawn before fertilizing.
A trip around the lawn with your lawnmower can help break down organic matter and prevent leaves from impeding grass growth.
Keep your grass at a healthy length, so that any fertilizer that you add to your lawn is protected from blowing away. However, do not let your lawn get too long, which may prevent the fertilizer from reaching the soil. The ideal grass length is between 2.5 and 3 inches. This will keep your lawn looking lush and healthy until the snow flies.
Removing Weeds in Winter
Weeds are incredibly hardy and can sprout up at any time of year given the right growing conditions. That’s why it’s important to do regular weed checks even in the winters to ensure there is no opportunity for spreading when the snow melts.
Do a thorough weeding in the fall, using a combination of spot treatment and weed pulling. Remember to only use herbicides and pesticides that are approved by your city or municipality.
Aerating Your Lawn in Winter
Canadian winters can be hard on your lawn, that’s why aeration is so important to your lawn’s overall health and vitality. As you begin your winter lawn care, remember to begin with aerating your lawn in mid to late fall after you have finished removing weeds and mowing your lawn.
Aeration improves access to your lawn’s roots allowing the maximum performance of fertilizers. This practice also helps prevent insect infestation and reduces susceptibility to drought. It should also be done when the soil is moist. The soil plugs can remain on the lawn, as they add extra nutrients to the soil as they decompose.
Contact Us
Winter lawn maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure you get the best results from your lawn in the spring. JHC Landscaping provides professional, friendly winter lawn maintenance services from garden clean-up to fertilizer and aeration. Our team of winter lawn care experts can keep your lawn looking its best with affordable year-round landscaping solutions.
Contact us today for a free quote.