Lawn Care - Winter Checklist North Dakota

Winter lawn care is still necessary even with the cold winds and short days.  Just a few steps can help ensure that your winter lawn care pays off with a greener yard in the spring.

Before the first freeze
There is much lawn care that must be completed before the first freeze.  Of course, the timing of the first freeze varies greatly depending on in which region you live.  Be sure you have done the following before that first frost hits.

• Have the lawn aerated so that the compacted soil is loosened.
• Overseed your lawn after it is aerated so that the seeds can penetrate the soil.
• Make one last fertilization part of your lawn care so that the grasses can store the nutrients for the spring.
• Remove all debris from the yard.  Not only does this include leaves and fallen branches, but also any toys, hoses, tools, etc. that can be hidden by snow and cause damage to the grass.
• Gradually mow the grass shorter and shorter as part of your winter lawn care.  This helps prevent new grass during the winter, which can be more susceptible to winter diseases and also can dry out more easily.

At the end of winter
Lawn care preparation for spring begins as the winter starts to give way to spring.

• Check for any signs of disease on your lawn and treat them appropriately if you find any.
• Patch any bare spots in your yard.

Although winter lawn care is not as strenuous as perhaps fall or spring, is it still important to care for your lawn during the colder months.  Year-round lawn care produces a better yard for when the grasses are growing again.