You’re wrong if you think a great lawn is mandatory for the summertime only. Sure, you’ll only spend time outside when it’s nice and warm, but at the end of the day, lawn care and maintenance expand over the winter and fall seasons as well.
Poor maintenance in the wintertime could cause the lawn to look horrible in the summertime or even lose some patches. Besides, a well-maintained lawn also adds to the curb appeal.
Now, each season has its own challenges, so here’s what you need to pay attention to throughout the year.
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Summer, Our Favorite
There’s no doubt about it, summer is the season when you want the lawn to be perfect. With plenty of warmth and many hours of sunshine, you’ll need to consider how these effects target your lawn.
In terms of watering, make sure your lawn benefits from plenty of it during long dry spells. Evaporation is a real issue in the summertime, so you need to do it wisely. Water your lawn early in the morning, so the water goes in, rather than out in the air.
You can also do a second session in the evening, but avoid watering after dusk to reduce the risk of mold taking hold in cool, damp conditions.
Regular mowing is just as important. Normally, you should trim the top 30% of the lawn, so set your machine accordingly. Going too far down could hinder growth. Instead, doing just one third will stimulate healthy growth.
Feeding depends on the condition of your lawn. Ideally, you should get something with plenty of potassium. It boosts your lawn’s resistance and can prevent certain diseases.
Last, but not least, while it’s nice and comfy to spend quality time on the lawn, try to avoid using the same path over and over again. Instead, alternate your steps.
Moving on Through the Fall Season
Once the summer is over, most people just can’t be bothered looking after their lawn. However, the fall season requires even more care. It’s the perfect time to prepare the lawn for the difficult winter months.
As chances are you’ll end up with lots of dead leaves on the lawn, make sure to take them out all the time. A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight and traps moisture, creating a breeding ground for mold and snow mold.
Debris should also be taken off. Otherwise, the lawn could suffocate. Moreover, debris and other similar problems could stimulate the appearance of various diseases like brown patches or dollar spot.
In terms of lawn maintenance, the fall season is also ideal for what gardeners refer to as scarification. This process implies removing moss, as well as dead patches of grass. This way, the lawn can breathe, but at the same time, you also stimulate the growth of fresh grass.
Aerate your lawn tool. Keep the soil compaction under control. With aeration, you’ll improve the flow of water, nutrients and air.
Last, but not least, you can keep thatch under control by improving the structure of your soil, so top-dressing is best done in the fall season.
How About the Wintertime?
Winter is usually a quiet time for your lawn. Most people seem to think so. Sure, you don't have much to do, but there are still some essential care tips to take into consideration.
Most importantly, avoid the lawn. Basically, stepping on it could destroy the grass, especially if you have freezing temperatures. Grass is frozen, so stepping on it means you’re basically breaking grass apart. Traffic on the lawn should be kept to a minimum, especially when frosty. Instead create temporary walkways with mulch or boards.
On a similar note, if you have a rainy season, avoid stepping on the grass when waterlogged.
Other than that, you should still keep an eye on the grass and try to identify potential signs of disease.
One of the most common winter diseases is snow mold. Luckily, it can be cleared out without too much hassle, but you’ll have to identify it at an early stage. Leatherjackets are just as popular throughout the wintertime.
If it’s too late and your problem is too difficult to keep under control, make sure you seek advice from a professional gardener.
Hoping it’ll go away with time won’t get you anywhere. Instead, you’ll notice signs of disease and dead patches later on, throughout spring and summer. Winter damage often compounds quietly, so proactive action ensures your lawn is ready for growth when temperatures rise.
Spring Preparations
The springtime is when grass comes back to life. It’s a time of rejuvenation, so make sure to stimulate your lawn accordingly.
The first mowing season requires cutting about a quarter of the grass length. This way, you stimulate the growth of new grass. Lower the blades to the desired height gradually, with every new cut.
Feeding is just as important throughout the spring season. You need it to be healthy, especially after being frail during the wintertime. Choose natural feeds based on nitrogen to ensure healthy growth. Also go for a soil test to pinpoint deficiencies.
Weeds are likely to start bothering you as well. Stay away from harmful chemicals that dry weeds. Instead, remove them manually with proper tools. A selective weed killer isn't really the best choice. It's harmful to the surrounding grass, the soil and pets or kids.
Feel free to seed again too. Over-seeding isn’t a problem, so feel free to exaggerate with it. Certain areas on your lawn might have become sparse during the wintertime, so you’ll have to get them back in a growth stage.
Last, but not least, scarification is important in the springtime too, along with aeration. You're about to feed your lawn lots of nutrients, so you need to ensure they can travel safely throughout the soil. The purpose of these operations is to promote the vigorous development of your lawn.
You should see results within weeks only.
Our writers like to blog about real estate hotspots. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs. Download our free bathroom renovation guide here.