Can You Help Your Lawn Through the Winter?
A lot of people think that the first sign of winter is the time when they can just leave their lawn and not care for it until spring comes around. These people are in for a bit of a disappointment in the spring when their lawn is not as lush or beautiful as they’d want.
If, on the other hand, you put in a bit of effort even in the off season, you can have a much nicer lawn during the lush green part of the year. If you need help with your lawn care, make sure to find the right professionals to help you, like https://ralcolandscapes.com/landscaping/san-diego/.
Aerate the Lawn Annually
Your grass tends to grow quite densely, which is why it is so beautiful to look at and soft to walk on. However, there’s a downside to that. The grass grows so densely that it obstructs the exchange of gases between the soil and the air. Fortunately, there’s a solution. Aerating your lawn once a year, more specifically in the fall.
The tools used for aerating look like pitchforks, but they have hollow prongs. If you have a large yard, you might want to hire professionals who have gas-powered machinery which does the job quicker and without much hassle. If your children or pets use your yard extensively, you might want to aerate your lawn twice a year, now and in the spring.
Plant the Grass
This is the ideal time to plant new grass because this is when the roots of the grass grow the quickest. The temperature of the turf is also very suitable for grass growth. When choosing the seed you want to use, keep in mind that some inexpensive seeding options aren’t as carefully sorted, so you may end up with a lot of weeds and other unwanted plants in your seed bag.
More expensive grass tends to be more resistant to insects and other pests as well as the cold and drought. It will make your maintenance all the less demanding. Once you have planted the grass, you need to water it daily until it germinates, which lasts somewhere between ten and twenty days.
Fertilize Your Lawn before the Frost
We mentioned that grass grows fairly extensively in this period. You would do well to give it some extra fertilizer to grow. The surplus nutrients will be stored in the roots of the plants for the spring. It will give your grass a nice head start over other plants.
When choosing the fertilizer, look for a high phosphorus content, since it is critical for grass growth. If, however, it is forbidden to use phosphorus in your area, the best substitute is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Bring Delicate Plants In
If you are an avid landscaper, you probably have more than just grass on your property. You should research whether these plants can withstand the cold of winter nights outside, or if you should bring them is for the winter. The general rule of thumb is that most flowering plants need to be brought in if you want to have them for the next season as well.
Speaking of bringing things in, your watering equipment, like hoses, should be moved to a dry and warm place. Freezing can seriously damage your hoses to the point that you might need to replace them altogether. If your area is prone to freezing, all of your outside water spigots should also be disconnected until spring.
Having a beautiful lawn seems to be a measure of success in suburban America. All it takes is a bit of effort and a bit of skill, and you can have the ideal lawn in the spring.
To contact RALCO Landscapes & Maintenance
3443 Camino del Rio S #222, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
619-259-5553