Winter Yard Maintenance Tips from Farmer Bob

1. Rake Your Leaves

You’ve done an excellent job to maintain your yard throughout the fall. And now the cooler months are creeping in. But there’s still some straggling leaves falling on your lawn.

Your first priority should be to remove the leaves to give your grass room to breathe. If you can mulch them, that would be even better. Use what you can and ask a neighbor if they can use the rest.

You can also compost the leaves for added nourishment to the soil for healthy plants in the spring. Wherever you can re-use and recycle accumulated leaves, you’ll be paving the way for healthy flora in the future.

2. Bring out the Shears

In between those soul-nourishing cocktails to keep you warm throughout the winter, get re-acquainted with your shears.

Trees and shrubs are susceptible to the harshness of frigid winter temperatures and pests. Trim them as you would like to see them when spring returns once more.

You’ll also want to remember to fertilize your cherished plants appropriately throughout the winter season. This will help keep them strong and resilient to the elements, annoying pests and disease.

3. Clear Away the Thatch

Thatch refers to decayed plant matter that gathers between your grass and the soil. When this matter increases beyond a certain point, it can rob roots of required nutrition and moisture.

Do be mindful not to rake too vigorously. This can harm the root systems.

4. Don’t Neglect the Lawn Mowing

It can be easy get bogged down with other responsibilities and put your lawn maintenance off. But there’s good reason to ensure you mow up until the first frost of the season. And this is even more important if you live in the northern United States.

Snow Mold

Snow mold is a disease contracted by lawns with extended periods of snow cover.

When your lawn is not properly mowed, snow mold can form on your grass. This is caused by prolonged exposure to very damp weather and the air humidity level.

Snow mold begins as little gray or pink marks on the turf. But they can continue to grow larger as exposure continues. These spots can also experience a change in color over time.

When your grass is allowed to grow high and is left unattended, it is most prone to growing snow mold on its surface.

If you’re weathering the winter with children, you can always enlist their help in mowing, as well.