How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter: Autumn Lawn Care

Autumn lawn care or preparing a lawn for winter—when to mow and what to fertilize—has many nuances. Every gardener should know these nuances if they want to keep their lawn in perfect condition. Correct and timely implementation of these recommendations determines how well the plants will survive the cold and whether they will survive the next warm season.

Stages of preparing a lawn for winter

Once the lawn stops growing, the best time to care for it is before the cold season arrives. It's recommended to begin the necessary maintenance in mid-September, with the entire project completed in the colder month of October. Maintenance isn't necessary after the first frost. Maintenance procedures aren't difficult. It's important to heed the advice of experienced gardeners to ensure everything goes according to plan.

Watering in autumn

Preparing your lawn for the coming winter includes properly weaning it. Rain usually arrives in September with the first drop in temperature. The first month of autumn sees sufficient precipitation, so watering should be limited to once every 5-7 days if drought persists.

Sprinkler irrigation is the most suitable watering method. It's important not to overwater, as this increases the risk of grass rot. Watering should be stopped completely in October. This will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. This will prevent the plants from weakening or becoming diseased as winter approaches.

Features of mowing the cover in autumn

Another important aspect of preparing your lawn for the coming cold weather is timely mowing. In summer, mow the lawn based on the grass's growth rate. As the weather cools, growth activity slows. A final mowing before the cold weather sets in is essential. If tall grass remains when the cold weather arrives, new shoots will have a hard time breaking through the top layer in the spring. Mow the grass in the fall until it reaches 5-7 cm. Gardeners should monitor temperatures. The final mowing is recommended two weeks before the expected frost.

Fertilizing in autumn

Once you've determined when to mow your lawn before winter, you should fertilize it. Avoid using nitrogen, which promotes vigorous growth. This is contraindicated in winter. Plants should be fed with substances that strengthen the root system. Recommended fertilizers contain potassium and phosphorus.

The soil should be fertilized with bone meal. This is best done a week to 10 days before the predicted temperature drop. Fertilizer reduces soil acidity and provides nutrients necessary for active spring growth. Maintenance of the soil requires the use of double superphosphate. Apply 50 to 70 grams per square meter. Do not exceed the recommended rate to avoid damaging the soil. Fertilizing with potassium strengthens plants, increasing their resistance to disease.

Another important step in preparing your lawn for the coming winter is to purchase specialized fertilizers at the store. In dry weather, water the area before fertilizing, wait until the dew has cleared, and then apply the fertilizer at the recommended dosage. If there is no rain after this, water again after 48 hours.

Lawn aeration in autumn

The lawn needs to be oxygenated regularly. An aerator is used for this. If you don't already have one, a garden fork will do. Use it to pierce the top layer. Lift the turf, tilting it slightly toward you. Dry weather is the only suitable time for aeration. Keep the following recommendations in mind:

1. The punctures are made at an equal distance from each other – 20-30 cm.
2. The optimal puncture depth is 15 to 20 cm. This will ensure the required moisture penetration.
3. After aeration, the surface should be left to fully rest for a couple of days; you should not run or walk on it.

Leaf cleaning

In the fall, it's necessary not only to mow the grass but also to remove fallen leaves. That's the opinion of half of gardeners. Some believe that a leaf cover won't harm the lawn, even if it's not removed until spring. Experts call this opinion unconventional. A lawn is not a natural surface, but an artificial one, created by man. It doesn't follow the same principles that naturally occur in open soil and flowerbeds. Leaves left under the snow will turn into a compacted surface during the winter. In the spring, new grass will have a hard time breaking through.

Determining the right time for raking is easy. During the warm autumn, when leaves fall slowly, rake them once a week. If the first snow falls suddenly and frost sets in, wait until warmer weather sets in. Raking frozen areas is not recommended. Grass on the lawn is easily damaged and becomes brittle. Rake leaves with a fan or plastic rake. The tool should not damage the root system or stems. If possible, use a lawn mower with a grass catcher. This allows you to mow the lawn and remove leaves simultaneously. This should be done no later than two weeks before the expected frost.

Mulching the soil: leveling the lawn surface

Mulching is the application of a layer of organic and inorganic matter. It's essential for retaining moisture within the lawn. It prevents the soil from freezing or overheating. If the mulch is properly selected, the gardener will have no problems with weeds or pests in the spring. Mulching is performed:

• a mixture of sand and peat. Their concentration varies depending on the soil type;
• garden soil.

Mulching is the final step after fertilizing and aerating the lawn. The mulch layer should be 1-1.5 cm thick. It should then be swept away with a broom or other equipment. Experienced gardeners recommend mulching and fertilizing simultaneously. If you follow this advice, watering should be done after a few days.

Lawn care for the coming winter includes leveling the area, as bare spots often form over the summer. It's best to lightly overseed the grass in the fall to ensure an even growth in the spring. To ensure good growth, follow these recommendations:

• Scratch bare spots with a rake. This is necessary to ensure the seeds reach the soil and sprout in the spring;
• purchase grass mixtures for planting in the fall; they contain the fertilizers necessary for good germination;
• Cover the areas where the leveling was done with a layer of compost. It should be level with the lawn. Add leaf litter. humus to retain moisture.

Pest control

No matter how well you care for your lawn, the risk of pests remains. To prevent this, spray in the fall. The average temperature should have dropped to 5 degrees Celsius. Treat the grass with an antifungal agent. Gardeners most often use:

• "Fundazol";
• "Benomyl".

In the spring, when the snow melts and temperatures begin to rise, repeat treatment with the same product used in the fall. This is necessary to prevent damage to the lawn by snow mold.

Lawn edge design

In the fall, overgrown lawns should be trimmed carefully. Lawn edges often require shaping. Over the summer, the grass has grown too large and may have spread onto paths. Trimming the lawn is easiest with specialized gardening equipment. Not everyone has one, so a shovel can be a suitable substitute. If necessary, the curb should be re-enforced, smoothing its edges.

It's important not to damage the grass during the design process. Many people mistakenly use salt and chemicals to stop the grass from growing. This should not be done. To establish clear boundaries, gardeners are advised to use sand and gravel.

Planting a lawn in autumn

The last months of autumn, when there's no risk of drought and the air is sufficiently moist, are the ideal time to sow lawn grass. Experts recommend starting planting in mid-September. This can continue until the end of the first month of autumn. Some recommend additional overseeding just before the onset of winter—in mid- to late November.

Planting in September is a good idea because the grass will have time to take root and will be at the optimal height to withstand the cold. If planting in November, wait until the first light frost. In this case, the recommended seeding rate should be increased by 20-50%. There is still a risk of seed freezing. It is not recommended to sow in sloping areas in November. In the spring, when the snow melts, the water will partially wash away the seeds.

Before planting, dig up the soil, remove stones, level the surface, and compact it. Seven days before planting, apply a mineral complex fertilizer. Planting should begin a week later:

• scatter the seeds in a fan shape;
• rake;
• sprinkle with a thin layer of peat;
• water.

The lower areas require preliminary drainage. Remove the topsoil and fill with gravel and broken brick. Top with a 10 cm layer of river sand. Then add a layer of the removed fertile soil. After this, compact the areas. It's best to use a roller or a large log.

Covering the lawn for the winter

There are many videos in which experienced professionals explain in detail when to mow your lawn before winter and whether it needs to be covered. If all recommendations are followed, the lawn won't require additional insulation. Plants will tolerate low temperatures well, and their root systems will remain intact.

Gardeners have just a few rules for how to properly care for their lawn in winter:

• There is no need to remove snow from the lawn. Clearing the paths will be sufficient;
• You can walk on the lawn when the snow layer thickness reaches 30 cm;
• The ice crust that forms on the surface must be broken up with a rake to ensure that the grass gets the necessary amount of oxygen.

How to apply fertilizers correctly

Top dressing fertilizers Coverings in the fall must be applied correctly. This will ensure the desired results and will not damage the plants or their root systems.

1. Before fertilizing, the soil must be well watered.
2. Wait 24 hours for the moisture to be absorbed.
3. It's best to use specialized equipment for fertilizing plants. This prevents damage to the greenery. A spreader is used for fertilizing the lawn. These are sold at specialized stores where the fertilizers are sold.
4. After 1-2 days, the lawn should be watered again thoroughly. This will ensure the complete absorption of the fertilizer into the soil.

Application of nitrogen fertilizers

Low-concentration nitrogen fertilizers are acceptable for fertilizing lawns in early fall. These products improve the grass's color and significantly stimulate plant growth. This will be especially beneficial for grass weakened by summer drought and high temperatures. Nitrogen fertilizers must be applied precisely at the correct concentration. Increasing the concentration leads to vigorous plant growth, which is undesirable in the lead-up to cold weather.

Application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers

Phosphorus-containing fertilizers are essential for fertilizing grass in the fall. They effectively strengthen the root system and promote lateral shoot growth. Gardeners often prefer to fertilize with superphosphates. Potassium fertilizers can also be added to the soil during this period. They are essential for increasing plant resistance to stress and disease. Potassium helps roots better absorb nutrients and strengthens them. This will help the lawn survive the winter well. Potassium sulfate is used as a fertilizer. Wood ash, rich in potassium, is also used.

How to mow a lawn

The lawn should be mowed for the last time in early November. This procedure will prevent the potential development of fungal infections. The mown grass will rot less quickly, which is also an advantage for the coming winter. After the lawnmower passes over it, the grass should reach an average height of 7 cm. It will grow an average of 2-3 cm before the onset of sustained cold weather. This will ensure a good wintering of the plants, and losses will be minimal. Lawns that have suffered severe drought and have limp grass should not be mowed.

Cleaning the grass

Before the cold weather sets in, it's essential to thoroughly clean the area. The grass should be cleared of matted grass, known as felt. The easiest way to do this is to rake the lawn, being careful not to damage the plant's root system. While not everyone considers this necessary, experienced gardeners recommend it. It's essential to clear the area of ​​rotten, wet leaves, as they can cause infectious diseases.

Moss that appears on the grass can be removed by hand. The effect will be short-lived, which is a problem. It's best to use a special product for this purpose. It contains iron sulfate, which is detrimental to moss. If this treatment is ignored, the problem will quickly return. The product should be applied to the roots and trunks of trees to keep them free of moss.

To completely eliminate the problem, first remove all moss and then dry the turf. Many also use lime to reduce soil acidity. Dolomite fertilizer should also be applied in the spring. It strengthens the grass and prevents moss growth. Fertilizers high in iron can also help alleviate this annoying problem.

Aeration and repair (restoration) of the lawn

The root system needs to be aerated in the fall. This will ensure the necessary oxygen supply. The procedure is quite simple: puncture the area with a pitchfork or a special tool, indenting 15 cm at a time. The punctures must be done carefully to avoid damaging the roots.

If there are diseased areas on the plot where the grass has turned yellow or fallen out completely, they should be treated with fungicides. Afterwards, reseed all the bare spots with grass. Calculate the seeding amount with the expectation that some may freeze over the winter. If it's too late to sow the grass, you can use prepared sod.

You may be interested in:

List of spicy garden herbs
You can grow some plants in your garden so that they look beautiful and decorative, but at the same time, they are…Read more…

How to care for your lawn in late fall and winter

When cold weather sets in and snow falls, ensure good airflow to the lawn. After thaws and subsequent frosts, an ice crust often forms on the surface. This needs to be removed. A shovel or rake are suitable for this job. If the crust is not removed, carbon dioxide will accumulate underneath, which negatively impacts the health of plants.

If precipitation is insufficient in some areas, snow retention is necessary. During severe snowstorms and drifts, gardeners recommend thinning snowdrifts by spreading them out. Failure to do this can result in severe grass rot in the spring when the snow melts.

Care for specific types of lawns

A lawn consisting of a single plant species is the classic "English" lawn. Other lawn varieties are also common:

• meadow;
• Moorish;
• blooming;
• sports.

The main difference is the selection of plants and their height. A meadow lawn contains natural grasses that naturally occur in such areas. Mowing is done to a height of at least 8 cm. This should be done after perennials have finished blooming and other varieties have not yet bloomed.

Moorish turf is easy to maintain. It can be mowed by hand, but care must be taken not to damage flowering plants. In the fall, turf and debris are carefully removed. Next, the lawn should be fertilized, watered, and mulched. Sports turf has a low cover and can be mowed until temperatures drop steadily. It requires careful maintenance, like a parterre lawn, to maintain its original appearance.

Reviews and comments

Andrey

I've given up chemical fertilizers. In the fall, I buy chicken manure, steep it in water, and apply it as fertilizer. The grass grows very quickly. The roots become stronger. Many people mistakenly believe that the lawn will emit the characteristic smell of manure. After winter, there's nothing left. The advantage is that active grass growth continues all summer. The lawn needs to be mowed every week; otherwise, after 10 days, it becomes very difficult to mow.

Ivan

About a month before the first frost, I thoroughly rake out leaves and debris from the lawn. I poke everything with a pitchfork to allow for air circulation. I mow the lawn to a height of no more than 4 cm. I always feed it with a complete autumn fertilizer and mulch the soil. In winter, no one runs on the lawn, regardless of the thickness of the snow. As a result, the whole family enjoys a gorgeous green lawn throughout the warm season until the first frost.

In conclusion

Lawns are a popular surface area for many. Beginning gardeners should familiarize themselves with all the intricacies of lawn maintenance. It's essential to feed and clean the grass, mow it regularly, and properly prepare it for cold weather. This will ensure a beautiful lawn that the whole family will enjoy.