Blankets of snow may be peaceful to admire from indoors, but by the time spring melts away the last of the frost and chilly temperatures, you may find the winter weather has wreaked havoc on your lawn and landscaping. During the winter season, the amount of sun present throughout the day decreases, casting your lawn in excess amounts of shade. This, coupled with damp conditions, can cause grass plants to drown, and loads of snow and ice can also freeze plant cells and crush the blades, preventing growth. In seasons with frequent freezing and thawing, the constant shifts can even cause the grass roots to become brittle and eventually die.
While the condition of your lawn may look bleak at the start of spring, with some simple landscaping maintenance, you can effectively undo winter lawn damage and restore your grass to its beautiful, healthy condition.
Tips to Restore Your Lawn After Winter
Winter has left your yard looking a bit patchy and unattractive. Grass plants are resilient and can be restored to their lush and pristine appearance, but your lawn may need some caring attention for fast, optimal results. Here are some ways to repair your yard after winter:
- Spring clean and remove dead turf: Clear out any dead patches of grass — this should be easy since there are no longer roots attaching the plant to the soil — and prepare your yard for spring by removing any debris and leaf buildup.
- Aerate the soil: Like any other plant, grass needs a supply of air to grow successfully — and soil that’s been packed tightly by sitting snow and ice can prevent the grass’s roots from accepting necessary nutrients. To allow your grass to grow properly, aerate the soil by either poking holes in the lawn or using a plug aerator.
- Remove and prevent weed growth: Look for any weeds from the previous year that want to make a comeback, and quickly pull them before they can widely infest your lawn. Spray herbicide to prevent any seedlings from growing into full adult weeds.
- Replace dead patches with seed or sod: When you removed dead patches of your yard, you may have been left with unsightly bald spots. To fix this issue, you can either add new sod or try seeding the area. For a quick fix, use sod that is more resilient against weed infestation and more forgiving in irregular waterings. As a cost-effective approach, you can also try seeding. To ensure your seeds take hold and grow properly, water daily to keep the soil moist for at least 15 minutes and water deeply after the seeds germinate. Feed the early blades of grass with a high-phosphorous fertilizer and don’t cut the grass until it’s at least 3 inches tall.
- Add topsoil and nutrients: With the arrival of spring, it’s time to begin regularly fertilizing your lawn and landscaping to ensure thick, healthy growth. At this time, also apply mulch around flower beds and trees and water regularly, making sure the lawn receives at least 1 inch of water every week. For efficient watering, wait until the temperature is low, either in the early morning or later in the day.
Once you’ve restored your lawn, be sure to keep up with regular landscape maintenance after winter. Fertilize your plants as needed and mow the grass once the blades are longer than 3 inches. Avoid clipping them too short to prevent drying them out.
Comprehensive Landscaping Services and Winter Lawn Restoration at Shearer Patio & Landscape Services
Reviving your lawn after winter can be tough, but the professionals at Shearer Patio & Landscape Services have the experience and tools necessary to keep your landscaping looking fresh, healthy and lush. We work with a variety of residential and commercial properties throughout the greater Columbus area, finding personalized solutions and attentive lawn care that perfectly suits your needs and budget while exceeding expectations.
Learn more about our landscaping maintenance services today by filling out our online contact form or calling 614-889-9981 to speak to a team member.
