Just because winter is in full swing, it does not mean you are entirely off the hook for caring for your lawn. While most traditional lawn care activities are best performed before the first hard freeze, there are steps you should take to ensure your grass and plants bounce back beautifully in the spring.

Stay Off of Your Lawn

Frosted grass is particularly vulnerable. The pressure of humans and pets walking on your frozen lawn can severely damage grass blades. Too much foot traffic on frosted grass can kill the lawn. To avoid damaging your lawn and planting beds, wait until they have thawed out before letting pets out or walking on grass.

Remove Objects From Your Lawn

Winter weather brings a variety of fallen branches and other planting materials. When the lawn is thawed, make routine sweeps of your yard and remove anything resting on your grass or planting beds. If you haven’t stored lawn ornaments, benches, and maintenance items, do so quickly. Even light items remaining in one spot on your grass can severely damage the blades. 

Water Your Lawn & Plants

Believe it or not, watering your lawn before a cold spell actually helps the soil resist freezing. Water in the soil retains heat and reduces the chances of the ground freezing solid. The best time to water your lawn is a day before a deep freeze. If you water your lawn the day before a freeze, the wet soil insulates the roots and prevents the roots from freezing. If the ground is already frozen, do not water the grass. The frozen ground prohibits the water from seeping into the ground and protecting your lawn.

Prune Dormant Plants, Shrubs, and Vines 

Winter is the best time to prune many trees, plants, and shrubs for health and aesthetics. Pruning in winter allows you to remove dead leaves, branches, and buds. 

Pruning when the tree or shrub is not in bloom provides superior visibility for clean cuts that promote plant health.

Protecting Plants 

Potted plants are particularly susceptible to frigid temperatures. If you have potted plants, bring them inside during frost warnings… make sure you check for spiders and other critters that may have made their home in your plant. 

To protect plants that are in the ground, use hay or mulch to insulate the plants. You can also use burlap to cover the plants. Do not use plastic or other materials that will suffocate your plants. 

Protecting Your Irrigation System 

Before the first significant freeze, you should have winterized your sprinkler system. Now that winter and deep freezes are upon us, make sure you protect your irrigation system. If temperatures drop below 32° for an extended period of time, take the following precautions: 

  • Turn off your sprinkler controller
  • Shut off the main shut off valves
  • Wrap exposed pipes and valves with towels

Call A Professional

At Tanzer Inc, we’ve provided New Jersey residents with our trusted and expert service since 1982. Contact us if you have concerns about your lawn and irrigation system this winter. We always provide free estimates.