Is your lawn suffering from the winter blues, or more so, the winter brown-hues? Although nothing can be done to combat dormancy in a lawn we can work to prevent frost damage, especially in warmer climates that aren't used to frost or areas that frost and defrost often.
Prior to the Winter Season is it important to aerate and remove debris (we're looking at you, autumn leaves). Aerating helps to loosen any compacted soil which will improve drainage.
During periods of frost there are a few steps you can take for the overall health of your lawn:
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Do not drive on the lawn when frost is present
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Do not walk on the lawn when frost is present
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Water the lawn every once and a while
We know, the last suggestion sounds counterintuitive but there is actually good reason to water your lawn during periods of Winter Drought. Of course you will still want to winterize your irrigation system if applicable but you can use a standard sprinkler to do the job.
Let us explain:
By keeping the yard hydrated it'll actually allow it to thaw more quickly and evenly. When the ground is dry and frozen it'll try to hold onto what moisture it can. Watering the yard at prior to frost, and the lowest temperature point, means the evaporation can take place. The chemical reaction caused by evaporation creates energy that will warm the grass and surrounding soil. This warming effect means frost will have less of an impact on your lawn.
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