Winter Lawn Care: How To Keep Your Yard Happy

With winter officially starting December 21, it's time to make a plan for your winter lawn care. Even with Florida's mild temperatures, it's a good idea to know what you can do to keep your yard ready for spring. LawnMore has a few tips for your winter lawn care.

Rethink Mowing

Starting in fall, begin cutting your grass lower than in summer. Short grass deters field mice and other burrowing animals from making your yard a home, and deterring those animals helps keep your grass from dying.If you've missed the gradual cut down, remember not to cut the grass down immediately. Even if it's late, start slowly. Cuts more than 1/3 of grass' height can send the grass into shock.With that said, winter doesn't automatically signal an end to mowing. Evaluate your lawn and the weather conditions in your area to decide if and how often mowing is necessary. Just make sure your grass doesn't look appealing to small, furry creatures.

Prepare for Snow

While generally leaves are actually good for your yard, leaves and snow don't mix. To best protect your lawn, stay up to date on the forecast. If a chance of snow exists, make sure your yard is ready.If you still have leaves coating your lawn, remove them before snow hits. If winter rains and snow trap leaves on top of the grass, the grass experiences difficulty getting oxygen. If the grass can't get oxygen, it can't thrive.

Stay Off the Grass

After the green has faded from your lawn,  your grass can become a popular footpath.Especially when the bright green is gone, people forget that grass is a living, breathing thing. They may not avoid walking on grass the same way they do in warmer months. But asking them to do so is a critical part of winter lawn care. If you want your grass to grow back beautifully in spring, make sure your walkways are clean and ready for foot traffic.

Know Your Plants

Know what plants cover your lawn or call your garden home, and make sure you keep an eye on them. Different plants react differently to seasons and temperatures, so it's important to know the needs of your plants to ensure their life.For example, if you have a great lemon tree in your garden or backyard, know that it can't stay outside all winter. Temperatures below 29 degrees can severely damage a citrus tree in as little as 30 minutes. Knowing that ahead of winter and making a plan to care for your plants will help them survive.

Think About a Winter Lawn Care Service

If you have a green thumb, it's easy to stay on top of winter lawn care. If not, you may need guidance. Local lawn care services can visit your home and give you an idea of what you're up against for the season. Consider consulting one to get some ideas and to make a winter plan.If you live in the Gainesville, Florida area, LawnMore would love to help.