Recommendation points
- Using the lawn in the garden
- Major turf problems after winter
- Preparing your lawn for winter
- Stages and process of preparing a lawn for winter
- If the lawn is still blown out
- What to do if your lawn is damaged by fungal diseases
In this article, you will learn all the intricacies of properly preparing a lawn for winter. This process is described step by step for both young and adult grass stand. And also the issue of resuscitation of the lawn cover is disclosed in detail in the event that, after all, the lawn was damaged by rot or has come out.
Using the lawn in the garden
The lawn is a typical backdrop for landscaping in home gardens, both large and small. In any case, in order to meet the aesthetic needs of a person, he must be well-groomed, even and bright green..
To achieve the above-described appearance of the lawn, it is necessary to follow the correct sowing technology (in the case of a sowing lawn) or laying of bales (in the case of using a roll lawn).
In large areas (more than 200 sq. M.) It is much more difficult to maintain a lawn in this form than on a few hundred square meters. But difficulties and problems arise in any case. Here the difference in area affects the quality: in large areas it is rather difficult to prepare a perfect surface without the slightest depressions. Therefore, cases of fading occur more often than in areas with a small area of lawn coverage..
Major turf problems after winter
The main problems of greenery on lawns include damping out and damage by fungal diseases..
The following factors contribute to maintaining an excellent lawn coverage:
- correct soil preparation;
- good drainage system;
- compliance with the technology of sowing or stacking rolls;
- timely and proper care (watering, feeding, aeration).
The place where the lawn grows is also of great importance:
- In shady areas, the lawn loses out more often than in sunny areas. This is due to the fact that snow melts more slowly in the shade. As a result, in the spring, during daytime thaws and night frosts, the snow over the lawn is covered with a crust of ice. This contributes to damping off, since air exchange is difficult.
- In areas with well-prepared soil, the lawn is less likely to be damped and affected by fungal diseases. The lawn in such areas has enough organic and mineral substances for the development of healthy shoots.
- In lowlands where water accumulates, it is also more often difficult to maintain a beautiful and healthy appearance of the lawn. On the hillocks, the lawn vomits more often, since it does not receive enough moisture. And after winter, you can see bald spots in these places..
Preparing your lawn for winter
In order for the lawn to have a healthy green appearance in spring, it is necessary to responsibly approach the issue of preparing it for winter..
Tools you need:
- pitchfork or a special machine for aerating the lawn;
- lawn mower, trimmer, lawn shears;
- autumn lawn fertilizer that does not contain nitrogen;
- fertilizer spreader;
- rake for collecting fallen leaves;
- hoe, lawn grass seeds, mulch (peat).
Stages and process of preparing a lawn for winter
1. Aeration is necessary to enrich the roots with oxygen. The aeration process looks like this: it is necessary to make sod punctures to a depth of 25-30 cm and with a distance of 10 cm from each other. This contributes to the health of the roots and, as a result, frost resistance of the lawn.
2. Mowing – around October, the last mow of this season is carried out to a height of 5–6 cm, the lawn will still have time to get stronger before stable frosts. If this action is neglected, a large green mass blocks the access of oxygen and the lawn becomes susceptible to damping..
3. It is necessary to fertilize the lawn after mowing with potassium-phosphorus complexes. When buying a fertilizer, pay attention to the nitrogen content in them, it should not be on the list of minerals. Nitrogen is used to build up green mass, therefore, nitrogen fertilizers are used only in spring and summer. You need to spread fertilizer evenly, preferably using a special machine.
4. The next step is the frequent collection of fallen leaves. Under the snow, the lawn should go clean.
5. Add damaged areas in summer. Loosen the soil with a hoe as deep as possible, sow with seeds and mulch.
After all these activities, the lawn after winter should be beautiful and evenly green..
If the lawn is still blown out
Damping out is the process of death of the lawn cover due to freezing. With severe frosts, plant cells are dehydrated, the water contained in them freezes. In case of mechanical damage, the leaves die off partially or completely. Lost areas of the lawn appear as brown spots on a green background. Such areas are most often observed at the edges of paths, in depressions, on hillocks..
To restore areas of a lawn that has fallen out, remove the leaves of the plant, loosen the ground with a hoe. Then add 1–2 cm of fertile soil and scatter lawn seeds. Mulch. After that, the areas to be restored are watered so that the soil is constantly moist until the seeds germinate. Then watering is reduced and when the lawn grass rises by 10-13 cm, mowing is carried out. Next, we look after the entire lawn area.
What to do if your lawn is damaged by fungal diseases
Fungal diseases that often affect the lawn after winter:
Snow mold(Fusarium nivale) – more common in autumn. It looks like this: watery spots 4–6 cm in diameter appear on the grass, yellow-orange-brown in color in the middle and dark brown at the edges. Then they increase to 25 cm. At high air humidity (fog or dew), a gray-pink bloom appears on the areas affected by snow mold. This disease can develop even under a layer of snow..
Leaf spot(Drechslera poae) – looks like small brownish spots on the leaves, which further increase in size and acquire an unsightly reticular structure. At the same time, the edges of the leaves turn yellow. Spotting occurs more often in autumn or spring. Leafy sheaths and root neck are affected, then the plants die..
Root rot(Gerlachia nivalis, Fusarium spp.) – causes severe damage to the lawn. Symptoms: Yellow to dark brown wet spots appearing on the grass. The spots quickly grow in size. Fungal plaque is observed along the edges (white stripes). The fungus spreads under the snow. Time of defeat from fall to spring.
Fungal diseases can only be controlled with chemicals specially formulated for lawns. To do this, process the surface according to the instructions. Then you follow the same steps to resuscitate the lawn as you did when damping.
Disease prevention consists in cutting and harvesting the grass in the fall, which reduces the percentage of these diseases in the spring..
Here are some more tips on how to save your lawn in winter:
- Do not walk on the lawn in freezing conditions.
- Break ice crust when icing.
- Pour snow from the paths onto the lawn.
- Don’t make an ice rink.
- Cover the pits with earth.
All this contributes to the preservation of a beautiful lawn after wintering. If all the work to prepare for winter is done correctly, in the spring the lawn will delight you with its juicy bright greenery..
What are the best practices for preparing my lawn for cold weather? How can I ensure that my lawn stays healthy and well-maintained during the winter months? Are there specific steps or techniques I should follow to protect it from harsh winter conditions? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
To prepare your lawn for cold weather, there are a few best practices to follow. Firstly, it’s crucial to keep your lawn well-maintained throughout the fall, including regular mowing and removing fallen leaves. This will prevent the accumulation of debris that can suffocate the grass during winter. Secondly, fertilize your lawn to ensure it receives necessary nutrients before entering the dormant period. Next, aerate the soil to improve water and airflow, which helps prevent compaction. Additionally, it’s recommended to overseed your lawn with cold-tolerant grass varieties to fill in any bare spots. Before the first frost, water your lawn deeply but less frequently to strengthen the roots. Lastly, avoid foot traffic when the ground is frozen as it can cause damage. By following these steps, you can protect your lawn from winter conditions and promote its healthy growth in the following seasons.
To prepare your lawn for cold weather, it is important to keep it well-maintained by regular mowing and leaf removal. Additionally, fertilize your lawn for necessary nutrients, aerate the soil for better water flow, and overseed with cold-tolerant grass varieties. Before the first frost, water deeply but less frequently to strengthen the roots. Finally, avoid foot traffic on frozen ground to prevent damage. Following these practices will help protect your lawn during winter and ensure its healthy growth in the future.
To prepare your lawn for cold weather and ensure it stays healthy during winter months, there are several best practices you can follow. Firstly, continue with regular mowing until the grass stops growing to prevent it from getting too long and prone to diseases. Aerate the soil to improve air and water flow, and apply a high-potassium fertilizer to strengthen the grass roots before winter sets in. Remove any debris or fallen leaves to prevent mold growth and disease. Overseed bare patches to ensure a thick, healthy lawn. Before the first frost, water deeply to hydrate the grass roots before they go dormant. Finally, avoid walking on frozen grass to prevent damage. By following these steps, you can protect your lawn from harsh winter conditions and ensure it stays healthy and well-maintained.