You may believe Winter is the time to take a break from lawn care or maintenance, but the truth is this is when your landscape needs your help the most! It’s vulnerable and weak when the snow and ice roll in, unable to fully protect itself. Snow is beautiful, calming to watch, and a wonderful backdrop for pretty pictures and outdoor activities. However, it’s also dangerous for your lawn and, if you’re not careful, can be what kills it! The good news is there are many ways to help keep it as strong as possible during this chilly season and prepare it better over the next year before it officially arrives! The best part? You don’t have to do it alone - EKG Lawn Services is here to help! What happens to your landscape in the Winter? Here, in the beautiful state of Virginia, it’s no secret that we see a lot of cold weather when Winter comes. What we don’t always see is what actually happens to our landscape during the transitioning of the seasons. Virginia grasses go dormant in the Winter due to colder temperatures and shorter days, slowing down their growth. As a result, it’s common to see it turn brown, and in especially cold, windy areas, the blades lose their moisture, and roots freeze. Luckily, even though the grass looks dead, it’s still alive! Additionally, if you live in an area with heavy snow or ice, any weak hardscaping could become prey to damage from the inclimate weather. How do I care for my lawn in the Winter? Remove leaves as often as possible. We talk a lot about leaf removal and seasonal cleanups, and the longevity of your landscape is why. Removing leaves as much as possible from your lawn reduces the risk of disease, mold, and pests killing your landscape! Keep your property clear of snow when you can. We are no strangers to that white blanket of snow that comes around every Winter. However, keeping as much snow off your landscape as possible reduces the risk of damage to hard surfaces and moisture or freezing damage to the grass. Avoid allowing heavy traffic on your grass. Keeping yourself and guests off your lawn this time of year isn’t a matter of pride but a matter of health for your landscape. Heavy foot traffic presses down on the already vulnerable blades of grass, causing breakage and excess soil compaction. Only water your lawn when it’s warm enough. Water freezes, that’s a no-brainer - so when you water your lawn during Winter, you’ll cause more ice to develop. However, we do occasionally get warmer days in January, and that’s when you can do a light watering to keep the root systems healthy. How do I prepare for Winter next year? Apply mulch to landscape beds. Your beautiful blooms and lovely greenery are quite eye-catching, but they don’t stand a chance without your protection in the Winter. Applying mulch around these plants, trees, and shrubs will lock in needed heat to ensure they return in the Spring! Opt to fertilize your lawn in late Fall. Unless you’re consistently testing your soil, you don’t know what nutrients it could be lacking. Opting to fertilize your cool-season grasses in late Fall caters to its growth cycle and keeps some of those nutrients within the soil, fettering its chance for survival. Keep Winter in mind when changing or adding to your landscaping. If you decide to make changes to your landscape, no one here is going to stop you. However, planning for the winter months is essential when making those changes. What types of plants you install, the grass you have, and their placement are examples of proper planning. Prune your plants at the right time. Keeping up the aesthetic of your landscape beds by trimming away dead flowers is one thing, but full pruning should take place in Spring or early summer. Proper pruning throughout the year will reduce ice and snow damage to those plants. How can lawn care professionals help me? There’s a lot to keep track of regarding winter lawn prep and caring for it during the coldest months. Unfortunately, if you don’t have experience in landscaping, you’re more likely to make mistakes and cause harm to your lawn! If you don’t know what you’re doing or want to keep your lawn strong during Winter, it’s best to consult a landscape professional. The EKG team puts their heart and soul into their work, creating and maintaining a lawn you love!