The woolly jumpers are on, the nights are dark, cold & wet - it's winter in the UK!
Winter can be a tough time for your lawn, with frost, cold weather, and limited sunlight all taking a toll on the grass but you can keep it looking good throughout winter.
With a little extra care, you can protect and maintain your lawn throughout the winter, ensuring it's ready to thrive when spring rolls around.
1) Aerate your lawn
Aerate your lawn at least once a year. This allows the soil beneath the grass to breathe and allows frost to reach the ground, which helps break up soil compaction.
Focus on hard or damp areas of the lawn to alleviate any problems.
Lawn aeration is a process that involves using a tool, such as an aerator, to create small holes in the soil. These holes, also known as "cores," allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass, helping to improve the health and appearance of the lawn.
There are several benefits to aerating your lawn:
- Improves soil drainage: Aeration helps to break up soil compaction, which can occur when the soil is packed down by foot traffic, heavy machinery, or the weight of snow and frost. This allows water and air to reach the roots of the grass, improving drainage and helping the grass grow more vigorously.
- Encourages root growth: By creating cores in the soil, aeration allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger. This helps the grass better withstand drought, disease, and other stressors, making it more resilient overall.
- Increases nutrient uptake: Aeration helps to loosen the soil, making it easier for the grass to absorb nutrients from fertilisers. This can help improve the overall health and appearance of the lawn.
- Reduces thatch build-up: Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic matter that can build up on the surface of the soil. While a small amount of thatch is natural and beneficial, excessive thatch can interfere with the growth of the grass. Aeration helps to break up thatch and allows air and water to reach the roots, reducing the risk of thatch build-up.
To aerate your lawn, you'll need an aerator tool, which can be rented or purchased at a garden centre. Simply use the tool to punch holes into the soil at regular intervals, being careful not to damage the roots of the grass.
Aeration is typically best done in the Autumn or Spring when the weather is cooler and the grass is not under stress. Most lawns benefit from aeration at least once a year, although heavily used or compacted lawns may benefit from more frequent aeration.
2) Keep on mowing
Keep mowing your lawn, even in the winter. This discourages pests from settling in the long grass and allows the grass to breathe.
Set your lawn mower blades a little higher than usual and mow less frequently than in the summer.
While it may seem counterintuitive to mow your lawn during the winter when the grass is dormant and not actively growing, there are several benefits to doing so:
- Removes dead grass and leaves: Mowing helps remove dead grass and leaves from the surface of the lawn, which can harbour pests and diseases. This can help improve the overall health of the grass and prevent problems from occurring.
- Allows sunlight to reach the grass: Mowing helps expose the grass to sunlight, which is important for photosynthesis. This can help the grass recover from any damage and encourage new growth when the weather warms up.
- Discourages pests: By mowing the grass, you'll make it less attractive to pests that may be seeking shelter in the long grass. This can help prevent pests from setting up home on your lawn and causing problems.
- Allows the grass to breathe: Mowing helps open up the pores of the grass, allowing air and moisture to reach the roots. This can help the grass stay healthy and strong throughout the winter.
When mowing your lawn during the winter, be sure to set your mower blades a little higher than usual and mow less frequently than in the summer.
This will help minimize stress on the grass and prevent damage. Also, be sure to avoid mowing if the grass is wet or frosty, as this can damage the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.
3) Fix those patches
If your lawn has thin or bare spots, fertilisers won't do much to help. Instead, consider applying grass seed to these areas to encourage new growth and help fill in the gaps in your lawn.
Here are some benefits to seeding your lawn:
- Encourages new growth: Applying grass seed to bare or damaged patches of grass will help encourage new growth and help fill in the gaps. This can help improve the overall appearance and health of your lawn.
- Can be less expensive than turf: If you have a large area of bare or damaged grass, re-turf (replacing the grass with new turf) can be expensive. Seeding is typically less expensive and can be just as effective at filling in bare spots.
- Can be done at any time of year: While the best time to seed your lawn is typically in the Autumn (late August to mid-September), grass seed can be applied at any time of year as long as the soil is not frozen and the weather is not too dry or hot. This makes it a convenient option for filling bare spots in.
To seed your lawn, first prepare the area by removing any weeds or debris and raking the soil to loosen it. Then, apply the seed according to the package instructions, using a seed spreader if necessary to ensure even coverage.
After seeding, be sure to water the grass regularly (but not too heavily) to help the seed germinate and grow. Keep an eye on the seedlings as they grow and thin them out if necessary to prevent overcrowding.
3) Got leaves? Rake them away!
During the autumn, leaves can fall thick and fast, and if left on your lawn, they can block out light and moisture, preventing the grass from growing.
Raking away the leaves helps open up pores for the root system below and allows the grass to breathe. It also helps prevent pests from setting up home in the long grass.
Here are some benefits of raking your lawn:
- Improves the appearance of your lawn: Raking helps keep your lawn looking tidy and well-maintained, especially during the autumn when leaves can accumulate quickly.
- Allows light and moisture to reach the grass: By removing leaves and other debris from the surface of the lawn, you'll help allow sunlight and moisture to reach the grass. This can help the grass grow more vigorously and stay healthy throughout the winter.
- Prevents pests: As mentioned, raking helps prevent pests from setting up a home in the long grass. This can help protect the health of your lawn and prevent problems from occurring.
To rake your lawn, simply use a rake or leaf blower to remove the leaves from the surface of the grass. Try to do this around once or twice a week to stay on top of the leaves and keep your lawn looking its best.
Be sure to dispose of the leaves properly by composting them or bagging them up for disposal in your garden waste bin.
4) Stay off the lawn
Winter is a good time to take a break from activities that put heavy wear and tear on your lawn, such as sports or outdoor parties. Limiting traffic on the grass will help prevent damage, especially if the ground is frozen or covered in snow.
Here are some benefits of limiting traffic on your lawn:
- Prevents damage: By limiting traffic on the grass, you'll help prevent damage caused by foot traffic or heavy machinery. This is especially important during the winter when the grass is dormant and more susceptible to damage.
- Protects the health of the grass: Excessive traffic can cause the grass to become compacted, which can lead to poor drainage and reduced nutrient uptake. Limiting traffic on the lawn can help protect the health of the grass and prevent problems from occurring.
- Allows the grass to recover: Winter is a good time for the grass to rest and recover from any damage it may have sustained during the growing season. Limiting traffic on the lawn can help the grass recover and prepare for new growth in the spring.
Consider placing a sign on communal lawns to let others know to stay off the grass.
You can also consider setting up alternative areas for activities such as sports or parties, to help protect the grass from heavy wear and tear.
5) Get rid of weeds.
While the cold weather may slow the growth of lawn weeds, they can still survive frost and thrive in the winter.
To keep weeds at bay, it's important to take action to prevent them from becoming a problem.
- Prevents weeds from establishing a foothold: By digging out weeds when they're small, you'll help prevent them from establishing a strong root system and taking over your lawn.
- Reduces the need for herbicides: If you catch weeds early, you may be able to remove them by hand or with a weeder tool, reducing the need for herbicides.
- Helps improve the appearance of your lawn: Weeds can be unsightly and can make your lawn look unkempt. By removing them, you'll help keep your lawn looking its best.
To keep on top of weeds during the winter, be sure to dig out any larger weeds by hand or with a weeding tool.
Also, consider applying a long-lasting weed killer in the Autumn to help prevent weed seeds from germinating. Just be sure to follow the label instructions carefully to avoid damaging your grass.
5) Rake, rake & rake some more.
Raking your lawn during the winter helps remove leaves and other debris from the surface of the grass, allowing sunlight and moisture to reach the grass and helping it stay healthy.
It also helps improve the appearance of your lawn and prevents pests from setting up home in the long grass.
- Allows sunlight and moisture to reach the grass: By removing leaves and other debris from the surface of the grass, you'll help allow sunlight and moisture to reach the grass. This can help the grass grow more vigorously and stay healthy throughout the winter.
- Improves the appearance of your lawn: Raking helps keep your lawn looking tidy and well-maintained, especially during the autumn when leaves can accumulate quickly.
- Prevents pests: As mentioned, raking helps prevent pests (like moss) from setting up home in the long grass. This can help protect the health of your lawn and prevent problems from occurring.
Try to do this around once or twice a week to stay on top of the leaves and keep your lawn looking its best. Be sure to dispose of the leaves properly (compost or garden waste bin)
6) Fertilise & protect
While the cold weather may slow the growth of your grass, it's still important to provide it with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong.
Fertilizing your lawn during the winter can help provide the grass with the nutrients it needs to recover from any damage it may have sustained during the growing season and prepare for new growth in the spring.
- Helps the grass recover from damage: Fertilizing your lawn during the winter can help provide the grass with the nutrients it needs to recover from any damage it may have sustained during the growing season.
- Prepares the grass for new growth: By providing the grass with the nutrients it needs, fertilizing your lawn during the winter can help it prepare for new growth in the spring.
- Improves the overall health of the grass: By providing the grass with the nutrients it needs, fertilizing your lawn during the winter can help improve its overall health and appearance.
To fertilise your lawn during the winter, be sure to use a winter-specific fertiliser that is formulated for use during the colder months.
Follow the label instructions carefully and apply the fertiliser according to the recommended rate and frequency.
Be sure to water the lawn after fertilizing to help the nutrients reach the roots of the grass
Don't just leave the lawn this winter
As you can see there is still plenty to do in the Winter that can help your lawn. December, January & February need not be lazy months when it comes to lawn care.
If you prepare and do a little work now in the winter your lawn care workload will be much lighter when the Spring, sunshine, and warmth roll around.
If worst comes to worst and your lawn has suffered during a particularly difficult winter, don't despair. Spring is just around the corner & with a little bit of care and attention, your lawn will be back to its lush, green self in no time.
