From early preparation efforts to ensuring the spring thaw is less likely to cause damage to lawns and landscaped areas, there are numerous ways that home and property owners may be able to minimize any concerns caused by colder weather. The following lawn-care tips can help to ensure the winter season is less likely to cause problems.
1. Finish Raking Fall Leaves
Some of the best winter care tips focus on preparing for the coming cold. Failing to remove fall foliage prior to the first snow could pose a serious risk to some types of plants and grasses. Good year-round lawn care helps to ensure that winter concerns are less likely to become an issue.
2. Prep Irrigation Systems for Cold Weather
Failing to prep an outdoor irrigation system for cold weather can drastically increase the risk of frozen fixtures and burst pipes. Inspecting and serving equipment on a seasonal basis and taking specific steps, like dripping faucets or wrapping exterior pipes, can minimize the risk of flooding or damaged irrigation components.
3. Avoid Walking on Frozen Lawns
Treading back and forth over frozen areas and snow-covered lawns can place considerable pressure on the plants, grasses and soil. Minimizing exposure helps to ensure that lawns are able to survive the season intact and unharmed. The installation of walkways, established paths or other hardscaped installations that make it easier to stay off the lawn can often be an ideal solution, especially for home and property owners who have had to deal with pressure damage in the past.
4. Repair Damage Early
Taking steps to fill in ruts, repair divots and to address any damage done by cold weather as early as possible can make a world of difference. Waiting too long following the first thaw increases the risk that damage may become more extensive, serious or harder to repair. Assessing the state of landscaped environments at the first opportunity and making sure that all repairs and upgrades are able to be completed without delay may be of paramount importance in terms of ensuring lawns are able to be properly maintained.
5. Proper Drainage is Essential
While proper drainage is a major concern throughout the year, the greater volumes of runoff that may be expected when snows begin to melt may result in considerable damage in situations where drainage is less than ideal. Waiting until after the winter starts often means that it may be too late to address any problems or to make upgrades and improvements that could make a difference in the spring. Major installations, such as a french drain or efforts to improve the slope and gradient of a lawn, are often needed to ensure winter runoff can be channeled more safely and effectively.
