3 Tips for Caring for Your Lawn during the Winter Months

Did you know that lawn care is not just for spring and summer? While it's true that your lawn doesn't require as much care in the winter, you definitely don't want to ignore it completely. To ensure that it will be in good shape in the spring, you need to take a few steps in the winter. Our team at Nature's Select^® have put together a list of thing you can be doing now that will pay off when the weather gets warm.

1. Prune Your Trees and Shrubs

For a number of reasons, winter is actually a great time to prune your trees and shrubs. First, branches are more visible in the winter without their foliage in the way. The structure of the tree is seen more distinctively, so branches that are dead or diseased are easier to spot and remove. Another great benefit is that trees are more protected from disease in the winter. Any cut into a tree is just like a cut into skin, thus is an opening for infection. However, because most pests and microbes are dormant in the winter, they are less likely to infect the tree. However, it is important to note that winter trimming is not right for every tree. Trees that flower in the spring, such as lilac, should not be trimmed in the winter. The bloom buds are already set on the branches, thus trimming will cause a loss or reduction of bloom.

2. Keep Your Lawn Clean

Similar to keeping your home clean, it's also important to keep your lawn clean. If you have leaves piled up from the fall, they could suffocate your lawn during the winter months. Also, if the leaves become too wet, they can cause disease in your lawn. A good way to deal with leaves is to use your lawn mower to mulch them into dime-sized pieces that will recycle the nutrients back into your lawn. However, if they've become too wet or thick, you'll need to rake them up and remove them. Finally, be sure to remove any furniture or toys from your lawn before winter really sets in.

3. Avoid Too Much Lawn Traffic

In the winter, your lawn is dormant, which means it is taking a rest from the growing and producing it does in the spring and summer. In order to let it get proper rest, try to avoid walking on it when it is frosted and dormant. Even strong grass can become weak if the same path is walked on too many times.

No matter the season, Nature's Select^® is ready to help you with all your traditional lawn care and select lawn care needs in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Our biological products are effective, eco-friendly, and easy on pollinators. Contact us today to request your free estimate.