What To Do With Your Lawn After Winter?

Published: January 1, 2024/Last Updated November 29, 2023

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When winter ends and spring begins, it’s as if the whole earth has been sleeping for months and suddenly awakens. As soon as the snow melts, the grass and flowers can return. From winter to spring, your lawn goes through a dramatic transformation, making this a crucial period for lawn maintenance.

Read this blog post for simple advice on how to restore your lawn’s health and beauty. We’ve got straightforward advice and tips to make your lawn look great, whether you’re a rookie gardener or have been at it for a while.

Ways to Bring Back Your Lawn from Winter

Thatch is the dead layer of detritus that accumulates at the grass’s base over time, and it needs to be raked out vigorously every spring. After that, you should aerate the soil.

Manicured to perfection, it rivals the best golf courses, according to some. For some, it’s nothing more than a green, grassy area for their children to run around on. However, if your grass isn’t looking its best, spring is the best time to fix it.

Your grass went through a lot this winter with all the snow, ice, and wind. Now that spring has arrived to thaw the ground; you should take stock of your lawn and determine what needs to be done to get it back to its lush, green best. It might be able to recover on its own, but it might not.

Here are some ways to get your grass ready for the warmer weather.

Get Rid of Your Winter Garbage

Your yard may look and feel drab and dead after the winter months have passed. Cleaning up any debris from recent winter storms or strong winds is a good place to start. The potential of the soil to produce lush grass or brilliant blooms can be hindered by leaves and branches.

There is a considerable likelihood that your lawn will need a deep cleaning due to the accumulation of leaves, grime, and debris. Remove everything that has settled on the grass using your hand tools or a blower. It’s time to get rid of any plants, bushes, or trees that didn’t make it through the winter.

Spend some time cleaning up your lawn by removing dead leaves (either by hand or with a leaf blower or riding mower), trimming any overgrown trees, and pulling any weeds that may have emerged over the winter. This will give your yard a new lease on life as spring turns to summer and revitalise the aesthetics of your property.

Here’s how to get rid of your garbage from the winter:

Remove the rock salt and ice melt from the area.
Trim back the bushes and trees.
Get rid of the trash and the dead things.
Remove annuals and cut back perennials.
Suppress weeds
Remove snow mould

Fill in the Holes

Your outdoor space may need some time to recuperate from the harsh winter months. If you have any empty spots in your lawn, planting new seeds is a proven way to give your yard a facelift.

Greenery gets a jump start in the warmer months when it is seeded, and the current foliage is revitalised at the same time. You may ensure long-lasting, high-quality results by spending money on a high-quality seeder, giving your project ample time for careful planning, and tending to it as it matures.

Learn how to reseed bare areas successfully.

Loosen the soil, add fertiliser, rake it in, seed it, water it, and mow it when it’s ready.

Put down some high-nitrogen fertiliser as soon as spring arrives

Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to give your outside space a new look and feel. Get the groundwork right so you can spend more time outside during the warmer months. One of the finest ways to restore your yard’s beauty after the winter is to apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser. Compost is another environmentally beneficial solution for grass fertilisation. An effective and simple solution is to use a compost spreader to spread the material over a wide area.

Grass, plants, and trees can benefit greatly from the nutrient boost provided by high-nitrogen fertilisers. This encourages strong root development and new branch growth, keeping your garden looking lush and beautiful all summer long. If you want your fertiliser to have the greatest impact, apply it in the spring before the leaves emerge and growth begins above ground.

Over-application might upset the delicate balance of natural nutrients, so make sure to follow the guidelines carefully. Maintaining a beautiful lawn year after year may be as easy as performing this one routine task annually.

Instructions for Spring Fertiliser Use

Before feeding, wait several days to mow the lawn.
Be sure to give your lawn a good soaking with water before you feed it.
Fertilise your grass only when it’s dry, not when it’s hot or raining heavily.
Find out what kind of fertiliser your soil needs.
Fertilisers containing 50% or more slow-release nitrogen should be used.
The fertiliser bag comes with instructions, so make sure you read and follow them.
Find the right spreader for your grass by asking around.
Fertiliser should be applied using a spreader set according to the instructions on the bag.
Just like when you mow the grass, you should fertilise your lawn in straight lines that overlap slightly.
Overapplication can be avoided by turning off the spreader whenever you overlap, turn, or stop. Keep your normal gait and keep an eye on the spreader.
The bag of leftover fertiliser should be kept in a cold, dry place, out of reach of youngsters and pets.

Remove All Brown Grass

Because of the weight of the snow and ice, your grass probably became matted and flattened over the winter. Some of the grass may have died, even though it will begin to grow anew as spring progresses. The first mowing may also leave behind an excessive amount of grass trimmings. Less than half an inch of clippings is optimal, as more than that can hinder the soil from absorbing vital nutrients. Raking the dead grass off your lawn is an option for dethatching if you have a lot of it. Using the rake, get rid of the debris and the dead grass so that the soil and the growing grass may get some air and nutrients.

Dealing with Weeds and Their Seeds

The weeds and seeds that were left over from the previous year begin to sprout as your grass begins to recuperate from the winter. Now is the moment for extreme efforts to combat the spread of weeds. If you notice any weeds sprouting again, don’t hesitate to pluck them out. Preventative steps should be taken for any seeds that may be germinating or awakening in the soil. You can prevent future weed growth by applying a herbicide to your lawn before weed seeds germinate. Cornmeal is one example of a non-chemical method that can be used for preventative weed control. It’s important to have this done before the onset of weed-promoting watering and fertilisation.

Add Nutrients

After repairing the bald spots and raking up the debris, fertiliser can be applied to the lawn. Probably in the fall, you stopped feeding your garden with fertiliser, mulch, and water. Now that spring has arrived, it is time to replenish the lawn’s nutrients. The lawn and garden beds should be fertilised.

In the absence of edging, mulch provides a clean, finished aspect to flower beds and tree circumferences. It’s ideal to water the lawn first thing in the morning, but do just what is necessary. Even with seeds and sod, this holds true. The sun will evaporate much of the water if you water in the middle of the day.

Maintain a High Standard of Care

Make frequent mowing a priority to keep your lawn looking great from spring into summer. Your grass should get at most three inches until the fall. Fertilise in spurts; continuous dosing might encourage the growth of unwanted weeds and pests.

Remove the Snow Mould

One item to keep an eye out for after winter is snow mould, a fungus that thrives in colder climates and leaves behind grey areas or splotches where snow once was. Raking the lawn can help release matted grass and speed up the drying process if snow mould is present. Overseeding can help the grass grow and cover bare spots.

Throw Away Any Extra De-Icing Salt

De-icing salt can be harmful to grass close to sidewalks and roadways in areas with cold winters. Instead of using salt, you can add calcium and sulphur to the soil by spreading a thin coating of granular or pelletised gypsum. Completely saturate with water. Sand or cat litter could be used in place of salt in the future to reduce the risk of damage.

Aerate and Dethatch the Lawn

In the spring, you should give your lawn a thorough, hard raking to get rid of the dead layer of detritus known as thatch that accumulates at the grass’s base. After that, you should aerate the soil. A group of friends or neighbours can go in on a day-long gas-powered rental. Alternatively, you could use a core aerator that requires physical labour. This breaks up the soil and improves the flow of water and air to the roots.

Overseed

Spread a thin layer of compost after aerating, then rake it in. The grass can be overseeded now to fill in the gaps. Spring tends to be the wetter season. If you don’t, you’ll need to water the freshly overseeded lawn every day for the next five to six weeks to ensure it survives and thrives.

After a long, cold winter, getting your grass back in shape may be challenging. Maintaining a watchful eye over your grass is an important step in fostering its growth. When you overseed, you distribute grass seed over an already established lawn. This helps strengthen areas where thinness has developed due to weather or other factors like a lack of sunlight.

In addition to enhancing the health and aesthetic appeal of your lawn, regular overseeding introduces new grass species. In order to have a healthier, greener, and more beautiful outdoor space this spring, it is important to oversee your lawn immediately.

When spring arrives, it’s time to oversee your lawn.

Lawn sizing calculator
Reduce the length of the grass and plant high-quality grass seed.
Fix pre-existing lawn issues
Lawn soil needs to be improved.
Properly disperse the seed
Give the grass some food, water, and TLC.

Repairing the Boardwalk

Your sidewalk probably needs repair after the harsh winter. Repairing the walkway is a great method to give your entire yard a facelift. First, sweep the walkway clean of leaves, sticks, and other debris, as well as any accumulated dirt or weeds from the winter.

Be sure to smooth out any divots or dips in the earth that formed when the soil expanded when it was frozen. Small cracks or settled pieces can be patched using paving sand or gravel, but new stepping stones or bricks should be used for larger restorations. Always use caution when working with cement and mortar; wear protective gear such as gloves and long pants.

Finally, using a stiff brush, sweep away any remaining dirt and loose particles to create a flat, obstacle-free surface. After winter is over, take advantage of the opportunity to revitalise your outdoor space by transforming a footpath or hiring a professional landscaper.

Conclusion

Spring is a pivotal time for lawn care as it ushers in a new growing season for grass and flowers. You may improve the health and appearance of your lawn by aerating the soil and raking up the thatch, the layer of dead debris that builds up at the base of the grass.

You can assess your yard and decide what needs to be done to get it ready for the warmer weather. Remove fallen leaves, prune back overgrown shrubs, and dig up any weeds that may have sprouted over the cold season. You may refresh your lawn’s appearance by planting new seeds in bare patches. Spending money on a high-quality seeder, allocating plenty of time for meticulous planning, and maintaining mature results will guarantee long-lasting, high-quality outcomes.

To properly reseed bare areas, loosen the soil, add fertiliser, rake it in, seed it, water it, and mow it when it is ready. As soon as spring begins, use a compost spreader to apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser throughout a large area. Follow the directions on the bag of fertiliser and wait a few days before mowing the lawn after fertilising it in the spring. Spread the fertiliser out in straight lines that slightly overlap, then store the unused bag in a cool, dry area where children and dogs can’t get to it.

Your grass is matted and flattened, and some of it has even died, thanks to the cold weather. The solution is to rake up all the brown grass and get rid of it. Herbicides, such as cornmeal, can be used as a preventative step before the introduction of water and fertiliser, which can encourage the growth of weeds. Fix bare spots and rake-up leaves to give your landscape a boost. Mulch can be used to finish off the edges of flower beds neatly and around the trunks of trees. If required, water the lawn first thing in the morning. Mow frequently and fertilise in bursts to maintain a healthy lawn.

Raking the lawn to untangle the grass and hasten the drying process is an effective method for removing snow mould. By amending the soil with calcium and sulphur, you can reduce your need for de-icing salt. Remove thatch and stimulate soil drainage by raking the lawn thoroughly. After aerating and raking in the compost, I oversaw the lawn.

Maintaining a watchful eye on your lawn is essential if you want to encourage growth and introduce new grass varieties. Overseeding helps thicken patches that have thinned out from weather or other causes. Overseeding your lawn regularly promotes new grass varieties and improves the health and aesthetics of your lawn.

In the spring, it’s essential to manage your lawn by cutting it shorter, growing new grass seed, addressing any problems that have developed during the winter, and repairing the walkway. Walkways should be cleaned, divots and dips filled, and minor cracks and holes patched with paving sand or gravel. Finally, after removing any debris, the area should be swept clean.

Content Summary

The end of winter is a pivotal period for grass care.
The layer of debris known as “thatch” should be thoroughly swept away every spring.
If you want a healthier lawn, aerate the soil.
Rejuvenating your grass in the spring is a must.
Pick up trash left by winter storms and high winds.
Get rid of the leaves, dirt, and other trash that’s lying around.
Remove weeds, prune trees, and spruce up your yard’s appearance.
Take away the rock salt, and the ice will quickly melt.
Clear the area of overgrown bushes and trees.
Get rid of all the dead bushes and plants.
Take out the annuals and prune the perennials.
Stop the spread of weeds.
Solve the snow mould problem.
A patchy lawn can be remedied by planting the bare areas.
It’s time to turn the soil, sow the seed, irrigate it, and mow it.
In the spring, use a fertiliser with a lot of nitrogen.
Eco-friendly grass fertilisation options include using compost.
For optimal results, fertiliser should be used before leaf development.
It’s springtime, so use fertiliser as directed.
Constantly water your lawn before applying fertiliser.
Don’t fertilise amid a downpour; instead, wait until the grass is dry.
Find out what your soil needs in terms of fertiliser.
Fertilisers should have a slow-release nitrogen content of at least 50%.
To use fertiliser properly, refer to the package directions.
Spreader selection should be made based on grass type.
Spread the fertiliser in overlapping straight lines throughout the lawn.
Take care not to overuse it.
Keep unused fertiliser in a secure location.
Clear away the snow and ice that has compacted the grass.
To let air and nutrients in, rake up the grass cuttings that have accumulated.
Fight weeds as they appear and pull them out.
Control weeds with pesticides or other non-chemical means.
After you’re done picking up, give the grass some food.
The grass and flower beds need to be fertilised.
Evaporation can be reduced by watering in the morning.
Keep up with regular mowing, but cut back on the fertiliser.
Take action against snow mould by raking and overseeding the area.
To protect the grass, calcium and sulphur should be used instead of de-icing salt.
The lawn needs aerating and dethatching.
To strengthen your grass and fill in bare spots, overseed.

FAQs About Garden Maintenance

Should I Apply A Pre-Emergent Herbicide After Winter To Prevent Weeds?

Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied in early spring to prevent weed growth. Follow the product’s instructions carefully.

How Do I Deal With Thatch Buildup On My Lawn After Winter?

If thatch is more than half an inch thick, consider dethatching. This process helps remove the layer of dead grass and organic matter.

Is It Essential To Address Soil Ph After Winter, And How Can I Do It?

Checking and adjusting soil pH is essential for optimal grass growth. You can test the pH and amend it with lime if needed.

Can Wet Grass Cause a Lawn Mower Not To Start?

Grass clippings can get clogged in the mower deck, which can prevent the blade from turning. This is a common problem if you’ve cut wet grass or let the lawn get especially long and bushy between cuttings. If the cord is hard to pull, that’s a good sign that there’s debris clogging up your mower’s deck.