Daylight may be running short, but there’s still work to be done if you want a lush lawn next year. Whether you take a do-it-yourself approach, or you want professional help, following these best practices for winterizing your lawn will help see your yard through the toughest of Minnesota winters and into the spring.

Fall is When to Winterize Your Lawn

While it’s helpful to take good care of your yard no matter what month it is, the most important work happens in the fall months. In Minnesota, where we experience a shortened fall season, time is critical, so you must plan ahead to avoid costly mistakes.

Keep Up with Those Leaves

If you want a healthy lawn come spring, you better keep up with your falling leaves like it’s an Olympic sport in the fall. Raking helps remove thatch, which will provide more nutrients and water to the roots of your living grass, plants and trees. Too many leaves on the ground can inhibit lawn growth in the spring. However, rather than raking and having your leaves hauled away in a trash truck, mulching your leaves is the ideal choice. Mulching will return rich nutrients to your yard without causing issues come springtime and it’s also better for the environment.

Fertilizer is a Year-Round Endeavor

Having the right ratio of macronutrients feeding your yard is the key to unlocking the full potential of fertilizer. But beware of over-fertilizing, especially as the growing season fades into winter. You don’t want to accidentally burn patches of your lawn, so it’s recommended you work with lawn winterization experts who specialize in planning, testing, applying, monitoring, and adjusting their fertilizer services, as needed.

Using the Right Grass Seed

While it’s often a good idea to spread new grass seed in the fall, it’s equally important to use the right kind of seed to get the best results. Not all grass seed is equipped to withstand the blistering winter conditions that are common throughout the Upper Midwest. 

For example, Kentucky bluegrass is popular for withstanding extreme temperatures whereas Bermuda is considered a warm-climate grass that is more appropriate for southern climates and spreading throughout the spring months. For best results, cold-climate grass seed should be spread at least six weeks prior to the first frost of the season, as the new seed will go dormant when your ground soil dips below 40℉.

Mulch and Weeding Goes a Long Way

With the plants you cannot move indoors during winter, you want to provide as much insulation to your top layer of soil as possible. Spreading new mulch is a great way to achieve this, especially around trees. This is because tree roots take longer to go dormant in the soil than buds and plants. A thick layer of mulch will also help control the soil temperature around the tree, preventing unnecessary heaving.

Even as you enter the winter months, pulling your weeds remains important. After all, you don’t want your unwanted weeds competing for vital nutrients with your grass and plants that need the boost.

Unlock Amazing Results with Core Aeration

One of the top ways to winterize any lawn in the Upper Midwest is with core aeration, the most natural and effective way to aerate your lawn. This service removes plugs of soil, giving roots the space they need to thrive. This will help make your yard less patchy and you won’t have all the brown spots.

Enlist the Experts to Winterize Your Lawn

By following the lawn winterization tips above, you will position yourself to have a more beautiful and lush yard in the spring that will be easier to maintain. If you want professionals for a single job — like core aeration — or robust lawn care and winterization services, contact our team. Our Twin Cities-based experts are happy to give you however much support you require to help you achieve and maintain the lawn of your dreams.