Six Tips for Winter Lawn Care
by Lorraine Watkins

Whether you live in California or Michigan, attending to lawn maintenance during the winter will keep your grass healthy now and result in a greener lawn in the spring.

1. Remove Debris
   Whether you are preparing for winter snow or rain, be sure to remove leaves and other debris from your grass. Leaves left on top of grass prevent proper drainage and can result in decay. Compost leaves and other organic debris, and you will benefit twice, you get a greener lawn and extra nutrients for your lawn or garden in the spring.
   
   
2. Eliminate Weeds
   Although weeds die back in the fall and winter, remove them now. Whether you use a special lawn weed killer or good, old-fashioned pulling, the work is likely to pay off. Weed seeds are hardy, and they will literally spring to life when they are wet and warm enough. Note: do not add weeds, dead or alive, to compost piles since conditions there are perfect (wet and warm) for nurturing seeds.
   
   
3. Cut your Grass
   While your grass is dry, give it a proper winter cut. For grass that will be snow-covered, a medium length is best. For other areas, a shorter cut is better, allowing more rain to soak into the roots. In all cases, and at all times of year, be sure your mower blades are sharp so you are cutting, not tearing, your grass.
   
   
4. Aerate
   If you have a thatch type grass, aerate it now, before the wet weather arrives. Aeration breaks up thatch and allows better drainage, so surfaces don't trap water causing mold, and roots get the water they need. If you have heavy thatch or a large yard, call a lawn service for this job. Otherwise, purchase lawn care spikes that attach to your shoes (or wear golf shoes,) and aerate your lawn by walking on it.
   
   
5. Treat Problems Promptly
   Think of spots on your grass as equivalent to a fever--both are symptoms of an underlying problem. If you are unsure of the cause of your problem, before applying herbicides or fungicides, use a sharp knife to remove a small divot (including soil) and take it to a lawn care specialist for analysis.
   
   
6. Use the Sidewalk
   Avoid walking on your lawn when it is wet as the roots are less stable then and may become damaged.