Your garden may not be at the top of your agenda through the colder autumn and winter months, however this doesn’t meant that it can be left uncared for and forgotten. Harsh weather conditions including prolonged rainfall, snow, ice and heavy winds can all result in a substantial amount of damage to your plants, lawn and other vegetation.

Although the winter is a relatively quiet time for lawns and turf, it’s important to give it much-needed attention to prevent damage and also prepare it for the next growing season.

To Mow or Not To Mow?

In most cases, the answer is not to mow, especially when a frost is expected or the grass is particularly wet as this will most likely damage your lawn. Should the weather conditions allow it, feel free to get your lawn mower out and give it a once over if it has grown long and unruly. In most cases, a light trim will do just fine as growth will slow dramatically during colder weather conditions.

Your lawn should be rested as much as possible during this time so it’s always best to avoid the use of machinery or excessive foot traffic kept to a minimum.

Aeration is Key

As your lawn endures months of cold weather or long spells or rainfall, the soil will gradually become saturated and later become compact and poorly aerated. You may notice if your lawn is suffering from compaction if it’s beginning to look a little dry and worn, or perhaps it begins to suffer from lawn diseases such as fusarium which causes discolouration and damage to your grass.

To prevent and combat this, pierce small holes within your lawn with a garden fork or spiking machine (also known as an aerator) which you can find at our website. This will relieve compaction as well as improve drainage to the roots leading to a much healthier lawn.

Minimise Leaves and Debris

To make sure your lawn is getting all the sunlight it will require you need to try your best to keep it free from any leaves or debris that may fall across it. Give it a rake over every so often to ensure all areas of your grass can benefit from the sunlight to encourage warmth and growth, especially during the colder winter periods. If you have a large area to keep clear of leaves and debris then consider using a leaf blower or vacuum.

For optimum results in the next growing season, your lawn will need to be cared for throughout the year, regardless of the weather. For the finest quality garden topsoil and turf, visit Rolawn for all of your gardening needs.

Photo Credit: Kaptain Kobold