When fall arrives, it’s time to start thinking about winter and how it will impact your yard. Several elements of your yard either need to be winterized or could strongly benefit from a few preparatory steps before the frost hits. You can help ensure the life of plants and extend the life of hardscaping elements if you follow these steps to prepare your yard for winter.
The last time you cut your grass should be well before winter. Leave it at 2.5 inches at a minimum, and also leave the grass clippings on the soil. The length helps the grass collect enough nutrients for winter. In addition, the grass clippings will have a chance to decompose over the winter and provide nitrogen in the spring. Also, stop fertilizing to stop promoting the growth of the grass over the winter; it needs to rest. If you want, you can use winter lawn fertilizer, which does not promote lawn growth.
Aeration is a smart thing to consider for lawns in the fall. Aeration involves punching small holes in the lawn to remove thatch and create paths for vital nutrients and beneficial organisms. The lawn fills the holes over time and seeing as it will be winter soon, you probably won’t be walking much on the soil until it has recovered.
If aeration is not an option for you, you can get many of the same benefits from raking. First, rake to pull up the thatch and collect large chunks of debris such as leaves. If you can mulch the leaves until they are small enough to fit between grass shoots, you can return them to the lawn, where they can provide nutrients.
Most patio furniture should be moved into a shed or covered area, but it may also need other care. That largely depends on what it is made from.
You don’t need to seal your patio every year, but maybe this is the year. Sealing your patio ensures that the pavers can continue to drain properly and repel water from their surface. It also allows you to clean off the pavers and restore them to their natural beauty.
MPS Property Services offers many residential services that can help build your outdoor living space. Contact us today.