As the weather cools down, it’s time to make plans for lawn winterization. Even though Florida experiences mild winters compared to the rest of the country, homeowners still need to take steps to keep their lawns healthy year-round. There’s more to it than watering! Lawns require a careful balance of nutrients, water, sunlight, and pest control to look and grow their best even when the weather starts to cool off.
With a little help and expertise from Bug Out, you can rest assured that your lawn gets the customized care it needs year-round.
What Goes Into Lawn Winterization
Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance is an important part of lawn winterization, but you’ll need to make a few changes to your process as the weather cools down:
- Lawn aeration involves poking holes in your lawn at strategic points. This allows water and nutrients to reach the roots more easily, giving them a boost for the cold weather.
- Plant a new type of grass to increase your lawn’s chances of survival. Certain grasses, such as rye or bluegrass, tolerate cold better than others.
- Grow your lawn out a little to protect the roots from a freeze. Careful, though; pests like to hide in an overgrown lawn.
- Change up your watering schedule to optimize water absorption. Aim for the early morning, before the sun comes up, to minimize both evaporation and freezing. It’s also a great time to make sure your sprinklers are working properly if you have them.
- Give your lawn some fertilizer before the weather starts to cool. This will give it extra strength to face the winter, but using fertilizer too late in the season might encourage new growth, which is more vulnerable to freezing.
- If you don’t have time to do it yourself, call the professionals at Bug Out to set up a lawn care regimen that suits your yard best.
How to Water Your Lawn in Winter
Cut back on watering your lawn during the winter, but don’t stop. Your lawn will generally need water once a week in wintertime, though of course, this will vary. Your lawn may need more or less frequent watering; keep an eye on its coloration to make sure it’s getting enough.
The Best Time of Day to Water Your Lawn
Regardless of the time of year, it’s best to water your lawn before the sun comes up. Water evaporates quickly once it’s in direct sunlight, so watering before sunrise gives your lawn a head start on hydration for the day. During winter, this also helps you avoid the low temperatures that occur at night, preventing a potential freeze that could damage your grass.
Other Common Winter Lawn Problems
Pests, weeds, and fungal growth are other things you need to keep in mind while preparing your lawn for winterization. If you notice any of these unwanted guests taking up space in your lawn, make sure to call a professional.
- Fire ant mounds and other pests are a common sight in Jacksonville FL lawns. They can easily damage your lawn and make it look worse. Luckily, the pros at Bug Out are only a call away. If you’re dealing with lawn pests, don’t hesitate to call.
- Fungus growth like brown patch fungus is also common in coastal areas during the colder months. At first glance, this fungus resembles mud or a discolored patch of grass. There’s no DIY solution; if you think you have brown patch fungus in your yard, call a professional to treat it.
- Weeds are inevitable but there are a few things you can do to keep them down. Weeds will appear wherever they can, so if your lawn is thin in places, weeds will likely appear there. Reseeding and changing your lawn care process can make a big difference when it comes to weed control. Most importantly, if you see weeds, pull them up (or at least cut them down.)
Ready to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter? Call Bug Out
Winterizing your lawn goes a long way toward maintaining its overall health. Whether or not you know what your lawn needs, the Bug Out team can take care of it. Even though coastal winters are mild, plants need a little extra help to make it through and look their best.
Give us a call today and we’ll help you build a customized lawn care plan for the winter season!
