Cleaning the Gutters: While the gutters aren’t necessarily part of the lawn, they still play an important role in your lawn. Gutters can easily become clogged with leaves, twigs, acorns, and other things that can blow around. When the snow and ice begins to melt from your roof, it’s going to need a place to go. If the gutters aren’t cleaned prior to winter, and essentially have blockages, there’s a higher chance of the water going into the house. This can lead to not only severe water damage, but pests, such as termites, entering your home.
“If the gutters aren’t cleaned prior to winter, and essentially have blockages, there’s a higher chance of the water going into the house.”
Turn Off Outside Water Sources: Whether you have sprinkler systems or just outside spigots, it’s advised to winterize them by turning off the water to those areas. It’s also important to let any water drain from the pipes after you’ve turned the water off. When water freezes it expands so if the pipes are full of water when it expands there’s a chance it’ll crack the pipe. If this happens the pipe will need to be replaced when the spring comes.
“Whether you have sprinkler systems or just outside spigots, it’s advised to winterize them by turning off the water to those areas.”
Get the Grass Cut: Give your grass one more trim before it starts snowing. Keep the grass around 4 inches high to ensure that the snow can’t damage the roots. This could cause dead patches when the weather warms up. If your lawn is too high, the snow can actually damage the blades and roots, promoting grass diseases during the warmer months.
“Keep the grass around 4 inches high to ensure that the snow can’t damage the roots.”
Apply Some Fertilizer: During the fall it’s recommended to give your lawn some fertilizer that can soak into the leaves and roots during the winter. When the snow melts, the roots will be stronger from the fertilizer. Make sure you use the best fertilizer for your lawn, as some can be damaging. Not sure with fertilizer to use? Let A1 Hardscape help you choose!
“During the fall it’s recommended to give your lawn some fertilizer that can soak into the leaves and roots during the winter.”
Collect All The Leaves: Don’t just leave your leaves scattered on the lawn. Piles of soggy leaves could lead to mold and other issues with your lawn when everything melts. Rake and bag your leaves (or use a mulcher to chop up large piles), and take them to your local township recycling center.
“Rake and bag your leaves (or use a mulcher to chop up large piles), and take them to your local township recycling center.”
