You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the first thing people notice when they arrive at your home or business is the front lawn. Some homeowners go to great lengths to keep up with lawn care during the spring and summer months, but neglect to care for their grass in the colder months. The experts of Lawn Surgeon—Cromwell, CT’s premier residential and commercial landscaping company—have been nurturing local lawns year round for more than 30 years.

Here, their team offers professional insight into the best ways to care for your lawn in the winter, so you’re greeted by a lush, green yard when spring arrives.

5 Winter Lawn Care Tips

1. Cut Grass Shorter

Towards the end of summer, gradually begin shortening the height of your grass. Keeping grass tall makes it more inviting for mice and other rodents to burrow and build nests on your lawn, resulting in dead patches of grass.

2. Prep Your Lawn

Aerate your lawn in the fall, during the growing season. Removing soil plugs will open up the yard and allow the ground to become enriched by water and other nutrients.

3. Use Fertilizer In Fall

Cool weather grass—found on the majority of American lawns—should be fertilized in late fall or early winter, before the first frost. This will help sustain the grass during the winter and replenish nutrients lost during the hot summer months.

4. Clean Up

Remove all debris and objects from the grass before winter rolls in. This includes raking dead leaves, as well as removing toys, sports equipment, and outdoor furniture from all grassy areas.

5. Reduce Foot Traffic

While people are inclined to stick to paths in summer when the grass is healthy and green, they tend to use the grass as a shortcut during winter. Keep sidewalks and paths plowed all winter long to prevent your lawn from being damaged by excessive foot traffic.

It’s not too late to prepare your lawn for the harsh temperatures and snowfalls ahead. Contact The Lawn Surgeon at (860) 635-1127 to talk to one of their specialists about winter care for your landscape. Visit the website to learn about special offers and see a complete list of services, including ice control and snow removal.