Practicing good lawn and tree care during the colder months is an important step to having a healthy landscape in spring and summer. As temperatures drop and trees shed their leaves across your property, here are some easy ways to make sure your fall and winter maintenance is a breeze.

Landscaping Tips for the Colder Months

1. Clean Up Leaves

Remove fallen leaves from your property before the temperatures dip too far and frost sets in. When left alone, leaves will create a thick blanket that stops grass and plants from receiving necessary sunlight. If they freeze and thaw, they release nitrates and phosphate into your ground and surface water. To use leaves in a productive way, grind them into mulch and spread around trees and other plants to protect them from erosion and weeds.

2. Seed the Grass

The moderate temperatures of autumn are the best conditions for laying new seeds. The root systems develop the most during these colder months, giving new grass a better chance once temperatures begin to rise. Make sure your new turf is getting enough irrigation in the first three weeks after planting for optimal growth and health.

3. Aerate the Soil

Aeration is a necessary step for breaking up soil when it’s too compacted. It is also beneficial for unplugging areas of the ground and grass to allow oxygen, water, and other necessary nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil. Aeration ensures that the seeds you’ve just planted have enough space to stretch.

4. Control Weeds

Fall is an excellent time to remove weeds and stop them from inhibiting grass and flower growth next spring. There are many weeds that sprout in the autumn and just before winter. Leaving them behind can interfere with grass and plant root systems since these invaders will take up space in the soil that seeds need to thrive.

5. Fertilize Greenery

Another lawn and tree care step to take before frost sets in is to fertilize. Fertilizers provide necessary nutrients to existing and new growth to assist their survival through the cold season. When spring comes around, a well-fertilized garden will be green, lush, and beautiful. Make sure your fertilizer contains calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the mix.

For tree care in the Athens, GA, area, Arbor Authority is the tree company to trust. For 20 years, these expert arborists have provided tree trimming, cutting, and removal for properties throughout Clarke and Jackson counties, ensuring that each tree is pruned and healthy and that trouble is handled promptly. To set up an appointment, call (706) 654-6225 or visit them online for a full list of tree services.