Think of winterizing lawns and shrubs as essential lawn maintenance for grasses and plants during their dormant cycle. During dormancy, when metabolic activity subsides, plants are more susceptible to the effects of cold. However, with a little preparation, your favorite plants will be healthier than ever this upcoming spring.

Winterizing the Lawn

Winter Fertilizer

Applying fertilizer in winter as part of your lawn maintenance routine strengthens root structures and gives plants nutrients they can store until spring. Cool-season grasses, like fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, reach their peak near the end of fall. They require an extra dose of potassium to last through the winter.

Aeration

Aeration creates small holes across a lawn, preventing soil from over-compacting and hardening. The holes also allow water and air to reach roots and give them room to grow and strengthen. Aerating also facilitates overseeding. When you reseed an existing lawn, you’ll help dry and patchy areas recover.

Mowing

On the last mow of the season, reduce the height of the mower by a half-inch. Shorter blades of grass encourage stronger root growth. Removing the tops of your grass, which helps blades stay upright in strong winds and from bending over under the weight of falling snow and ice, reduces the chance of disease from breaks and tears.

Winterizing Shrubs

Wrap Them Up

Delicate shrubs—any with brittle or slender branches—should be covered with burlap and twine to protect them from the cold and the wind.

Build a Makeshift Fence

Erect a fence with a few posts, and stretch landscaping fabric or burlap between them to protect shrubs from the wind. If snow has already fallen, shovel it into a pile to act as a barrier between plants and the wind.

Use a Tepee

A tepee is a simple conical structure, usually made of a wire frame and burlap, that protects plants from wind and falling snow. A tepee works well because of its sloped design, but any type of protection that shields shrubs from the elements will do the job.

If you need mulch, fertilizer, stone, gravel, or seed for a lawn maintenance project, talk to the professionals at Landscaper's Corner in Lexington, KY. A family-owned and -operated landscaping supplier for over 13 years, they have an impressive reputation for helping landscapers improve the health and appearance of lawns across central Kentucky. Call (859) 225-9433 to talk to a representative, or visit their website to learn about their supply of fertilizers.