When spring rolls around and the snow melts off your lawn, you don't want to be surprised by spots that are brown or bare. Fortunately, taking a few preventative steps now can ensure your grass is ready to grow beautifully in a few months. To prepare your yard, follow these lawn maintenance tips.

How to Maintain Your Lawn in the Winter

1. Clean Up Your Yard

One essential rule of lawn maintenance is to keep the yard clean. This not only makes your lawn look better, but it also prevents leaves, debris, and large objects from compacting the soil or causing diseases. Throughout the winter, rake up lingering leaves, remove debris, and move large objects, such as rocks or your kids' toys.

2. Avoid Using the Same Path Repeatedly

When your lawn grows dormant in the winter, it's tempting to find a path and repeatedly walk through it. However, this may cause your grass to grow back spotty in the spring. Instead, use your sidewalks and switch up your route every few days.

3. Keep Salt Away From the Grass

While salt will effectively melt snow on your sidewalks or driveway, it'll cause browning on your lawn by drawing moisture from the grass. If you do need to use salt near your yard, opt for calcium chloride since it's less damaging than traditional rock salt.

4. Park Vehicles Elsewhere

The easiest way to kill off some of your yard is to park a vehicle on it, as the heavy load will compact the soil and prevent grass from growing back in the spring. Keep your driveway cleared of snow and ice so guests can clearly see where to park. 

If you need help with lawn maintenance this winter, contact the team at Schryver's Tree & Landscape in Seymour, CT. Serving New Haven County for over 15 years, these experts can take care of overgrown lawns and unruly trees. If you’re looking for an even bigger upgrade, they can also perform landscape design services. Visit their website to learn more about how they can improve your yard, or call (203) 736-3822 for a free estimate.