Hello, my name is Alice, a chocolate lab who loves bounding across the frosty grass, but only when I know Mom and Dad have winterized the lawn and garden so everything will be healthy and ready when spring arrives!
Why Winterizing Matters
Winter in New Hampshire brings freezing temperatures, snow, and ice that can be tough on your lawn and garden. Without preparation, grass can thin out, soil can compact, and garden beds may lose valuable nutrients. A little planning now ensures a stronger, greener, and healthier yard once the warmer months roll back around.
Step 1: Give Your Lawn a Final Cut
Before the first significant snowfall, mow your lawn one last time, keeping grass around 2–2.5 inches tall. Leaving it too long invites mold and matting, while cutting it too short exposes roots to harsh cold. A balanced cut helps your lawn withstand winter stress.
Step 2: Rake and Mulch Leaves
While a few leaves can be mulched into your lawn for nutrients, too many left sitting all winter can suffocate grass and encourage disease. Rake or mulch leaves now, and consider composting them for use next spring.
Step 3: Aerate and Fertilize
Aerating relieves soil compaction and improves airflow, which is especially important before the ground freezes. Follow up with a winterizing fertilizer rich in potassium to strengthen roots and help your grass store energy through the cold months.
Step 4: Protect Garden Beds
- Clean up debris: Remove spent plants, weeds, and diseased material to prevent pests from overwintering.
- Add compost: Spread a layer of compost or shredded leaves to feed soil microbes all winter.
- Mulch generously: Cover garden beds with straw, leaves, or mulch to insulate soil and protect perennials.
Step 5: Care for Trees and Shrubs
- Wrap young or delicate trees with burlap to protect them from snow load and windburn.
- Water deeply before the ground freezes; hydrated roots survive winter better.
- Apply mulch around the base to help regulate soil temperature.
Step 6: Winterize Lawn & Garden Tools
Don’t forget about your tools! Clean, sharpen, and store mowers, trimmers, and hand tools. Drain fuel or add stabilizer so your equipment is ready to go come spring.
Why Professional Winterizing Helps
Sure, you can tackle some of these tasks yourself, but working with a professional team like Welch Lawn Care means every detail is covered:
- Aeration and fertilization are timed perfectly for New Hampshire’s climate.
- Expert cleanup that keeps lawns and beds free of pests and disease.
- Protection plans tailored to your property’s unique needs.
Schedule Your Winterizing Service Today
Don’t let winter catch your lawn and garden off guard. Call Welch Lawn Care today to schedule your winterizing service and enjoy peace of mind knowing your yard will bounce back strong and beautiful when spring arrives.