January Lawn Tip

Keep Your Lawn Clean

It’s essential to keep your lawn clear of any debris during winter. Toys, fallen leaves and outdoor furniture can suffocate your grass and lead to bare patches. Debris can also create conditions that allow diseases, insects, mice and other damaging pests to flourish. At the start of winter, remove any furniture, toys, branches, leaves or other debris on your lawn. As winter progresses, continue sweeping away leaves and picking up fallen limbs. 

The weight from any debris compacts your soil and stunts the growth of your grass. It’s best to discourage people from walking on your lawn or parking any vehicles there. Keeping your sidewalks clear of snow and ice will make visitors less likely to take shortcuts across your property.

Avoid piling too much snow on your grass when shoveling your sidewalk, pathways and driveway, especially if you’ve used deicing salt. Salt can damage your lawn and undo the hard work you’ve already put into your lawn. Try using calcium-based deicing salt mixtures, as they’re less harmful than sodium chloride-based salts. It’s also best to avoid deicers with urea or nitrogen as those ingredients can also damage your lawn.