Stop mowing
It is time to stop mowing your lawn. During the winter, anything below 5°C your lawn should stop growing and therefore will not require mowing.
Mowing it at this time could cause unnecessary damage. You should only mow the lawn if it is necessary and the conditions are favourable. So, it is not advised to mow if there is a heavy frost or snow expected or if the ground is very wet.
It might be an ideal time to clean or service your mower or get it serviced ready for spring.
Try to avoid cutting grass when it is wet. It is difficult, takes a lot longer, and often makes a mess of the lawn.
When cutting long grass (such as the first cut of spring) set mower cutting heights high if you can to cut minimal heights and then cut lower at following cuts. Cutting grass very short when it is long could damage or kill the grass.
Caring for new lawns over winter
If your lawn is newly sewn or turf was laid over the summer, you should keep off it. Resting your lawn helps avoid damage that can easily happen and not repair until the Spring. If a heavy frost lifts new turfs, you can use a heavy roller during a dry spell to level them out again. Adding some sharp sand to a lawn over winter can improve drainage.
Sweep up fallen leaves
Winter lawn care includes occasionally sweeping up fallen leaves and any debris using a light rake or brush. Fallen leaves trap moisture and encourage disease and worm activity.
When sweeping, still be careful to keep foot traffic to a minimum as this could damage your lawn.
Look out for water puddles
If water puddles appear on your lawn after heavy rain, this is a sign that the soil is compacted. Therefore. it will benefit from aerating later on in the spring. Use an aerator or a garden fork to relieve compaction. This will improve drainage and allow more air into the root system, ultimately leading to a healthier lawn.
Prepare for a new lawn
Lawn care in the winter is quiet so if you are planning to sow a new lawn in the spring, dig over the area during the winter and leave the soil in clumps on the surface for the frost to break it up.
Feed your lawn
Once winter hits you will find that most fertilizers in the form of solid granules do not work because the ground and air temperature are too cold. The best solution is to apply some iron and seaweed in liquid or granular form. This tonic for turf helps to reduce plant stress, and hardens grass to protect it throughout the colder months.
Open a can of worms
Worms improve the nutrient content of soil and help the soil structure get stronger. They will probably leave worm casts on top of your lawn. They look like mini mole hills, but are actually the waste soil that passes through worms as they move around. Just let them dry and sweep them up with a stiff brush.
Leatherjackets
Theses larvae will eat the root system of your lawn. If you have these in your garden, we recommend that the area is treated with a natural leatherjacket killer that can be bought at garden centres and online.
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