In autumn it is decided whether a lawn will survive the winter well. Only a winter-proof lawn can withstand the adverse weather conditions for a lush green revival in spring. You can find out how to properly overwinter a lawn here.
How do you properly overwinter a lawn?
In order for a lawn to overwinter successfully, you should fertilize with autumn fertilizer in October, carry out the final lawn cut at a height of 5 cm and trim the lawn edges. In winter, regular leaf sweeping is important to prevent rot and mold formation.
Preparing your lawn for winter – this is how it works in 3 steps
An all-round care program in autumn prepares the lawn for the rigors of frost, constant wetness and snow pressure. How to winterize your lawn in 3 steps:
Fertilize in October – with what?
The strength for he althy wintering lies in the grass roots. A special autumn fertilization provides the noble grasses with important nutrients to strengthen their frost hardiness. How to do it right:
- Fertilize the lawn with extra autumn fertilizer (€30.00 on Amazon), such as Patentkali or Kalimagnesia
- Rain fertilizer balls with a sprinkler
- Alternatively, fertilize the lawn organically in autumn with potassium-rich comfrey manure
The time window for autumn fertilization is open up to a soil temperature of 10° Celsius.
Last lawn cut – when and how?
The last time you mow your lawn is just as important as how you do it. Relevant factors are temperature and cutting height:
- Mow for the last time after the first ground frost
- Optimal cutting height: 5 cm (ornamental, sports and play lawn), 8 cm (shade lawn)
By overwintering your lawn with taller blades, you can prevent damage caused by snow pressure and lack of light. With a minimum height of 5 centimeters, the noble grasses also have the edge over moss and weeds.
Trimming lawn edges – tips
Accurately cut lawn edges leave a green area with a well-groomed appearance in the winter. The following quick guide explains the correct procedure:
- Mow close to the edges: during the final cut, steer the lawn mower as close to the edges as possible
- Marking: Use a wooden batten, string or garden hose as a marker for straight edge cuts
- Cutting tools: lawn edger, grass shears with telescopic handle, grass trimmer with vertical cutting head
By mowing first and then using the edger, you can achieve a precise cut without any green nuisances.
Lawn care in winter mode
Regular leaf sweeping is the central lawn care in winter. Even isolated leaves prevent the vital light supply to lawn grasses. The consequences are rot, mold and fungal infections. In the worst case scenario, the entire lawn dies under a closed layer of leaves.
Tip
Giving your lawn mower the right care before winter will ensure a smooth start to the next mowing season. The best time is after the last lawn mowing before winter. The mainstays of perfect winter maintenance are basic cleaning, including spark plugs and air filters, as well as an oil change. A lawn mower should be kept dry, frost-free and with an empty tank over the winter.