According to Thrillist Travel, Michigan has the second worst winter out of the 50 states. One writer says, “Winter in Michigan begins well before Thanksgiving and stretches far past Easter, which makes the four-to-six months of always-gray, always-cold, always-drizzly, but rarely-snowy-in-a-good-way misery. Some other states may see colder temps or more snow, but Michigan winters are unrivaled for their utter lack of sunshine.” Yikes!
Do A Full Fall Cleanup
This includes: Raking leaves and dead grass, cleaning gutters, trimming trees and shrubs, clearing lawn debris, and weeding. Here are the reasons why a fall cleanup is important:
- Raking leaves/clearing debris– Un-raked leaves and debris can suffocate your lawn and prevent it from getting essential nutrients, like sunshine. Wet leaves can also invite diseases, which can leave brown patches come springtime.
- Cleaning gutters – This can keep water from entering your home, or damaging your roof. Also, by cleaning your gutters you are removing a potential nesting area for pests looking to get warm this winter.
- Trimming trees and shrubs – By removing dead branches you are promoting and preparing your trees and shrubs for springtime growth (it helps them hit the ground running). Also, trim them away from your home and roof, and a few inches off the ground to prevent critters from nesting.
- Weeding – Pull all your weeds in the fall to prevent them from stealing nutrients during the winter months.
Stay Off Your Lawn After A Frost
F rost is a coating of ice that forms in humid air, usually on cold winter nights. When frosts occur, the moisture that moves through your grass freezes, but the frost generally stays above ground (so the root systems are not affected). However, if you consistently walk on your lawn post-frost you are at risk of breaking the grass blades. Which can cause cellular damage in the root systems and brown patches in the springtime. Avoid this by staying off your lawn post-frost, and make sure others do the same.
Be Aware Of Possible Damages Caused By Snow Removal
These damages can be caused by:
- Salt – If too much salt is applied it will steal moisture from the soil, which prevents it from getting to the grass’ roots. Make sure when you’re spreading salt you keep it on your driveway/walkway, and not on your lawn/landscape.
- Snowplows – When pushing snow, the plows are at risk of being “dragged” across your lawn, which can cause damage. One way to try and avoid this is to properly mark off your driveway with orange sticks, so the driver knows where your lawn starts and ends.
- Shovels – Similar to the snowplow, the crown of the grass can be damaged when shoveling. This can be avoided by making sure you are only shoveling snow off your driveway, not your grass.
You have invested your hard earned time and money into your lawn this year. Don’t let the harsh Michigan weather have its way. Instead, give us a call at 800-570-3313 . We have a customized lawn care program designed with your lawn in mind. Our trained professionals will take your lawn through a step-by-step yearlong program to guarantee the best results. Contact us today for more information!
