In the heart of winter, with cold temperatures and shorter days, our gardens may not be the first thing on our minds. Similar to us, our lawns take a well-deserved rest during this season.
However, amidst the hustle and bustle of winter and weather permitting, it remains beneficial to attend to a few gardening tasks. These preparations ensure that when spring arrives, our lawns are ready for us to relish.
Here are some key tips for December and into the new year:
REMOVE ITEMS
- It’s easy for items to be overlooked and left on the lawn in the cold winter when no one goes outside very often. When objects linger on the grass in cold weather, the weight can lead to substantial dead spots. Come springtime, the grass in those areas may appear stunted and thinner compared to the rest of the lawn.
REMOVE LEAVES
- Ensure leaves are picked up. Leaf damage can be long-lasting and can affect even the toughest of lawns. Leaves will block out sunlight and air which your grass needs to survive. The trapped moisture underneath also creates moss-loving conditions (which we do not want).
Here's what you can do with those fallen leaves - What to do with fallen leaves – GreenThumb
MULCHING
- Keep applying mulch to trees, shrubs, and planting beds. An effortless way to mulch is by using fallen leaves. Gather the leaves, shred them thoroughly, and distribute them around your plants and flower beds. Mulching offers numerous advantages. It not only safeguards your garden's soil from erosion but also serves as a protective barrier, preventing the growth of weeds and other unwanted grasses.
CLEAN GARDEN TOOLS
- The cold and wet weather can damage your garden tools if not brought indoors. Bring them indoors and give them a good clean.
DRAIN GARDEN HOSES
- Remember to drain and detach your garden hoses or you run the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting.
FEED THE BIRDS
- Keep bird feeders filled, and make sure the feed doesn’t get mouldy or frozen. At this time of year provide high-quality, energy-rich food – Sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, fruit, net-free fat, or suet balls are perfect for this time of year.
AUTUMN/WINTER LONG TREATMENT
- Treat your lawn to our Autumn/Winter Long treatment. This treatment is a little different from our other treatments throughout the year. Rather than encouraging growth, it strengthens the plant for the rigours of winter. It dehydrates the moss and controls it by slowing down its activity. Find out more here: The Ultimate Winter Lawn Treatment Program – GreenThumb
ISSUES TO LOOK OUT FOR
It’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of distress your lawn may be facing, so we can treat for it as soon as possible.
SNOW MOULD
Microdochium Patch (fusarium), more commonly known as Snow Mould is a cold weather disease and enjoys persistent drizzle and foggy/misty conditions with low air movement.
Symptoms appear as small, circular, yellow patches which can spread up to about 30cm in diameter. Once established, the patches turn a yellow/brown colour and in severe cases can kill the grass. After the disease becomes inactive, the area appears pale and straw-like.
Lawns that have a high thatch layer and poor drainage, as well as enclosed lawns with little air movement, are the most susceptible to this disease.
MOSS
If your lawn is exposed to too much water and becomes water-logged this could potentially cause moss in your garden. Moss can be found in a wide variety of locations, but on lawns it will grow when grass growth is slow and the soil is wet, as well as in shady and damp conditions.
COMPACTION
Heavy usage of the lawn while the soil is wet results in it compressing. Not only does this prevent grass growth, but it also leads to water not draining properly, which can lead to pooling on the surface, encouraging disease.
If you have any concerns regarding your lawn or need some additional advice, speak to your local GreenThumb branch. You can find their details here - Find your local GreenThumb branch