If you’re an Organic Bob client, you already know that lawns have certain needs at different times of the year. Our services help you keep your treatments on track during the spring, summer, and fall months, but it’s equally important to make sure your lawn is ready for a tough, cold winter.

Here are some steps you can take to give your turf what it needs to not only survive winter, but to flourish next spring.

  • Keep watering up until first frost or first snow. Most winter lawn damage is caused by the dehydrating effects of the winter cold.
  • Kick off your organic lawn care program with aeration, top dress with a quality compost, over seed, and fertilize in mid-August to mid-September. This will allow soil microbes in the compost to enter the soil, while the seed and fertilizer will thicken the turf and provide food for the fall and next spring.
  • Mulch leaves when possible. The organic matter in leaves is great food for beneficial soil microbes and will act as a mulch for the grass.
  • When removing leaves, it’s a good idea to blow some into perennial beds, where they can protect plants and provide winter habitat for many pollinators. Be sure to not let leaves pile up and smother your lawn.
  • If you have had vole damage in previous winters, sprinkle on some organic repellants, available at most garden centers. This will keep them from foraging and damaging turf, plants, and shrubs.
  • For the final mowing of the year, lower your blade to 2.5” and bag the clippings. This will prepare the lawn for a healthy, disease-free start next spring.

Following these steps will give your lawn a great, healthy start when the snow melts in the spring. In the meantime, enjoy these autumn days – this cooler weather makes it fun to be outside taking care of your little corner of the earth organically!