How to Winterize Your Lawn Before the First Freeze, by AgriBloom on YouTube. 3 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Pick a day when the grass is still green and the soil is not frozen. Check the forecast for the first hard freeze, about 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and plan to finish before it.
Rake or blow leaves and debris off the lawn. Clear corners and edges too, so nothing mats down and smothers the grass under snow.
Give the lawn its final mow. For cool season grasses, set the deck so the grass finishes at about 2.5 to 3 inches tall.
Apply a late fall feed only if you have cool season grass. Use about 0.7 to 0.9 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet and never spread it on frozen ground.
Water the lawn if it is dry before you shut the system down. A dry lawn goes into winter weaker than a watered one.
Drain every garden hose and empty the irrigation lines before the first hard freeze. Water left in pipes expands and can crack them.
Stay off frozen turf so you do not break the blades. Clean the mower and tools, then store them dry for winter.
Tips and common mistakes
Skip the late fall feed on warm season grasses, since it can push growth at the wrong time.
Measure your lawn area first so the fertilizer rate is right and you do not overfeed.
Blow out sprinkler lines with compressed air if you have an irrigation system, or call a pro.
Do not mow very short in fall, as longer blades trap snow and protect the roots.
Questions
When should I winterize my lawn?
Work while the grass is still green and the soil is not frozen. Aim to finish all five steps before the first hard freeze, around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I fertilize my lawn in late fall?
Only cool season grasses benefit from a late fall feed. Warm season lawns should skip it. Never apply fertilizer on frozen ground.
Do I need to drain hoses and sprinklers?
Yes. Water left in hoses and irrigation lines freezes and expands, which can split pipes and fittings. Drain everything before the first hard freeze.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
