It’s safe to say that this Saskatchewan summer took its toll on lawns in Regina. Drought-like conditions left many lawns yellow and cracked, despite our best efforts. With winter on its way, it’s time to set up our lawn for success next spring.

Here are a few things you can do to get your grass winter ready.

• Cut to the right height – leave your lawn a little higher for the winter to ensure longer, healthier roots. But be sure not to keep your grass too long before the snow falls – long grass can be a breeding ground for grass diseases and snow mold. A good rule of thumb is one setting higher on your mower.
• Aerate – while a lot of people aerate their lawns in the spring, it’s good to do it in the fall as well, especially if your lawn has been damaged over the summer. An aerated lawn creates more contact between soil and both fertilizer and grass seed.
• Fertilize – apply two rounds of fertilize – you’ll find autumn-specific fertilizer at the store. Pay special attention to damaged areas.
• Seed (and overseed) – seed damaged areas and water to ensure germination before snowfall. It’s getting late in the season, but we still have a few warm days. The window to seed is quickly closing, so take advantage of it while you can.
• Deal with weeds – the more weeds you can take care of now, the less you’ll have to deal with in the spring. Whether it’s using a herbicide or pulling as many as you can, you’ll be happy you did come April.
• Rake or mulch – it’s important to remove the leaves on your lawn so your grass can get the sunlight and air it needs. Another alternative is to use a mulching mower and mulch the leaves so they can further decompose and feed your lawn.

Fall may seem like the time when lawn care comes to an end, but as you can see, there are still a few “to-do’s” on the old chore list to keep your grass happy and healthy.

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It’s important to remember one thing about lawns – if they have been tended to properly, they are quite resilient. Even if they start to yellow and dry up a bit in drought-like conditions, they will usually bounce back when the weather changes and more moisture is present. If you see a little yellow on your lawn, don’t panic. A little yellow is ok in times like this. Yellowing is the grass’ natural defence system and, although it doesn’t look nice, it’s actually saving your lawn for wetter days.

Water regularly, but smartly

If you’re going to water you grass, develop a regular schedule and stick to it. Creating a regular moisture cycle will benefit the lawn, while an erratic watering schedule can throw your lawn out of whack. Don’t water every day or use a ton of water, but keep it regular. And don’t forget to water in the evening or early morning. If you have a sprinkler system with a timer, run it at night. You’ll lose A LOT of water to evaporation if you water in the heat of the day. Don’t over water either – the root system of a lawn will shrink in dry times, so over watering to the point that it drops beyond the root system is a waste of water.

Mow less and longer

Keeping your grass a little longer in dry times will help keep the soil cooler so it doesn’t dry out as quickly. A longer lawn can also develop a longer, stronger root system that will allow it to draw moisture from deeper in the soil.

Fertilize less

Fertilized lawns typically use more water, so fertilize less. Fertilizing in the fall is the top priority, so if you’re going to fertilize, do it then.

Keep your equipment tickety boo

Make sure your mower is in top condition, including keeping the blades nice and sharp. As blades get dull they tend to tear the grass more than cut it, which can damage the root system or pull grass out all together.

Following a few simple steps will keep your lawn healthy and ready to go green once the rain returns.

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Water, water, water (and water again)

Keeping your new lawn well-watered is imperative in the first month so the sod takes root and flourishes. Water it immediately after installation to the point of being spongy and then regularly in the following weeks. The amount of times you should water your new sod is up for debate and will depend on factors like temperature, weather and amount of sun your grass gets. It’s a good rule of thumb to water it twice a day for week one, once a day for week two, every other day for weeks three and four, then resume a regular watering schedule. Watering a little less every week will help your sod develop deep, healthy roots. Just be sure not to overwater as it can result in shallow roots or stop air from reaching the roots.

Please stay off the grass

Try to keep your family and pets off the new sod for at least two weeks after installation and only go on it to do the care and maintenance needed. Give your new sod a chance to get used to its new home and develop a strong root bed without any interruptions.

Mow mowing, mow problems

Don’t over mow your new lawn. Wait at least a week after your sod has been laid before mowing for the first time and don’t cut your grass shorter than 3 inches. Keeping your grass a little longer gives your lawn a lush look, helps retain water and helps your grass choke out invasive weeds like dandelions, clover and crabgrass. Be sure to watch your mower wheels the first time you cut to make sure they don’t get caught in the seams between sod panels.

When to fertilize

You shouldn’t fertilize your new lawn for at least six weeks after installation. Wait until week six or seven to spread fertilizer, if needed. Then resume a regular lawn fertilizer schedule. You shouldn’t need to fertilize your lawn until fall, when you would usually fertilize.

The team at Textured Terrain can help you make the most of your yard. Contact us today.

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