Manage the Season for Your Region

Whether you live in a warm weather state or an icy cold place – managing expectations for your yard during the winter can be tough. Luckily, we’re here to break it down for you so you know exactly how to handle your lawn and prepare for new growth next Spring.

Colder Climate States

You might live in: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin

Live in a midwestern state that starts to feel the chill this time of year? You’ll need to take some special precautions when it comes to your lawn.

Winterize Your Lawn

If you’re anticipating cool temperatures this season, you want to make sure that you winterize your lawn before they set in. Here are some quick tips to get your lawn winter ready:

1. Late fall lawn and trees & shrub fertilization is highly beneficial to cool season grasses and plants. Fall fertilization helps with spring green up.

2. We’ve been seeing an unseasonable amount of rain in the northern states which is actually a great benefit to your lawn this time of year.

3. Mow as late in the season as possible, and make sure to lower your mower blade one notch for the last mow of the season. Mowing at a lower height will help prevent moisture build-up and diseases such as snow mold.

4. Clear Those Leaves: Leaves can limit your grass growth, so remove them or use a mulching mower for best results.

5. Trim, Trim: Trees are also vulnerable to winter weather– remember to fertilize and groom to protect them as winter approaches.

We’ll Melt That Ice For You

We know you’ve got better things to do than drive around in the snow picking up bags of ice melt products. Let us handle it for you. Our ice melt services will deliver ice melt products directly to your property. When placed on frozen pavement and walkways, ice melt products attract moisture to form a liquid brine which generates heat. This liquid spreads, melting and loosening ice from pavement to make it easier to shovel away.

Warmer Climate State Specialties

You might live in: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada

We’re not going to say you folks in the Southern and Western states have it easy, but we’re also not, not going to say that. When it comes to the winter season, you’ve got a lot less on your shovel – if you know what we mean.
So what should be happening on YOUR lawn this time of year? Let’s find out.

1. Your lawn care schedule should continue as it has been through the summer, keeping up with lawn maintenance is important year round. You should continue doing the following:

   1. Mowing your lawn

   2. Watering your lawn if you don’t see rainfall

2. Expect that your warm season grass will slow its growth during the winter. You may not see the type of growth you’re used to until Spring comes in again.

3. Take time to prep your mower during this off season – check the oil, driver belt and blades to ensure it is ready for use when you need it.

Somewhere In Between

You might live in: Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi

The above tips for those warmer states apply to you, but you’ll want to pay special attention to this note below:
Keep in mind, cold fronts do happen. If you typically experience a warmer winter, you’ll still want to keep an eye on your lawn and the plants surrounding to to make sure they don’t incur any damage as the temperatures drop. Pay special attention to your shrubs, they can experience winter injury!

We Didn’t Forget You Florida

We all know Florida is a special, special place. So special, it gets its own section of this blog. Similar to our friends in those warm states, there isn’t a lot of change in lawn maintenance for a Florida winter.
Here’s what you need to know:

1. You too, can expect your warm-season grass to slow its growth.

2. This is the time to prep your mower; check oil, driver belt, and blades.

3. Water lawn as needed — Florida grasses don’t need much in cooler months.

4. Watch for winter broadleaf weeds in between treatments. If you see weeds start to develop, contact your TruGreen specialist for post-emergent control options.

5. As winter comes to an end, check that mower blades are sharpened and mower is in good condition.

Need help from the experts? TruGreen takes care of your lawn so you can #LiveLifeOutside to the fullest – see how we can help you in 2019 here.