The Ultimate Winter Lawn Care Checklist for Landscaping Businesses

Laying the foundation for a lush and green lawn is often easier said than done, but not with the right equipment, supplies, and expert advice. At the end of the day, nothing perks up a home, business, or property like a clean, manicured lawn ready to meet spring blooms. And getting started on a winter lawn care checklist is a great way to ensure that a lawn emerges in its best possible shape after winter.

Clear Debris

Winter storms can leave behind a lot of debris, including fallen branches and leaves. Clearing these items from a lawn will help make it more attractive during the spring months. The debris also serves as food for pests like rodents, so removing it will help keep them at bay.

Rake Out Moss and Pull Weeds

Moss and weeds are common problems in many lawns, but they can be easily treated with weed killer or by pulling them by hand. Over-watering or poor drainage can contribute to moss growth, so address these issues, if necessary, before treating a lawn with chemicals or pulling out weeds manually.

Aerate the Lawn

Lawns that have been over-fertilized or over-watered tend to compact and become dense, which leads to water runoff. Aerating a lawn will help improve drainage and allow oxygen and water to reach the soil. Without an aerator, hire a professional landscaper to aerate a lawn.

Overseed Bare Spots

If a lawn is missing grass from bare spots in the yard, use seeds to fill them in. A local home improvement store should have packages of grass seed to choose from. Be sure to get a blend of different types of grass, so it doesn’t end up looking like a patchwork quilt when it grows.

Prune Trees and Shrubs

Winter pruning is essential for keeping trees and shrubs healthy. It can also improve their appearance by removing dead limbs or branches, blocking sunlight from reaching their foliage.

In addition to dead wood, remove branches that have become diseased or infested with insects. This will help prevent disease and insect infestations throughout the landscape.

Mow High

The lawn should be mowed high in the fall to make it easier for grass seedlings to emerge in the spring. This will also help prevent damage caused by snow and ice build-up during heavy storms.

Fertilize the Lawn

The best time to fertilize a lawn is in early spring, but it can also be done in late fall or winter. 

Test the soil first. Before adding fertilizer, gather information about the soil pH and nutrient levels.

Choose the right type of fertilizer. There are many types of fertilizer, so choose one that’s appropriate for the lawn’s needs and matches the nutrient content listed on the soil test.

Apply the fertilizer according to package directions and avoid over-fertilizing at any time of year (it could cause damage).

Protect Sensitive Plants

For plants susceptible to cold damage — such as flowers or vegetables — cover them with sheets of plastic or burlap to protect them during freezing temperatures. For ornamental trees or shrubs sensitive to cold damage, wrap them with burlap or plastic when temperatures dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ensure Winter Watering

During the winter months, temperatures drop significantly. This causes the soil to become dry and hard. For the lawn to stay green and healthy throughout these cold seasons, regularly watering your plants during this time is essential.

It is recommended to water lawns two times per week in the winter months. Purchase a rain gauge to know exactly when and how much water each plant needs. Check the soil regularly during the winter to allow easy visibility of any issues with watering or fertilizing your lawns.

Apply Pre-Emergent Pesticides

Pre-emergent weed killers prevent annual grassy weeds from germinating and may be applied in late fall or early spring.

Inspect the underside of leaves for brown spots caused by winter mites. These tiny pests are most active during cold, dry weather. Treat with a miticide if necessary.

Check for signs of disease in turfgrasses (brown patches, wilted or dead patches) and treat as needed with a fungicide or other appropriate product.

Remove fallen leaves from lawns, especially those found near trees where they may harbor disease organisms that could be blown into the turf during periods of windy weather later in the season.

The Bottom Line on Winter Lawn Care

As a business owner, being sure to keep customers and the value of landscaping services satisfied is one of the top priorities to ensure profitability. But to do that, be the best all year long and not just when the weather is warm and sunny. Fortunately, there are easy things to do throughout the year — like ensuring that winter lawn maintenance and preparation are on the priority list — to keep a lawn care business thriving. Keeping a lawn care business successful in the winter months takes time, and knowledge of seasonal changes, and Zuper can help make lawn care businesses as efficient as possible!

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