Preparing the lawn for winter: a review of the complex of works on care of the grass
A green lawn at the cottage – a universal element of landscaping that can serve as a gorgeous backdrop for the flower garden, and a safe natural pad rest area. And to fall it as long as possible to enjoy the freshness of the emerald-green grass, and in the spring – the lack of bald spots, you must properly prepare it for the cold. Preparing the lawn for winter includes a number of initiatives which we now propose to speak.
The contents
If you are too lazy to read the material, you can see the care tips in this video:
For fall work to prepare materials:
- Trimmer or mower;
- Aerator or garden fork;
- Fan rake or broom;
- Complex fertilizers at the rate of 3 kg per 100 sq m;
- Mixture for overseeding.
Termination of the irrigation
As September usually is enough rain, especially to organize regular watering is not necessary.
During the period when the established dry weather, you can water the lawn, using the method of sprinkling. The only condition of irrigation – to prevent the formation of puddles
Experienced gardeners and lawn care before the winter begin to organize from the first half of September and finish in a couple of weeks before the first frost
In early October, as temperatures fall, watering should not stop to prevent excessive waterlogging of the soil. Otherwise, plants can weaken and sicken.
The most recent haircuts
In the summer of cutting grass should be almost once a week. With the onset of autumn as the cooling of the earth and the deceleration of the growth of plants this procedure is performed less and less.
At the same time at all without trimming the lawn before winter will not work. With the onset of cold regrown grass will freeze slightly, and will fall to the ground, where after lying until the spring, when the awakening of young growth will become a serious obstacle to the growth of green shoots. Therefore, to mow the lawn for the winter you should always.
The optimum height of grass after mowing to 5 cm For a couple of weeks the plants have time to reach a height of 8 cm, which is the most favorable for saving power and preserving nutrients for winter
But guess how many haircuts need to spend before the cold weather not always possible. Beveling the grass in early September, we cannot be sure that with the onset of the Indian summer, the plants do not pull out, and they will not have to re-cut. Or Vice versa: early frost will bring uncut greenery, and the procedure for the mowing of the lawn for the winter to spend it will be too late.
The best time to mow the lawn before winter: Northern regions – the end of September to the middle band in the beginning of October and in the southern regions – mid October.
Sending grass clippings to the beds, you can prepare humus for fertilizer for crops, reducing himself thus, the number of spring work
In accordance with the General recommendations for the care of lawn grass last lawn mowing before winter is held for two weeks before the first frost.
Need feeding
To ensure the stable growth of plants in the spring will allow fertilization. Regarding the composition of the fertilizer gardeners opinions diverge. Some believe that in the autumn, plants need phosphorus and potassium — minerals that stimulate rooting. Therefore, the main emphasis in feeding the lawn should do on them. Fertilizing with nitrogen, which stimulates growth of green mass, you should limit.
Other gardeners argue that the decorative lawn throughout the season it is impossible to maintain without making fertilizing with nitrogen. Lawn grasses continue to increase plant mass, and when the temperature decreases in the autumn months. Nitrogen doesn’t reduce the winter hardiness of the plants, makes the color green in the autumn months more intense.
To ensure the attractiveness of emerald lawns, amazingly combined with the Golden foliage of the trees, only using complex fertilizers, in which equally consists of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen
Some experts also recommend to apply a deoxidizer (chalk, limestone flour), which is useful for the grass and nearby landings. The best time to make a dressing dry, windless days.
The aeration of the soil
In General, the range of works we would also like to include the need for aeration of the soil in which there is a lawn. Conducting aeration will allow water penetration into the deeper layers of the soil and thus prevent its stagnation in the form of puddles and ice that can cause bald spots on the lawn. The only exception is lawns, which is equipped on a sandy basis, the water in these soils drains yourself.
To better aeration in dry weather. To improve the efficiency of procedures at each puncture, you need a pitchfork to lift the turf of the lawn so that it acquired a slightly «ruffled» look. This will ensure that there is enough air to the root system and drainage.
Perforation of the turf can be performed as a special aerator and a garden pitchfork. Piercing pitch must be done to a depth of about 20 cm, keeping the distance between the punctures in the 20-30 cm
After completion of the drainage you must allow the lawn to rest for the next 2-3 days it is advisable not to walk. The original form he will take after the first rains.
Covered the soil with mulch
Layers of plant remains, preventing adequate aeration of lawn, provoke the development of moisture, due to which various diseases.
In the autumn should also promptly clear the lawn of fallen leaves, old grass and other debris by using a fan rake or broom
Autumn – a good time for leveling any bumps in the lawn that occurred in the summer months
The composition of the mixture for mulching is determined by the characteristics of the soil on the site. The best option is a mixture consisting of equal parts of soil, peat and sand.
With the aim of increasing fertility is exhausted in a season of the earth, the entire area of the lawn can be covered for winter with a layer of peat mixed with dry compost.