As summer comes to a close, homeowners throughout North Carolina and South Carolina turn their attention to preparing their lawns for the chillier seasons ahead. Although some parts of these states remain temperate year-round, most regions experience seasonal shifts in temperature. The helpful tips in this guide will make it easy for you to prep your yard for the upcoming autumn and winter months while still allowing you to enjoy the remaining warm days of summer!
- Give your lawn a “spa day” – As the summer season turns to fall, take a day to groom your yard so you won’t have so much mess to deal with next spring. Rake any leaves that have already fallen, pick up branches and twigs, and re-sold any patchy areas of grass. It is also a good idea to make sure whatever irrigation system you use is ready for the upcoming months. Depending on where you reside in the Carolinas, you may need to alter how much water your yard gets in the fall and winter. If it will be covered in snow for the next few months, for instance, you don’t need to water it regularly.
- Do any necessary fertilizing – You are not alone if springtime lawn maintenance is one of your least favorite annual tasks. Frequently, homeowners find themselves faced with a variety of annoying issues, including pesky weeds, unhealthy brown grass, and perennials that don’t want to bloom again like they’re supposed to. Fertilizing in the early fall is a great way to ensure that your lawn is as lush and green as possible come warm weather. Make a point of investing in a slow-release winterizing fertilizer that will nourish your lawn for the whole winter season.
- Mow your grass shorter than usual – It can be challenging to know when to mow your lawn for the last time each year. Generally, lawn care experts recommend mowing for as long as the grass is growing at its normal rate. Once it slows down significantly, plan your final mowing session of the season. At this time, mow your grass shorter than you typically do to prepare it for the winter season. Ideally, your lawn should be no more than one-and-a-half inches long when the first autumn frost occurs. Short grass doesn’t get tangled and matted, nor is it as likely to become diseased when it lays under snow and ice for months.
- Put furnishings and toys in storage – Most people in North Carolina and South Carolina spend a lot of time outside from spring to fall. As you get your property ready for winter, make sure you carefully store any furnishings and toys that you keep outside for most of the year. This will keep your belongings nice for the following year. If you don’t have a basement or garage, you can either consider renting a storage unit or buy covers with zippers for your furniture.
Hopefully, these tips will make your residential winterization simpler this year. The process doesn’t have to be frustrating. As long as you follow these tips and figure out a system that works well for your household, getting your lawn ready for winter should only take a day or two!