Winter Landscaping Tips for Baton Rouge Lawns

If you live in the North, chances are that you forget about your lawn once it is covered in snow. In the southern states like Louisiana, snow is a rare occurrence and it’s crucial to prep your yard properly for winter to ensure its stability and protection during the colder months.

How should I prepare my lawn for the winter months?

Don’t leave your yard to go wild when winter hits. If you don't have a residential landscaping service in Baton Rouge, you can prepare your yard by:

• Rake/Mulch Leaves - Be sure to rake or mulch any leaves and debris that could interfere with healthy yard growth and potentially suffocate it.
• Aerate - Aerate your lawn to help drive more oxygen and nutrients deeper into the soil as well as decompacting hardened soil areas to promote healthier lawns.
• Mow the Lawn - Mow your lawn occasionally to keep it free of debris and to keep thatch build up down. You can cut it regularly to keep the leaves tidied up but just use caution after long periods of rain as the cooler weather means the ground is less likely to dry quickly.

Should I fertilize my lawn for the winter?

Some resources will tell you that it is a waste to fertilize your lawn during winter, but the truth is that your lawn needs to be fertilized with a specific type of fertilizer. Using a fertilizer high in potassium and low in nitrogen (a Winterizer fertilizer) will ensure that your grass actively grows roots which in return helps to protect itself from freezing weather and helps to spring it back to life earlier when temperature rise. If you choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen (the first number on the bag), you can stimulate growth, which can cause your lawn to be susceptible to cold weather injury so fertilizers such as “Weed & Feed” are not recommended until spring time. Many winterizer fertilizers contain a preemergent weed control as well which help prevent the germination and growth of wintertime weeds in your lawn.

Can I stop watering my lawn in the winter?

As your lawn becomes dormant, the need for watering it becomes less and less. You can reduce and eventually pause your lawn watering as the weather gets cold in the winter until spring returns and the weather begins to warm up again. Typically, you can winterize your irrigation system and shut it down starting in mid-December through February.

Your lawn care team at Kyle’s are glad to be your experts on lawn care for your Baton Rouge area home. Whether it’s advice, education, or service, we’re always here to help you take the best care of your yard and landscaping. Give us a call for an estimate or quote on having us care for your lawn year-round!