How to Revitalize Your Lawn After a Harsh Winter: Spring lawn maintenance in Canada

Posted on: Feb 05, 2019Jordyn Rowntree

Across Canada, provinces experience mild to harsh Winter conditions that range from rain to snow, warm breezes to frigid gusts, and sunny blue skies to cloudy grey scenes.

No matter where you are based, there are several different things you can do to ensure your grass is safe as it lies underneath the elements. Winter lawn care preparation is the first step to a healthier, happier lawn this Spring. However, if you didn’t have time to prep your yard or do any Winter lawn care that ok! Spring lawn maintenance in Canada is easy and can bring your lawn back from even the worst Winter.

Rake Your Yard

In Autumn, a common part of lawn care is raking leaves and debris from your yard. It might seem counterintuitive to do so again in the Spring but you’d be surprised how much thatch and organic material can build up over the colder months. Spring raking helps control thatch which is stimulated by vegetation that hasn’t broken down or decomposed yet and is covering your lawn, stopping it from flourishing. As well, raking your grass in the Spring stops the production of snow mold, a fungus that destroys your lawn as the snow melts.

Water Your Grass

As the weather gets warmer, your grass will begin to grow and needs to be watered on a regular basis. During the Spring, it’s important to make sure you don’t overwater your grass and apply only 1” of water per week. In turn, you can watch your grass grow back stronger and healthier with this integral nutrient.

Plant Seeds

Did you cover all the bases when it came to winter lawn care? Even if you did, your lawn can still end up being compacted by heavy traffic during the colder seasons or more than anticipated snow, which results in uneven terrain and bare spots in the Spring. It’s a fantastic idea to plant seeds in the Springtime to allow your lawn to recuperate after lying dormant underneath the snow. Invest in a high quality seed and spread it evenly over your existing lawn for equal distribution. As you water your lawn, seeds will soak up moisture and begin the process of germination.

Aerate Your Soil

With an aerating tool, perforate the soil by poking small holes in your lawn to allow air, water and nutrients to grass roots. In doing so, you can stop soil compaction dead in its tracks and make sure your lawn gets the nourishment it needs to thrive this Spring. By aerating your soil, you can also improve drainage and unclog your waterlogged lawn, bringing bare patches back to life.

Fertilize Your Lawn

Now that your lawn has been seeded and aerated, it’s time to fertilize it. Once your lawn has been seeded and aerated, fertilizing your grass is a critical next step. If you opt for an organic fertilizer, you can compost the material or use a mulching mower for easy application. If you choose a chemical fertilizer, pay close attention to labels as some products are combined with weed killers or are for mid-summer. You’ll want to apply chemical products to your lawn sparingly and purchase one for the Spring.