6 Must-Do Steps for Winterizing Your Lawn: Prepare for the Cold Season

As the temperatures drop, it's the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the colder months. Winterizing your lawn not only protects it from the elements but also sets the stage for a lush, healthy lawn come spring. Manning's Feed and Seed is here to guide you through the essential steps, including the all-important use of pre-emergent herbicides to keep pesky weeds at bay.

1. Clean Up Your Lawn

Start by raking up leaves, debris, and dead grass. Clearing your lawn is crucial to prevent diseases and pests from finding a home over winter. Manning's Feed and Seed offers the tools and products to help you maintain a clean lawn, ensuring it can properly absorb nutrients and breathe.

2. Mow One Last Time

Before winter fully sets in, mow your lawn one last time. Aim for a height of 2.5 to 3 inches—not too short, as this helps prevent disease while still offering some protection against the cold. Manning's Feed and Seed can recommend the best mowing practices based on your grass type.

3. Aerate Your Lawn

Aerating in the fall relieves soil compaction, allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the roots. This crucial step strengthens your lawn, preparing it for healthier growth in spring. Visit Manning's Feed and Seed for expert advice and the best aeration tools.

4. Apply Pre-emergent Herbicide

Fall is the ideal time to apply pre-emergent herbicide—before the first frost. Pre-emergents create a barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating, leaving you with fewer weeds when spring arrives. At Manning's Feed and Seed, we recommend Hi-Yield Weed and Grass Stopper with Dimension, a highly effective pre-emergent that will give your lawn the protection it needs.

Why Pre-emergent is a Must-Have:

• Stops Weed Growth Before It Starts: Prevents weed seeds from sprouting, giving your grass the upper hand.

• Saves Time and Effort in Spring: A little work now means fewer weeds to fight later.

• Creates a Healthier Lawn: Without competing weeds, your grass can absorb more nutrients and water, boosting its overall health.

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

5. Fertilize Your Lawn

After applying pre-emergent, it’s time to fertilize. Using a winterizing fertilizer provides essential nutrients to strengthen grass roots, helping your lawn survive the colder months. We recommend Ferti-Lome Winterizer, available at Manning’s Feed and Seed. It's rich in potassium, which promotes root development and overall resilience, giving your grass the nutrients it needs to thrive.

6. Keep Watering

Don’t forget to water your lawn through fall—right up until the ground freezes. Proper hydration is key to keeping your grass healthy during the colder months. Manning's Feed and Seed has the watering equipment you need to maintain a beautiful lawn.

Extra Help for Hard-to-Kill Weeds

If you're dealing with stubborn weeds that resist pre-emergent or manual efforts, we also carry Ferti-Lome Weed Free Zone, an effective product that works even in cooler temperatures as low as 45°F. This makes it perfect for those tricky weeds that tend to linger through the fall and into winter.

Conclusion

Preparing your lawn for winter is all about smart planning. Manning's Feed and Seed has everything you need to winterize effectively, from Hi-Yield Weed and Grass Stopper with Dimension to Ferti-Lome Winterizer and Weed Free Zone for those harder-to-tackle weeds. By following these steps, you’ll protect your lawn from winter damage and give it a head start for a weed-free, vibrant spring. Don’t wait—visit Manning’s Feed and Seed today to stock up on all the supplies you'll need for year-round lawn care.