If you want a lush lawn and budding flowers in your garden this coming spring, start putting your green thumb to work now. Winter lawn care not only protects your plants against frost and cold this season, but it also repairs damage and encourages rejuvenation below ground. Here, the experts at Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation in Cincinnati, OH, explain the importance of winterizing your lawn—and what you need to do to pave the path for a healthy garden come spring.

When you view your lawn during the winter months, it might look dormant. In fact, though, there is a lot of work going on underground during these cold months, as plants combat the cold and roots work to prepare for springtime sprouting. For the best winterization results, weed your garden thoroughly before you start your lawn care plan. This ensures that the protective measures you take will truly benefit your plants. 

Next, assess the soil. Plants need healthy soil to grow and thrive. Check the soil’s pH levels in the winter as it tends to lose important nutrients. Before winter arrives, treat overly acidic patches with lime products and alkaline patches with sulfur. In addition, nourish your soil with a special winter fertilizer. Containing more potassium than warm-weather fertilizers, winter formulas are designed to strengthen plants facing stress from cold and frost.

To ensure your plants get the full benefit of fertilization, aerate your lawn first. Aeration allows nutrients from fertilizer, as well as air and water, to effectively reach plant roots. Once you’ve fed your garden for the winter, you can give it a “winter coat” to guard against the cold. Protect flower and vegetable beds by laying mulch on the topsoil, planting a cover crop, or covering them with burlap. Depending on the type of flower, most potted plants should be moved indoors.

If you want help winterizing your garden, contact Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation. Serving Cincinnati and the surrounding areas, these landscaping experts offer an array of lawn services, from mowing and pruning to fertilization and irrigation. Visit their website or call (513) 755-9434 to schedule lawn care treatment.