Winter in Minnesota can bring a lot of good things to your lawn:
- Cold temperatures cause the grass to go dormant, which provides a healthy growing boost in the spring.
- Snow is a fantastic insulator and protects your grass from biting winds and below-zero temperatures.
- Snowmelt provides necessary moisture to the turf as warms in the spring.
SNOW MOLD
This fungus can be devastating to the health of your lawn.
But too much of a good thing can lead to problems. When too much moisture is on the lawn and it doesn’t have a chance to dry out soon enough, fungus can set in and cause circular gray or pinkish patches in the turf called snow mold. This is most often caused by organic debris left on the lawn in autumn. Failing to do a proper fall clean-up can result in too many leaves left on the lawn, which inhibits new growth, smothers the grass and blocks much-needed warmth and light from the sun.
WET LEAVES DON’T JUST CAUSE SNOW MOLD
Forgoing leaf removal in the fall can also lead to yard pests. Weeds can take root in the decomposing debris, and mice and voles nest under heavy leaf cover in the spring. These critters can cause damage to your lawn, landscaping, and flower beds or sneak into surrounding buildings.
PREVENT PESTS AND SNOW MOLD WITH SPRING CLEANUP
So what can be done now? The first thing that should be done in your yard each spring is an early Spring Clean-up. Here are a few tips to make this most effective:
1. FIRST, WAIT UNTIL THE SOIL IS FIRM UNDER YOUR FEET.
If the earth remains indented where you step, it’s still too wet to walk on. Doing your spring clean-up now can cause the soil to be packed down and inhibit new growth. Instead, wait until the dirt has dried out enough for you to walk on without leaving an impression.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL.
Find a light, springy rake. You want to avoid damaging tender, young blades of grass, and a rigid rake or hoe will do more harm than good.
3. CAREFULLY REMOVE DEBRIS AND EXCESS SNOW FROM THE LAWN.
Rake up and compost or dispose of any excess leaves or grass clippings that got missed in your fall clean-up and pick up any trash that blew into your yard and got buried. Snow mold can also form under thick snowbanks, such as along driveways or areas where snow has drifted up in piles against a structure. Remove excess snow so the sunlight can more readily reach the turf.
SPRING CLEANUP DOESN’T STOP HERE
Leaf removal is only the first step to preparing your lawn for spring. A proper spring cleanup from EnJay Property Maintenance also includes trimming and the first lawn mowing of the spring, weather permitting.
LOOKING TO SAVE TIME THIS SPRING?
EnJay is currently booking Spring Cleanup services for residential and commercial clients. Book early for the best appointment times!
CALL NOW! (952)206-5296 (LAWN)
Additionally, this full-service Spring Clean-up is part of EnJay’s Annual Property Maintenance Bundle, which also includes Mowing, Fall Clean-up, and Snow Removal. Part of our fall services include leaf blowing, raking, and mulching leaves into the lawn so that by spring they provide fertilizer rather than cause disease to set in. Autumn and spring cleanup are interconnected services, both vital for the long-term health of your lawn.
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