Winter may be in full swing now, but that doesn’t mean it will stick around forever. Before you know it, the temperatures will warm up and the growing season will begin in earnest. If you want your lawn to look its best earlier in the season so your yard can become the envy of the neighborhood, starting sooner is always better and will reduce your risk of needing to schedule an appointment with your Denver sprinkler repair experts. Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do to prepare your lawn for the warmer months even when there’s still snow on the ground. These are the most important tasks you’ll want to take care of.

Aerate Your Lawn

Over the winter months, the weight of the snow sitting on your grass, your footfalls, and simply time, is enough to compact the soil beneath your lawn. When this happens, the roots of your grass won’t be able to spread out and get the nutrients they need to keep your lawn happy and healthy during the growing season. Luckily, there’s an easy way to reoxygenate your lawn and break up the compacted soil. You just need to aerate it with an aeration fork. This punches holes into the soil and loosens compacted dirt for the rest of the season. Try to do this at the beginning of spring once the ground thaws but before the weather warms up enough to support sustained growth. This way, your lawn’s new growth will have access to the nutrients it needs.

Figure Out a Fertilization Schedule

Even rich soils need a little help now and again. Remember, the nutrients in the dirt get used by the plants you add to your landscaping. You’ll need to replenish those nutrients throughout the course of the year. The best way to do this is to add fertilizer to your lawn and landscaping. Every lawn is different, so you’ll need to figure out the right fertilization schedule for your yard. Your local garden center or landscaping team can give you advice on when to apply fertilizer and what type to use for your yard.

Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill

When you’re not watering your lawn, you should expect your water bills to go down or at least stay consistent during the winter months. However, if you have a leak somewhere in your sprinkler system’s water line, your bill could go up. Once the ground thaws, that leak can cause serious damage to your lawn and your surrounding landscaping. If you notice inexplicable increases on your bill, contact your sprinkler repair technician and let them inspect your system. If there’s anything wrong, they’ll be able to identify the types of repairs needed and help you get the damage fixed before spring is in full swing.

Clean up the Surrounding Landscaping

It’s normal for the rest of your landscaping to look a bit unkempt at the tail end of the winter season. Instead of waiting until spring to start cleaning up, start ahead of time. Clear away any dead growth and plants that you don’t want to deal with during the warmer months. Rake any existing mulch back into place and make sure the trim around your garden beds is still in good condition. If it’s not, make a note of the spots that need attention and plan on redoing those areas as soon as the weather improves and the ground thaws enough to add new edging.

Trim Your Trees

Believe it or not, your trees impact your lawn’s health. When they’re overgrown, they produce more shade than your lawn may be equipped to handle. This results in dead areas and makes your lawn appear patchy at best. The best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your tree care company and let them trim and prune excess growth before the trees leaf out completely. This way, your lawn will get the sun it needs to take root and recover from the cold weather as quickly as possible.

Tune up Your Tools

No matter how large or small your lawn is, you’ll have at least a few tools on hand to help you care for and maintain it. This might involve a lawn mower, hedge trimmer, edger, or weed whacker. Whatever you have on hand, give it a thorough tune-up. Sharpen dull blades, make sure the motors are in good shape, and clean the components as thoroughly as you can. This way, you’ll be ready to go once the weather warms up. If you don’t have tools but want to invest in some simple lawn care equipment, start shopping early. Compare the prices quoted by several dealers and choose the ones that work best with your budget. Keep in mind that it’s always best to invest in quality equipment even if it means paying a bit more.

Get Your Sprinkler System Inspected

Once the ground starts to thaw and you’re ready to start watering your lawn again, don’t just turn the sprinkler system on. Take the time to get the system inspected before you run your first cycle. During the inspection, your repair technician will make sure the lines, heads, and controller are still in good condition. If they find any issues, they’ll be able to fix the problems before you need to rely on your system for the warmer months. If you don’t already have a sprinkler system in place, early spring is the perfect time to install a new system. Your lawn will have plenty of time to recover after the system is in place.

Keep These Tips in Mind

Getting your lawn to look great as quickly as possible can feel like a momentous challenge if you’re not prepared. Try these simple tips on your property and you’ll be able to get your lawn ready for the growing season in no time. Just make sure to give your sprinkler system the same TLC. Contact our team to schedule an inspection before the growing season starts up.