| Lower the Cutting Height of Your Mower | | | | through the winter. The grass can be smothered by |
| In the fall the cutting height of your mower should | | | | the leaves and die and the leaves can decompose |
| be gradually lowered in order to begin the winter with | | | | under a layer of snow and cause damage to the |
| no tender young grass that will be susceptible to | | | | grass. The leaves can be used later in the year for |
| disease. In addition young grass will be vulnerable to | | | | composting or mulching so before you rake the |
| drying out in the cold winter winds leaving you with a | | | | leaves decide how you will be using them as this |
| brown lawn. Lower the cutting height in steps so that | | | | makes a difference in how they are treated. |
| the grass is gradually cut shorter or you may damage | | | | Composting the Leaves |
| the turf by removing all the green growth. | | | | In composting organic material is completely broken |
| Fertilise the Lawn | | | | down to release nutrients into the soil. Composting is |
| It is a good idea to give your lawn a final dose of | | | | not an easy task, the leaves cannot just be tossed |
| slow release nitrogen fertiliser in the fall. The nutrients | | | | into a container and left! for good compost start by |
| will not be used immediately as the grass is becoming | | | | shredding the leaves with a garden shredder or by |
| dormant but they will be stored ready for use in the | | | | running them over with a lawn mower. Place the |
| Spring. | | | | shredded leaves in the bin and add water. The |
| Aerate the Lawn | | | | materials need to be mixed well and turned regularly. |
| Give your lawn a final aerating before the winter sets | | | | After the decomposition of the leaves is complete |
| in. This will discourage thatch growth and prepare the | | | | the compost still needs to be protected from the |
| lawn for good growth in the | | | | elements to prevent loss of all the nutrients. |
| Spring. | | | | Mulching the Leaves |
| Watch Out For Weed Growth | | | | A mulch is used to act as a protection for soil of the |
| During the winter the grass is growing more slowly | | | | lawn and has to act as a barrier to the elements. |
| but weeds will be growing much faster. Remove any | | | | Leaves and other organic material therefore do not |
| weed growth regularly to prevent damage to your | | | | need to be decomposed as decomposed material will |
| lawn. Weeds growing unchecked all winter can kill all | | | | not make a good barrier. Mulches are usually finely |
| your grass before the Spring. | | | | chopped grass or leaves. After shredding place the |
| Water the Lawn | | | | mulch in a bin to protect it from the elements. You |
| Grass in your lawn will need watering a lot less often | | | | are aiming to preserve the integrity of the leaves or |
| than in the summer months. As long as the ground is | | | | grass rather than encouraging decomposition. |
| not frozen the lawn should be watered about once a | | | | Shredded leaves will pack down less than whole |
| month. Take care of areas that are exposed including | | | | leaves. No water should be added as this will |
| slopes, south or west facing areas and place where | | | | encourage the leaves to decompose and the leaves |
| grass is growing on shallow soil. | | | | do not need turning as the leaves in the compost bin |
| Remove the Fallen Leaves | | | | need. |
| Removing leaves from your lawn is essential at this | | | | With good care your lawn will weather the winter |
| time as they can cause damage to your lawn if left | | | | and in the Spring you will have a lawn to be proud of. |