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Lawn Doctor Early Winter 2023 Turf Alert

Winter Tips for your Lawn and Landscape

Winter Lawn, Tree and Shrub preparation tips.
Mower Winterizing Tips
2024 Confirmation

December 19, 2023

We have already had some snow this fall to remind us that winter is coming.

While we have very little chance of snow in the forecast for Christmas, it is still good to prepare. Below are some tips to help get your property ready.

Tip #1: Use snow stakes. We repair thousands of dollars of snow plow damage in lawns in the spring and find that customers who use snow stakes on curb & driveway edges have almost no damage.

Snow stakes sit about 4 feet out of the ground and are hammered right in on the curb/driveway edge to identify the edge of the road/driveway and yard. They can be purchased at home improvement stores for super cheap!

PLEASE, PLEASE invest the small amount ($30-40) now as a preventative measure to save money and time and headache next Spring!

Seeding or sodding in the spring can be $100's to $1000's of dollars AND a muddy mess until new grass is established. (In addition, seeding sunny driveway areas in the Spring can mean weeds and crabgrass in those areas all summer..

Tip #2: Keep salt out of the yard. Most people have to use salt & ice melt to break through some of the ice during the winter. Unfortunately, sodium chloride is bad for the lawn so if you use it on the driveway or sidewalk, try to shovel the salt down to the street side.

Tip #3: Use non-sodium ice melt. On small areas like sidewalks, use something that is safer for the lawn and plants. Calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and other ice melt products are not only safer for the lawn, they are safer for your pets' feet as well. Read the label first! Salt can cause a mild chemical burn to your hands, so be careful not to let it get into your gloves.

Here are a few examples:

Keep it Green- https://a.co/d/g4Ha1bj

Safe Step - https://a.co/d/eyt36xA

Kind Melt - https://a.co/d/emoq4zd

Green Gobbler- https://a.co/d/emoq4zd

Tip #4: Use care when knocking snow off shrubs. The weight of the snow can be a concern to the health of your ornamental shrubs. Be careful when trying to knock snow off the branches of the smaller evergreens, we have seen several shrubs damaged when the homeowner tried to "help" the shrub by knocking off the snow. If you have access to one, use a leaf blower instead of a shovel.

Tip #5: Throw snow away from shrubs. While a small amount of snow on shrubs can protect it from harsh temperatures, too much snow can be harmful to them. Be selective where you throw your snow and your shrubs will thank you.

Tip #6: Remember how fun snow used to be! We are blessed here with 4 seasons (sometimes in the same week) but don't forget to try to enjoy some of the wintry season. Make a snow angel, build a snowman, toss a snowball at your loved one, and take time to watch a snowflake fall all the way to the ground.

Mower Winterizing Tips

Make sure to winterize your mower before you put it away for the season. You’ll thank yourself next spring when your mower is clean and ready for your first mow of the season.

A mower that sits with gas all winter can have damage to the rubber and plastic parts and will many times have a “gummed up” carburetor in the spring.

Many people will run the gas out, but this can still leave leftover fuel in the bowl of the carburetor. Adding a fuel stabilizer (like Sta-bil or others) improves the likelihood that the gas will not plasticize while it sits in the carburetor without running for a long period of time. Even a small amount of gas can cause the float and pin to stick open or closed, which can lead to a mower that won't start in Spring.

2024 Lawn Doctor Service Confirmation

Your 2024 renewal emails & letters went out in December. Please remember as a courtesy to all of our customers, services continue year to year.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your 2024 program, please let us know.

Merry Christmas & wishing you a Happy 2024!

Your Lawn Doctor of Madison Family

Christina, Jerry, Amy, Rob, Josh, Mike, Jacob, Peter & Scott

(563) 690-5296

www.lawndoctor.com

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

If you are struggling to find a gift for that "hard to shop for" friend or family member AND you want to support small businesses, consider the gift of lawn care or mosquito control. Email or call and we'll be happy to give you a quote. Gift certificates are also available.

Give us a text, call or reply with any questions or concerns: (563) 690-5296