Removing Snow Without Damaging Turf

While many people are still in the fall mindset, it is no secret that winter is right around the corner. Having a game plan on how to deal with a polar vortex or a snow storm will not only help when it comes to clearing clients' driveway, but it will also help ensure their lawns remain in good shape when the spring weather arrives.

The removal of snow from a property can be a headache, but it is an essential practice to keep your driveway, walkways and sidewalks clear of what could be as high as multiple feet of snow. The challenge is keeping the snow clear without causing damage to your lawn. 

The Earlier the Better

When it comes to clearing pathways, the sooner you plow the better. Allowing the snow to sit will make it more difficult to clear as the snow will begin to compact, thus making it more difficult to clear a path on the pathway and driveway. Doing the job sooner will not only make life easier, but it is much safer for the property and landscape as well. A tougher plow increases the force needed for it to clear, which increases the risk of damage being caused to your grass and landscape.

Invest in a Snow Blower

Snow blowers can be a great resource for not only driveways and sidewalks, but for yards overall. A snow blower can be used to clean up those walkways without having a direct impact on yard lines or turf since it avoids touching the grass. It also makes the job a whole lot easier and quicker. Consider investing in one during the off-season to save some serious money.

Buy a Better Shovel

A high-quality shovel is a must for anyone clearing snow. A bad shovel can make life a lot more difficult, taking even longer to clear a driveway, potentially even leading to damage to your turf and soil. A flimsy scoop and weak overall build can lead to headaches for people dealing with a polar vortex, when the snow itself is already making life miserable. A sturdy shovel will help get the job done but can also ensure the walkways are clear, preventing damage to bordering grass.

Stake Out Property Lines

A lot of northern parts of the country will experience feet of snow rather than inches, making it hard to know where clients' yard barriers are. Keeping an eye on snow storms and winter weather and marking down property lines can help you keep track of what needs to be plowed. Mark where the driveway ends and when the lawn begins, as well as where the property line ends and the areas where your yard meets a roadway. This will allow snow contractors to avoid shoveling and snow blowing over clients' grass and turf, helping avoid damage to property. It can also help notify drivers and snow plows of where not to plow, helping that part of a yard to be preserved.

Avoid Using Salt Snow mold, a turf disease, can appear due to damageWeed Man

While using salt to clear icy pathways can be very helpful, doing it in areas close to your lawn can lead to some serious damage come springtime. The chemicals from the salt draws moisture from the grass, which, in turn, affects the soil and can lead to browning of the grass. That makes the use of salt dangerous to the health of your lawn and can lead to more headaches once the snow melts.  Due to the danger of salt, alternatives of salt-sand mixtures have become much more popular to have a clean way of increasing traction in icy conditions.