It's early in the winter season and already it seems there is going to be a lot of snow this year. Most parts of the U.S. have already experienced their first snowfall of the year including places that almost never see snow like Texas!

The better you prepare your lawn for this onslaught of winter weather, the healthier it will be when the spring thaw rolls around. Consider taking some or all of the following measures if you haven't already:

A Nice Clipping

Give your lawn a nice clipping, not a buzz. When you cut your grass too short before the winter season, you can run the risk of killing the lawn via frost damage over the winter. However, you don't want to leave the lawn too tall either. Grass left uncut will eventually grow diseased in most cases.

Cut your lawn one last time prior to regular snowfall but move the setting on your mower up a few notches. Just like telling your barber not to take too much off the top, do the same for your lawn this winter!

Rake

It is crucially important that you rid your lawn of fallen leaves before snowfalls. Leaves buried under snow will decompose and damage your lawn. When the snow finally melts, the water and decomposing leaves will leave behind an unsavory mess that will certainly damage your lawn.

If you want your lawn looking good in 2010, clear off the leaves from the fall of 2009!

Don't Walk on Snow-Covered Lawn

When a snowfall hits your lawn, don't let friends and family walk through the grass thereby compacting the snow against the lawn. This essentially chokes your lawn and can kill the grass beneath the packed snow. If you must walk on your lawn over the winter, clear some walking paths after a snowfall so there isn't ugly evidence of footprints in the form of dead grass next spring.

Lay Down a Thin Layer of Thatch

Laying down a thin layer of thatch prior to winter can be beneficial for your lawn. "Thin" is the imperative word here. Too much thatch will is conducive to creating fungus issues in your lawn, so thatch in moderation.