Winter can be a challenging season for lawns. Freezing temperatures and snow can stress the grass, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Without proper winter grass care, your lawn may struggle to bounce back in the spring, resulting in weak and patchy growth.
These expert tips can help you protect your lawn during winter and prepare it for a vibrant spring emergence. A few key steps now can make all the difference in your grass’s ability to survive winter dormancy.
Step 1: Prepare Your Lawn Height in Fall for Winter Survival
Fall is the best time to prepare your lawn for success before the cold weather sets in. Gradually lower your mowing height throughout the fall to prepare for winter and avoid scalping the grass. Keeping your grass short through the winter helps prevent snow mold while also leaving enough blades for your grass to get the water and sun it needs.
Step 2: Keep Your Lawn Free of Debris and Fallen Leaves
One of the best tips for winter grass care is to ensure your lawn is free of debris. While the autumn leaves may be fun to jump into and complete the fall aesthetic, leaving them on your lawn over the winter can cause your lawn more harm than good.
The leaves and debris can trap moisture and create the ideal breeding ground for fungal diseases and harmful mold. To allow the grass to breathe, use a rake, leaf blower, or mulching mower to keep your lawn clear without damaging the grass blades.
Step 3: Apply a Winter Fertilizer for Stronger Grass Roots
Preparing your grass for winter ensures it’ll thrive in the spring and summer. A combination of dethatching, aeration, and proper fertilization can help prevent soil compaction from interfering with nutrient, oxygen, and water absorption. These steps ensure the appropriate winter fertilizer can reach the roots effectively.
Cool-season grasses
Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in late fall before the first frost begins. This fertilization helps develop strong roots and enhances your grass's carbohydrate storage. It also ensures the grass has enough nutrients to survive its dormant period and bounce back in the spring, even in areas with heavy snowfall.
If you live in a milder climate where your cool-season grasses don’t go dormant, a slow-release fertilizer applied in earlier fall will ensure that the grass has enough nutrients until your next fertilization cycle in the spring.
Warm-season grasses
A potassium-rich fertilizer is ideal for dormant warm-season grasses. Apply it in the early fall while the soil is still warm. This will prevent the grass from rapidly growing in the colder months and allow nutrients to reach the roots before they go dormant.
If you live in a milder climate with little snow, you can still use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer to prevent a growth surge.
Step 4: Limit Foot Traffic on Dormant Winter Grass
Grass in winter is particularly vulnerable during dormancy. Walking on frozen or snow-covered grass can break brittle blades and compact the soil, which creates bare patches and unhealthy growth once spring arrives. Instead, direct people to use walkways and paths instead of crossing directly on the lawn.
Step 5: Plan for Spring Recovery and Lawn Care
Grass in winter may seem dormant, but that means it’s the perfect time to start planning for its recovery. Once the snow melts, start checking for damage like mold, thinning grass, or bare spots, and nurture your lawn based on your grass type:
Cool-season grasses
Sometime between later winter and early spring, once the snow melts and the ground is no longer frozen, it’s time to begin your lawn recovery efforts for cool-season grasses. Start by checking your grass for damage, including snow mold and thinning spots. If you notice bare spots, fill those patches by overseeding your lawn. You’ll be rewarded by a lush, thick lawn in a matter of weeks.
Come early spring, it’s time to apply a balanced fertilizer rather than a nitrogen-heavy one. Spring fertilizer for cool-season grasses will help jumpstart growth and replenish nutrients lost in the winter season. This will also be the time to address compacted soil and thatch buildup to improve your lawn’s appearance and health.
Warm-season grasses
Wait until late spring, when the temperature is consistently above 65°F, to start your warm-season grass recovery efforts. This is the time to inspect for and overseed bare and patchy spots.
Apply a balanced fertilizer in mid to late spring to replenish nutrients lost over winter. If necessary, you can also aerate to reduce soil compaction.
Keep Your Lawn Healthy Year-Round with Lawn Pride’s Expertise
Lawn Pride® offers professional, year-round lawn care services tailored to your grass type, soil condition, and local climate. Our proven Winter grass care services keep your lawn prepared for the freezing winter so it can bounce back in the spring.
Invite our lawn care experts to assess your lawn’s specific needs and allow us to create a comprehensive care plan to maximize its health. From aeration to fertilization, our team uses professional-grade products and techniques, all backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise®.
With Lawn Pride, you can relax knowing your lawn is in expert hands. Request a free estimate for our local lawn care services today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can protect your lawn this winter and into the next.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.