Grass During the Winter
As winter arrives, you may notice your grass has turned a pale yellow or sad beige color. But winter grass, as dead as it may look, is still very much alive!
As temperatures cool, it’s as if your grass gets a memo that it isn’t going to be receiving as much sunlight as it did during spring, summer, and fall. So your grass slows its growth, focusing on sending rain and nutrients to the root systems as it patiently waits for spring. If it’s a particularly cold winter, some grasses may even go into a state of “deep sleep” called dormancy. Rest assured, though, if you care for your grass during the winter, it will turn green again come springtime.
What this means for lawn care
Now that you know your grass isn’t dead, you understand it needs the same love and care during the winter as it does the rest of the year! Here are a few ways to keep your winter grass healthy:
- Remove leaves regularly: Your grass needs to be able to breathe and receive sunlight during the winter months! So be sure to blow your lawn on at least a weekly basis this winter to prevent leaf buildup.
- Get a professional to aerate and fertilize your lawn: Extra air circulation and supplemental nutrients can benefit your winter grass tremendously. We recommend hiring an expert to handle this aspect of winter maintenance so that you don’t have to rent any special machinery or worry about accidentally “burning” your grass.
- Don’t walk on icy grass: Frozen grass is extra sensitive to pressure because it is more dry and brittle. So don’t step on icy grass, or you may cause parts of it to die.
Caring for your grass can become more difficult as cold temperatures set in. We understand how unappealing working outdoors sounds right now! Perhaps you’re unsure what your grass needs this winter or just don’t want to deal with it. Either way, let us know and we’ll be happy to brave the cold to keep your grass happy and healthy this winter.