More than likely, if you live within the Northern US or Canada, you are going to experience freezing temperatures during the fall and winter seasons. If temperatures remain below freezing for several months, this can be very unfortunate for trees and your lawn. Understanding what is happening to your lawn when the temps are freezing, and how each season can impact it, can help you better understand how to protect it.
Autumn
Fall is an important time to get your lawn ready in preparation for winter. During this time it is critical that you ensure your soil is fertilized and that you have raked up all the leaves. The fall can also be a great time for aeration. With freezing temps beginning as early as October in some regions, start your preparations as soon as the weather starts getting a bit cooler.
The ability of your grass to survive the winter and flourish the following spring depends greatly on your efforts and maintenance in the fall. If you forget or neglect to fertilize, rake the leaves, or water properly, the impact on your lawn can be disastrous. Don’t panic yet, though. Grass that is well established and healthy tends to be very resilient. So, with some planning and TLC, your lawn should be able to weather the winter and come back strong in the spring.
Winter
If winter is harsh and you are dealing with ice and snow for extended periods of time, caring for your lawn can be difficult. If you didn’t prepare well during fall, freezing temperatures can be especially problematic, increasing the likelihood that your lawn will be damaged over the winter season.
- Winter can make your grass look dead and brown. When winter is in full swing, your grass may look like it’s dead or dying. It is actually hibernating, conserving energy and nutrients by turning brown.
- Winter can cause some grass to die. Extreme weather conditions can cause some of your grass to die off, no matter how well you’ve prepared. Usually this is not enough to cause any real issues.
- Some grass can grow in winter. Some heartier types of grass don’t go dormant in the winter and will actually continue to grow. This includes varieties such as fescue and ryegrass. It is even possible to purchase seed that purposely formulated to stay green all winter long.
- Winter can bring mold issues. Snow mold is one issue to look out for during the wet winter months. It’s possible that it may develop regardless of how carefully you prepped your lawn during the fall season.
Spring
When spring comes and the temperature begins to warm, you will see if your protective measures taken the previous fall will pay off. It can, however, take some time for your lawn to recover, particularly if the winter was especially hard. You will need to be patient to see the extent of any winter damage, if any, so don’t get too carried away with restoration efforts too early in the spring season.