Fall always seems to slip by so quickly. One day it’s jacket weather, crisp air, and falling leaves, and then, all of a sudden the morning dew turns to morning frost. As the temperatures drop, it’s important to consider how cold weather affects your lawn. Remember, a lawn that is well prepped and cared for in the winter will come back healthier in the spring.
Frozen grass breaks more easily
When your grass has a layer on frost layered on top of it, it’s best to avoid stomping all over it. The more you walk on frozen grass, the higher the chance you will damage the grass blades. Frozen grass blades are much more susceptible to breakage and could easily snap under the sole of your shoe. Those broken blades can lead to dead, brown spots in the spring, so it’s best to stay off your grass as much as possible during the cold season.
Fertilizer and weed killers are less effective
It’s essential to do a final round of weed killer and fertilizer application near the end of fall. Those final applications will better prepare your lawn for the long, harsh winter. If you wait too long, the cold weather will prevent the weed and fertilizer treatments from working to their full potential. Cold temperatures and hard soil block treatments from permeating the soil and reaching the roots.
If you have not had one last fall fertilizer treatment yet, make sure you schedule fertilizer application services soon!
Snow mold can harm your lawn
Snow mold is a fungus that thrives during cold weather. Unfortunately, most people don’t notice snow mold until the signs pop up in spring. After a cold winter, you might notice that your lawn is covered in grayish-white rings or spots or has matted and crusted grass. These are tell-tale signs of snow mold.
When it comes to snow mold, the best course of action is prevention. Before the first snow fall, make sure you properly prep your lawn. It’s important to mow low right before the cold hits because longer grass is more prone to snow mold. Your final mow for the season should be 1- 1 ½ inches shorter than normal.
You’ll also want to make sure you take care of leaf removal before the first snow fall. If leaves are left on your lawn and then covered up with snow, they will not only further block sunlight and nutrients from reaching the soil, but they will also create a breeding ground for snow mold.
Be mindful of snow pileups on your lawn. You don’t need to shovel your entire yard and keep it completely snow-free, but you want to avoid any large piles of snow. When shoveling your driveway, be careful not to create dense piles on the grass along the edge. Packed snow will take longer to melt, which means your grass will be under the snow for much longer.
Not sure how to prepare your lawn for the winter? We can help! Contact Hackmann Lawn & Landscaping for all your lawn care needs at (636) 688-6647.
