How does cold weather affect your lawn in the long-term?
Winter lawn care can be a challenge, especially when you can have extended periods of snow cover, frozen soil, and ice to deal with. Freezing temperatures have a detrimental effect on any grass, and your turf is even more susceptible to damage if you do not take care to prep your lawn in the fall through fertilizing and watering. So how can cold weather affect your lawn? There are a few signs you should look out for during this chilly season.
Brown Grass
When frost and snow arrive, your grass may soon start turning brown and look dead. However, your grass is not dead. It has just gone dormant for the season. When your grass turns brown, it conserves water and nutrients to help get through the winter and make it to spring. Even when your grass gets covered with snow and ice, if your turf was prepared correctly, it should bounce back just fine in the spring. If you see brown grass, know that it is more than likely temporary for the season.
Minor Desiccation
No matter how well you prepare for winter, there may be some turf loss during the season. Freezing weather, low humidity levels and constant winds can affect your lawn by removing necessary moisture, which results in desiccation or drying out of your grass. This can cause the grass to die off, but it shouldn’t be so much that it becomes a serious problem. Once the spring arrives, you can consult with the experts at Scientific Plant Service about overseeding these dead spots to plant new grass.
Some Continued Grass Growth
Not all types of grass hibernate through the winter. Some “winter grasses,” including fescue and some ryegrass, may continue to blossom and grow even during these harsh winter conditions. In fact, you can purchase winter grass seed that is designed to keep your lawn green during the winter months.
The Risk of Snow Mold Damage
A common grass disease that occurs during winter is snow mold. You can take preventive measures to avoid this condition, but its formation can be hard to predict. Fortunately, most snow mold is not going to have a long-lasting effect on your lawn.
Cold weather may affect your lawn in several ways. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your grass bounce back in the spring. If you are concerned about the health of your lawn, reach out to Scientific Plant Service to make sure that you are doing what you can to provide the best care year-round.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.