Learn what you can do to protect your lawn from frost damage this season.
The morning frost that forms on blades of grass during a cold autumn or winter morning may look attractive but can lead to problems. When temperatures near the ground fall below 32 degrees, condensation or dew will transform into frost. Fortunately, you can take measures to protect your lawn from frost damage.
How Does Frost Affect Your Lawn?
During this time of year, lawns often develop frost overnight. When the temperature drops to the dew point, moisture in the air condenses onto the grass blades. Often the temperature can drop below 32 degrees at ground level when the temperature in the air does not. This type of frost usually develops quickly when temperatures drop. This is not immediately damaging to your lawn as the roots do not freeze in these circumstances.
However, there are certain precautions to take with frosty lawns. As water expands when it is frozen, the molecules in the grass become more fragile. When blades of grass are covered with frost, the cells can be frozen and shatter upon impact. This can damage the lawn area that has been impacted, often leaving tire tracks or footprints across the yard. The area of the lawn impacted by frost damage will eventually recover, though it may take until spring when warmer weather arrives and healthy regular growth resumes.
How to Prevent Frost Damage
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your lawn from frost damage.
- Do not walk on frosty grass. This can break the blades and cause damage.
- Remove unnecessary items from the yard. Large items, including furniture, can cast a shadow on the grass, and in these areas, frost can last for an extended period.
- Do not drive on the grass during winter. Even when the grass goes dormant, you can damage the blades.
When you follow these tips during the fall and winter, you can avoid causing long-term damage to your lawn.
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!