What Happens to your Lawn in Cold Weather?

You are more likely to experience freezing temperatures if you live in the northern United States or Canada. The ground can freeze in winter in these northern areas. Winter weather conditions and cold temperatures can have a negative impact on your lawn. This is especially true if it stays frozen for longer periods. For a better understanding of how to protect your lawn from the effects of cold weather, you can take a look at what happens when it is cold and how each season affects your lawn. You can prepare for this shift in temperature and condition by reading the information below.

Fall

Consider fall your preparation time for winter. It is important to get your lawn ready for winter by raking the leaves and fertilizing your soil. Fall is the best time of year to aerate lawns. It is best to start as soon the weather begins to turn cooler. You might even see freezing temperatures from October to November depending on where your home is located.

Fall maintenance is vital to ensure the survival of your grass throughout the winter season and into the next spring. Your yard will be in trouble if you don't do the following: fertilizing, watering and removing leaves. It is possible to maintain a healthy lawn with little care and attention.

Winter

Winter lawn care can prove difficult, especially with long periods of snow and/or ice. The effects of freezing temperatures on grass can be devastating. If your fall preparation was not completed, your lawn may suffer more damage during winter. Winter is a very dangerous season to be a grass blade. Below are some of the effects cold weather can have on your lawn.

• Winter causes grass to look brown and dead. The frost and snow can cause your grass to turn brown and look dead. Actually, it's become dormant. This happens because the grass is trying to conserve water and nutrients. It will still be viable even if it's covered in snow or ice if you prepare it well for winter.
• Some grass die and some desiccation. You can't prepare for winter without causing some grass death. Extreme cold can make your grass dry out, even if it is covered with snow or frost. Some grass can die due to "desiccation," but not enough to become a problem.
• Resilient grass continues to grow. Not all grass types go into hibernation. Some "winter grasses", such as ryegrass, will continue blooming and growing even under harsh winter conditions. Even winter grass seed can be bought that is specially designed to keep your lawn green in winter.
• Mold damage can be a serious threat. The most common winter grass disease is snow mold. While there are preventative steps that can greatly reduce this risk, there is still the possibility of mold developing on your lawn. Don't let the possibility of mold keep you from fertilizing your lawn during winter. You can apply winter fertilizer once the grass has stopped growing in fall but it is still green on the top and has an active root. This is usually in the Northern U.S. where it is often mid-late or early December.

Spring

Spring is the time you can finally see if all your fall preparations went well and your lawn survived the winter. If the winter was particularly severe, patience is a virtue. Don't let yourself get carried away or try to do too much too early in the season. Once your grass is healthy, you can get started.

1. Large twigs or branches that are obstructing your lawn should be removed.
2. You should fertilize your lawn and keep it trimmed.
3. Any large, bare spots should be repaired.
4. Keep ahead of the weeds
5.