What happens to your lawn when it is cold?

There are high chances that you will experience cold or freezing temperatures if your home is in the north of the United States or Canada. It is quite common for the ground to freeze during winter weather in these northern regions. If the snow and freezing temperatures continue for several months, it can be a problem for your lawn. You can learn more about how you can protect your lawn by looking at what happens during cold weather. Each season has a different effect. These tips will help you prepare to deal with the changes in conditions and temperatures.

Fall

You can think of autumn as your preparation to get the lawn ready for winter. This time is critical for raking leaves and fertilizing your soil to make it ready for winter. Fall is a good time to aerate the lawn. Get started as soon as the temperature starts to drop. It's possible that you will see freezing temperatures as early October or November depending on your location.

Fall maintenance is critical to ensure that your grass survives through winter and into spring. You can make your yard a disaster by not caring for the fall maintenance like trimming leaves, fertilizing, or watering. With a little care and love, grass that has been established for a while will be strong and resilient.

Winter

Winter lawn care is difficult because of the long-term effects of snow and ice. Freezing temperatures can have a negative effect on grass. If you don't do your fall preparation, your lawn could be damaged during the winter months. Winter is the most hazardous time for a lawn blade. Here are some ways cold weather can impact your lawn.

• Winter makes grass appear brown and dead. When snow and frost set in, grass can turn brown and appear dead. It has become dormant. The grass is browning to conserve nutrients and water. If it is properly prepared for winter, it will keep most of its grass alive, even if it is covered with snow or other ice.
• Some grass death or desiccation. It doesn't matter how prepared your grass is for winter, there will always be some casualties. Even when your grass is covered in frost or snow, extreme cold can lead to your grass not getting enough moisture. While some grass can be affected by this "desiccation", there is usually no significant problem.
• Continued growth by resilient safflower. Some "winter grasses", like ryegrass and Fescue, can continue to grow in winter. Winter grass seed is available that has been specifically designed to keep your lawn healthy during the winter months.
• The danger of mold damage. Snow mold is a very common disease in winter. While you can take preventative measures to minimize the likelihood of this happening, there is still a chance that it could develop on your lawn. But, you shouldn't let the danger of mold stop your lawn from being fertilized in the winter. After the grass has stopped thriving in the fall, but remains green on top with an active root system, apply winter fertilizer. In the Northern U.S. this is typically mid-late November, or early December.

Spring

If your fall preparations paid off, and your lawn survived this winter, spring is when will finally be visible. Patience is a virtue, especially when the winter has been harsh. Don't be too ambitious and don't try to do more than you need to at this time of the year. When your grass starts to recover, you will be able to start:

1. Grab large twigs, branches, and leaves that are lying on your lawn.
2. Take care of your lawn by fertilizing and overseeing it.
3. Repair large, exposed patches.
4. Keep your eyes open for the signs of trouble.
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