Winter lawn damage

How to prevent winter lawn damage?

Winter lawn damage will be a concern for next few months.  Freezing temperatures are coming soon!  So what do these freezing temperatures mean for your Macon / Warner Robins lawn? Extreme cold can cause damage to both your turf and your plants. The extent of the damage depends on certain weather conditions. Your lawn and garden are particularly susceptible when temperatures fluctuate between warm and freezing in a short period of time. Understanding the threat of freeze damage and how you can control it is an important component of effective Macon / Warner Robins lawn care. 

Threats to Your Lawn

winter lawn damage

frost on turf

If your turf is shocked by a sudden onset of freezing temperatures with very little time to acclimate to the change, it is more likely to experience winter lawn damage. Grass tolerance to cold is heavily dependent on how well your lawn is maintained throughout the year. Adhering to effective mowingwateringaeration and fertilization practices will help increase your lawn’s resistant to winter lawn damage. Here are some targeted measures to consider that will help reduce lawn damage this season:

  • Apply fertilizers with potassium in the fall to help winterize your lawn.
  • Build up any low zones in your lawn to prevent water from collecting and freezing in those areas.
  • Apply fertilizers in the spring to help your lawn bounce back and recover from the stress of winter.

Thankfully, healthy grass is pretty resilient, so if you notice brown, damaged areas in the spring it’s nothing you won’t be able to repair, just give us a call or email us.

Threats to Your Trees and Shrubs

Ornamental trees and shrubs are also subject to winter injury, particularly with sudden temperature changes. Like your lawn, trees and shrubs are less likely to be damaged by the cold if they are healthy and well cared for year round. Here are some preventative measures you can take to help keep your plants healthy through winter:

  • Freshen up your mulch to help insulate your plants and retain moisture.  Add a 2-4 inch layer of pine straw, wood chips, or any type of mulch.
  • To prevent trunks from cracking in the extreme cold, wrap the trunks of young trees and shrubs from ground level up to about 4 feet. There are several kinds of tree wrap available.
  • Wait to prune most flowering plants until after the last frost to prevent freeze damage.
  • Cover less hardy plants like azaleas and hollies with burlap or plant protection bags when temperatures drop below freezing. Better yet, if they’re potted, move plants indoors until it warms up.
  • Don’t worry about weird patterns in your lawn.  Frost is a normal occurrence and it is a natural  transition to dormancy.

Cold damage can be a concern throughout the winter. Lawns and plants are especially vulnerable when spring approaches as temperatures rise some days but other days we are hit with cold spells. Keep this threat in mind and be as proactive as possible with your Macon / Warner Robins lawncare to help minimize damage.