Some people overestimate how much work it takes to maintain their lawn in the winter. Sure, it can feel like a daunting task when you’re up against the likes of snow mold, frozen ground and desiccation, but it’s not as difficult as you may think. There are many tips and tricks you can use to keep your Tulsa lawn healthy all winter long. Following these tips will help your lawn to bounce right back once spring has sprung.
Be a Lawn Whisperer
It’s really important that you learn to read the cues your lawn is giving you. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to assume that their lawn is dead once winter hits, but that’s not the case. Your lawn is a living ecosystem, an ecosystem that may go dormant once the thermometer dips but is still very much alive and kicking.
It’s normal for grass to turn brown or yellow in the winter. It may not look great but that’s how it will look when it is dormant. You have to think of it as survival mode for your lawn since it’s only using the minimal amount of resources it has built up all year long it needs to survive. So, don’t give up on brown or yellow grass, it’s not dead.
Keep Desiccation in Check
Desiccation occurs in the winter when your grass is dormant and the roots can’t supply enough nutrients or water to the grass leaf, causing it to die. You can’t avoid desiccation – some parts of your lawn are going to die no matter what you do. But, you can take steps to save the majority of your lawn by making sure to fertilize and water.
Water in the winter? Yes! If you can you should keep watering your lawn up until the ground becomes too frozen. Snow will help too since snow cover is your anti-desiccation ally. It provides protection from the wind and adds moisture to the grass – so the more snow the less desiccation you may have.
Snow Mold Safeguards
Move over the Abominable Snowman, snow mold is here! While snow may be helpful to avoid desiccation it can have one pretty terrible side effect – snow mold. Yeah – snow mold is a real beast.
Snow mold is a grass disease that impacts lawns when they are covered by frost or snow for long periods of time. But you shouldn’t worry too much because snow mold isn’t inevitable for your lawn. If you have a continual fertilization routine all year long then the risk of snow mold rearing its ugly head is pretty small. Consistent lawn maintenance will cut those chances even further.
Let Your Lawn Breathe
If you can, you should avoid walking on your grass in the winter, especially if it’s covered with frost or snow. Sure – it may not be always practical or possible to avoid walking on your lawn, but it will pay off to be aware that if your lawn is already struggling to maintain in the winter that walking on it will only make things worse. So pretend your lawn is a grumpy teenager and give it some space this winter.
If you have questions about the best way to care for your Tulsa lawn throughout the winter months, Lawn Love is always here to help!
Main Image Credit: maykal | Adobe Stock Free | License
