Winter brings picturesque snow-covered landscapes but beneath the serene beauty lies the potential for significant damage to your turf. Heavy snowfall can have adverse effects on your lawn that extend beyond the surface. Learn about snow’s effects on lawns, ways to mitigate lawn damage due to heavy snowfall, and tips for fixing snow-damaged turf.
What Effects Does Snow Have On Grass?
A little bit of snow won’t significantly damage your lawn, even if you haven’t winterized it. As long as your grass is healthy before it goes dormant in winter, it will survive beneath a snowfall without suffering any long-term problems. A little snow build-up in your lawn may even offer a degree of insulation and keep the temperature between the snow and the ground stable.
Snowfall can also increase your soil’s nitrogen level. Snow in the ground captures ambient nitrogen in the atmosphere. As the blanket of snow melts when the temperature warms up, it slowly releases nitrogen into the soil. Nitrogen is a crucial macronutrient for lawns, as it helps grass blades grow strong and straight and become more vibrant. However, snow should not be a substitute for continuous fertilization throughout the year.
In addition, a layer of snow on the lawn prevents moisture loss by shielding the grass from the cold and dry winds of winter. Snowmelt will also make the soil moist, making it ready for planting come spring.
While mild snow benefits lawns in various ways, it still poses some risks. Specifically, heavy snowfall causes damage to your turf. The sheer weight of snow can pose a substantial risk to your lawn. As layers of snow accumulate, they compress the grass beneath, causing the blades to bend over and become matted, leaving the grass to die.
Another problem with heavy snowfall is snow mold. Snow mold is a fungal disease that forms when snow cover remains on the lawn for too long. It leaves unsightly white, pink, or gray patches in the lawn. And once you see snow mold on your lawn, there’s nothing much you can do except wait for the temperature to warm up.
Ways to Prevent Lawn Damage Caused By Heavy Snowfall
If you want your lawn to bounce back quickly and easily in spring, implement preventative measures to protect your lawn in case of heavy snowfall. Here are some tips to help protect your lawn during snowy conditions:
Add Mulch
One effective way to shield your lawn from snow-related damage is to apply a layer of mulch before the first snowfall. Mulch acts as insulation, providing a protective barrier between the snow and the grass. This insulation helps regulate soil temperature and prevents the grass from succumbing to the extreme cold. Additionally, mulch can enhance water retention in the soil, ensuring that your lawn remains adequately hydrated throughout the winter. You can ask an expert in lawn care near you for tips on how to properly mulch your lawn before the cold season.
Use Lawn-Friendly De-Icing Agents
In regions where icy conditions are prevalent, the use of de-icing agents becomes crucial. Most de-icing products contain compounds that can physically burn grass or other plants if they come in contact with it. Choosing a lawn-friendly de-icing agent is one effective way to minimize damage caused by snow. Magnesium chloride is a good alternative to rock salt because it is less likely to harm your lawn while effectively combating ice.
Don’t Add Snow to Your Lawn
You typically need to shovel the pathway and driveway after a heavy snowfall, so it’s easier to move around. Although shoveling snow can help you lose a few pounds, it’s never a fun activity for most. Nevertheless, avoid piling snow on the side of your lawn because heavy piles of snow will only stress the grass.
Consider creating a snow shoveling plan before you start the chore. Determine areas you need to clear and a few locations to dump the snow to make the task a little less tedious. Also, don’t forget to protect yourself with a layer of winter clothing, take frequent breaks, and stay hydrated.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Overhanging branches can act as snow catchers, leading to heavier snowfall in certain areas. Trimming trees and shrubs before winter sets in can help minimize snow accumulation on your lawn. In addition to minimizing snowfall on your lawn, pruning trees and shrubs can make your landscape look neat in the winter. It’s also a great winter landscaping activity to keep winter blues at bay.
Maintain Your Irrigation System to Prepare for Thawing Periods
Don’t forget to take care of your irrigation system if you have one. Proper irrigation system maintenance can save you a major headache and expenses come spring. Make sure to drain the irrigation system and shut off the water supply before winter so that water will not freeze and damage the pipes, valves, and other system components. Wrap above-ground components with insulation material, like foam insulation tape, to protect them from harsh winter conditions.
Regularly Check Drainage Systems and Water Flow
The temperature will gradually increase, and snow will melt. Drainage systems play a crucial role in ensuring snowmelt will not pool in your lawn and drown your grass and garden plants. That’s why it is crucial to ensure the drainage functions well and the water flows properly. Fully functioning drainage systems will also prevent many other common issues when ice thaws in winter, including basement flooding.
Follow these tips to minimize the damage of snowfall on your lawn. Also, remember to keep everyone off the grass after heavy snowfall or when there’s a frost. Frozen grass blades easily snap when stepped on.
How Do You Fix Snow-Damaged Grass?
If your lawn unfortunately gets damaged by snow, don’t worry — you can still get your lawn back in shape for spring and summer. The first thing to do is assess your lawn’s condition. Find out whether the grass is dead or just dormant by pulling out a handful of brown grass. You’ll feel some resistance from dormant grass and nothing from dead grass.
If the grasses are dead, you need to make plans for its repair. Remove as much dead tissue as you can by raking, and find good quality seeds appropriate for your area for reseeding. You may also need to aerate the ground to loosen up the soil and allow better drainage.
The best option for fixing snow-damaged lawns is calling lawn care experts. Professionals can diagnose the issue accurately and determine the best and fastest solutions for restoring your lawn to its former beauty. By hiring lawn care professionals, you won’t have to do most of the heavy lifting.
Contact Professional Lawn Care to Winterize Your Lawn
Winterizing your lawn is crucial to safeguard its health during the colder months. LawnMart’s comprehensive organic lawn care services include a thorough assessment of your lawn’s specific needs, application of all-natural winter fertilizers, aeration, and targeted weed control.
By entrusting us with your winterization needs, you’re investing in a lush, resilient lawn that will greet the spring with vitality. Our expert team is dedicated to ensuring your lawn thrives no matter the season. We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch lawn care tailored to your unique requirements.
Prepare your lawn for the winter chill and make sure it bounces back int he spring. Contact LawnMart lawn care experts today to schedule your winterization service and enjoy a worry-free, vibrant lawn throughout the seasons.