How to Maintain Your Grass During Winter

Winter doesn’t mean inches of snow on our lawn here in the Southeast, but it does mean your lawn looks brown and goes dormant. But, don’t worry! Although it looks unsightly and dead, it’s not. It’s just dormant. When cooler weather sets in, it’s time to give your lawn one final cut before it goes dormant. A good rule of thumb is "when it's growing we're mowing" -- and it won't be growing for several months!

A Final Lawn Hurrah!

Before the winter months, shorter days, and cooler weather set in, give your lawn one final cleanup. For us here in the Southeast, this usually happens in October. First, rake up those fall leaves. While the beautiful leaves make a picturesque backdrop for family photos, they don’t help your lawn. Rotting leaves can trap moisture, causing damage and disease and suffocating the lawn. After raking the leaves, aerate and fertilize. This step will give your lawn fresh air and nutrients which will sprout into a green, healthy lawn in the spring. 

You May Be Wondering….(AKA Lawn FAQs)

Tackle winter lawn care with Waynes. 

Do I need to mow my lawn during the winter?

No. A simple way to remember this is, ‘When it’s growing, we’re mowing’. When it’s dormant, new growth isn’t happening, therefore, there’s no need to mow. 

Do I need to water my lawn in the winter? 

Not usually. There’s enough moisture from an occasional rain or light frost to hydrate your lawn. Watering a dormant lawn can do more harm than good. Your grass is sleeping! Watering your lawn can cause your roots to rot and excess water around the roots combined with freezing temperatures can kill your grass. As they say, let sleeping dogs lie--or in this case, sleeping grass. 

New Life 

Typically between March through May here in the Southeast, it’s time to start working out in the yard again. Your lawn is done resting and is ready for care. When you start to notice the grass turning from brown to green, and sprouting new shoots, it’s time to get to work. Temperatures rise and the grass wakes up to bathe in the Southern sunlight. But, until then, you can check other things off the honey-do list between October and Spring. 

We’re fortunate to have long summers and mild temps in the South, so take a break and let your lawn rest. Before you know it, you’ll be spending days in the heat treating your lawn. New year, new grass? Learn more about the next steps this Spring.

If you’re wondering how to care for your lawn throughout the year, Waynes has a host of blogs to help you DIY your lawn care. And, if your list gets too long, and you want us to handle your lawn care, call the pros. We’ve served the Southeast for 50 years and would be happy to make your lawn lush and healthy.