How Can You Keep An Unseasonably Warm Winter From Wreaking Havoc On Your Lawn?
If you live in a part of the country that normally experiences a white Christmas, you may be enjoying an unseasonably warm stretch of weather this year. While these balmy temperatures can be great for outdoor gatherings or frost-free holiday shopping at an outlet mall, they can sometimes signal your lawn to begin growing -- which can cause springtime damage if freezing temperatures later hit. What should you do to ensure your lawn is guarded against potentially fluctuating temperatures? Read on to learn more about protecting your lawn during the winter.
Can warm winter temperatures damage your lawn?
In most parts of the U.S., lawn grasses go dormant during winter months. This process acts as a type of hibernation -- the grass may lose some chlorophyll (turning it brown or yellow) or stop growing, but it won't die. When spring weather and rains hit, the grass will be startled out of its long sleep and will again begin to grow and turn lush and green.
When springtime temperatures hit mid-winter and stick around for a few weeks, they can trigger your grass's active phase and cause your grass to again begin growing. While it can be tempting to cut your grass to give it a more uniform appearance, doing this could cause major damage to your lawn. Not only can mowing during a warm winter spell lead to soil divots if the ground is moist or freshly-thawed, it can expose the delicate half-inch of growth most susceptible to frost and snow damage. Cutting your grass too short during winter may prevent it from growing evenly (or even growing at all) during the spring and summer.
How can you protect your lawn against major temperature swings?
The best way to protect your lawn is to leave it alone. If you regularly rake and bag leaves that fall on your lawn, you may want to consider leaving them through the winter and mowing over them in the spring. These leaves provide a protective barrier from wind and moisture, and can block the sun to prevent excessive winter growth during warm spells.
You'll also want to stay off your lawn (or play in a less visible part) when the ground is totally frozen. Stepping on or sledding over frozen grass blades can damage them, and the extent of damage won't likely be known until the spring thaw hits. You're better off to spend your time playing in a public park and keeping your grass safe during extra-cold times of year. For more information, talk to a professional like Superior Lawn and Landscape.
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