Lawn Maintenance –Winter “To Do” List

Updated 12/7/2023

Winter’s chill, with its accompanying wet and snowy weather, often invites us to the warmth of indoors. Yet, for the lawn care enthusiasts keen on outdoor activities, it’s crucial to recognize that the winter lawn care regimen is deliberately concise. Geography plays a pivotal role in determining your lawn’s needs during these colder months.

Grass Dormancy and Geographic Considerations

• Understanding Grass Types: Different grass types, especially warm-season varieties like Bermuda and Zoysia, enter dormancy in winter. This natural cycle varies significantly depending on your geographical location.
• Minimal Mowing Needs: In most regions, there is no need for regular mowing during winter. If necessary, for weedy or uneven lawns, keep the grass at about three inches to protect surface-level roots.
• Fescue Grass Care: For fescue lawns, which also have minimal winter needs, trim sparingly, if at all.

Leaf Management and Regional Weather Patterns

• Resist Over-Mulching: Avoid using a mower for leaf mulching during winter, especially in harsher climates, as it can expose and damage grass roots.
• Alternative Strategies: Opt for raking wet, clumped leaves, a task often determined by the intensity and frequency of winter storms in your area.

Preparing for Spring (Varies by Region)

• Seed and Sod Timing: The right time to plant new grass is when soil temperatures consistently reach about 75 degrees, which can vary widely by region, often not until May in many areas.
• Pruning in the Cold: Winter, particularly January, is ideal for pruning, but this can depend on your local climate and plant species.

Embrace the brief winter break from lawn mowing. The demands of lawn care are minimal now, but as the days grow longer and warmer, more active gardening and landscaping opportunities will arise, tailored to your specific geographic location.