Here are some tips for caring for your dormant grass this winter.
During winter, warm-season grasses go into dormancy during cold weather, like a state of hibernation. But dormant grass doesn’t mean dead grass. A dormant lawn needs late fall and winter lawn care to protect it from the cold, prevent diseases, and ensure a lush, green lawn when warmer temperatures return in early spring. Here are some tips for caring for your dormant lawn.
Remove Leaves and Debris
Dormancy is a natural process that occurs when the temperature drops, causing grass to slow down its growth. Compared to the active growing season in summer, dormant lawns don’t require as much lawn maintenance, but they are more vulnerable. To care for dormant grass during winter months, remove leaves and debris to prevent disease, promote air circulation, and allow sunlight to reach the lawn.
Water Lightly and Check the Soil
During a very dry winter season, lawns may also need light watering. While the grass is dormant, it won’t recover quickly from stress. Try to avoid excessive foot traffic to prevent compaction. Winter is also a great time for soil testing to check for any nutrient deficiencies. Limestone applications can be applied during the winter months to help balance the pH of the soil.
Weed Control
During early to late fall, pre-emergent weed control can be applied to prevent winter weeds from popping up during dormancy. The grass may go dormant during winter months, but weeds do not! Pesky weeds can be a bright green eyesore in dormant grass, and pre-emergent herbicides are the best way to get ahead of weed control at any time of the year. Weed prevention should be applied in each season of the year to stop weeds from germinating in the soil.
Know When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn
Knowing when to stop mowing is crucial for winter lawn care. As grass enters dormancy, gradually reduce mowing frequency. When the grass stops actively growing, typically in late fall, you can safely stop mowing for the season. Avoid scalping your lawn or mowing too short in the fall. Mowing too low can leave the grass exposed to harsh winter weather. When it’s time to store your lawn mower for the season, take some time to give it a good cleaning, replace the mower blades, and change the oil.
Get Your Yard Ready for Winter!
Since our inception from a humble 30-acre field to over 4,500 acres of turf grasses, Quantico Creek Sod Farm is now the LARGEST SOD FARM IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. Our service areas cover Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC Delaware, Virginia and Northern North Carolina. Order early and order often to ensure the best service possible. Contact us through our online page. Please find us at 27616 Little Lane, Salisbury, Maryland 21801. Our phone number is 410-726-6103, and our fax number is 410-742-6550. Speak to Jason Anderson for Turf Grass Sales. Reach him by email at jason@quanticocreeksod.com. Finally, follow us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and our blog