Snow fall and cold temperatures are no stranger when it comes to New York winters. There are several elements of the winter season that can cause damage to lawns. As you worked all spring and summer long to nourish your lawns, come the winter all that hard work can be in vain. Mickey’s LawnScapes will share some of the common winter damages that your lawn might be facing and what you can do to help prevent or repair your lawn come the spring.
Winter Weather
New York is known for having extreme cold temperatures, winds, snow and ice. These things can cause major lawn and turf damage. Even though most lawns will go dormant–which is a survival system for most grasses – some can die from the bitter cold. Since grass is a living organism it requires nutrition to help give it strength to combat freezing temperatures and other winter elements. That’s why in order to prevent frost damage, you will want to fertilize your lawn during early fall and just before the lawn goes into dormancy. While the lawn is still actively growing, you will want to provide the nutrition it needs to help give it strength to withstand the winter temperatures. Fertilizing in the fall allows it the chance to absorb the needed nutrients.
Snow Shovel & Plow Damage
When heavy snow fall occurs, sometime shoveling the snow from walkways or the use of snow plows are need to clear away driveways and roads. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep in mind or even determine the edges of your lawn. When the snow finally melts the newly revealed lawn damage can surprise homeowners. The best way to prevent plow or snow shovel damage is by clearing or marking the edges of the lawn. Flag stakes, poles, or wooden posts are good ways to mark the edges of the lawn to help prevent a plow driver from accidentally plowing the lawn.
Snow Mold
When a blanket of snow sets on the lawn for an extended period of time fungus known as snow mold can occur. Come spring when the snow has melted it may reveal that your lawn has been infected with this fungus. Certain grass species are prone to snow mold and more so than other turfs or grasses. A snow mold fungus thrives in thatches, soil, and decaying leaves that may be on or under your lawn. When snow cover sets on the lawn or the lawn is exposed to extended moisture, it creates the right conditions for snow mold to develop. Unfortunately, the only to help prevent snow mold is to clean the lawn before the snow hits. Keep fallen leaves, twigs, and other forms of debris off of the lawn. However, sometimes that isn’t enough. If a lawn still develops snow mold, come the spring the drier climate will often kill the mold. If the lawn was damaged by snow mold you may need top dressing, reseeding, or fertilization.
Landscape Design & Construction, Lawn Maintenance & More in Amagansett, Aquebogue, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Cutchogue, East Hampton, East Hampton North, Greenport, Jamesport, Laurel, Mattituck, Montauk, Nassau Point, Northville, Northwest Harbor, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southold, Springs, Wading River, Westhampton Beach in East End of Long Island, New York
For the most part, turfgrasses that are well cared for will be resilient and strong, but winter weather can be unforgiving for even the healthiest lawns. The dead patches that have suffered winter kill can take months to fill in again on their own, and some causes may even require you to reseed or resod the lawn. Make sure you prepare your lawn to help prevent winter damage. Come the spring, if you need assistance revitalizing your lawn, contact Mickey’s LawnScapes.
