❄️ Lawn Care in Winter: What NOT to Do When It’s Cold

Just because your lawn stops growing in winter doesn’t mean you can ignore it completely. Some of the worst lawn mistakes happen during the cold months, and they can leave you with a sad, patchy yard come spring.

Let’s talk about what NOT to do when winter hits.

1. Don’t Walk on Frozen Grass

When grass is frozen or frosty, it becomes brittle, like tiny glass straws. Walking on it can crush the blades and damage the crown (the part that regrows in spring).

Why it matters: You could leave behind dead spots and brown footprints that take months to fix.

Do this instead: Stick to sidewalks or shoveled paths when it’s icy or frosty out.

2. Don’t Leave Debris on the Lawn

Ignoring that pile of leaves or leftover lawn clippings might be tempting, but letting stuff sit all winter can suffocate your grass and invite mold or pests.

Why it matters:

Too much moisture and lack of sunlight under piles = dead patches and fungus.

Do this instead: Rake up debris before snow falls. Keep your lawn clean and breathable.

3. Don’t Use Too Much Salt Near Grass

Salt melts ice on sidewalks, but if it runs off into your lawn, it can damage the soil and kill grass roots.

Why it matters:

Salt buildup makes it hard for grass to grow, even when spring comes.

Do this instead: Use pet-safe or lawn-safe ice melt, and keep it away from grass edges.

4. Don’t Fertilize Too Late

Once the ground is frozen, it’s too late for fertilizer to do any good — it just washes away. And over-fertilizing can harm your lawn during dormancy.

Why it matters:

You’re wasting product, money, and risking runoff that pollutes water.

Do this instead: If you’re going to fertilize, do it in late fall while the ground is still soft.

5. Don’t Forget About Snow Mold

Snow mold is a fungus that forms under melting snow, especially if your grass is too long or covered in leaves.

Why it matters:

You’ll wake up to slimy, dead patches in the spring — gross.

Do this instead: Mow one last time before the first snow, and don’t leave leaves behind.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Panic If Your Lawn Looks Ugly

Grass naturally turns brown or tan in winter — it’s just dormant, not dead! As long as you avoid the mistakes above, it’ll bounce back when the weather warms up.

Final Thoughts

Winter lawn care is mostly about what NOT to do. Avoid walking on frosty grass, clean up debris, and don’t overdo salt or fertilizer. Take care of your yard now, and it’ll thank you in spring 🌱.