For those that live in colder climates such as Scarborough, once the temperature drops and the snow begins to fall, your lawn goes dormant until spring. Although the snow can act as a protective layer to the lawn in most cases, you should also be aware that winter weather can also damage your lawn.
Scarborough lawn maintenance experts from Hank Deenen Landscaping Limited go into all the details.
What Causes Winter Lawn Damage?
The winter weather can damage your lawn in a number of ways. Firstly, when your lawn is exposed to freezing temperatures and things such as ice and wind, without the coverage of snow, it can actually cause it to dry out. Additionally, when temperatures are cold enough turfgrass may even freeze, causing further damage. Snow actually helps your lawn maintain moisture during its dormant period.
Other issues that can affect your lawn during the winter include the use of road salt and sand, essential for keeping those parking lots and walkways clear, but detrimental to your lawn. Salt dries out the soil and can prohibit healthy grass growth, as well as clog roots and prevent them from receiving nutrients. Proper drainage during winter is also a necessity to avoid ice pools in grassy areas that can tear apart plant tissue.
Signs of Winter Lawn Dormancy
You may notice that when the snow thaws and the temperature rises during the winter, your property’s lawn appears brown or “burnt.” This is actually no cause for concern and only signifies that your lawn is dormant, protecting itself until the spring thaw. It’s conserving its moisture due to the more extreme climate and should return to its lush, green state come springtime.
Tips for Minimizing Winter Lawn Damage
There are some steps you can take to ensure your lawn receives the minimal amount of damage during winter such as mowing your lawn shorter before the cold sets in to protect any new growth. Also, avoid the excessive use of ice melt and rock salt. Additionally, staying off the lawn during winter as much as possible can help prevent turf damage. You can also fertilize your lawn before the first winter freeze to ensure that once it thaws and the snow melts, it will bounce back with new growth in the spring.
Contact Hank Deenen Landscaping Limited for Lawn Maintenance in Scarborough
If you want to keep your landscape in great shape all year round, the professionals from Hank Deenen Landscaping Limited can help. In addition to lawn maintenance, we also specialize in commercial grounds maintenance, landscaping and gardening services, and snow removal.
For decades businesses in the greater Scarborough area have been trusting Hank Deenen Landscaping Limited for their lawn maintenance and landscaping services. Contact us online today for a quote or call (416) 757-3218.