Winter can be tough on your lawn. Snow, ice, salt, and fluctuating temperatures can leave your grass looking brown, patchy, or diseased. As spring approaches, taking the right steps to repair winter lawn damage will ensure a lush, green yard for the warmer months ahead. Here’s how to assess the damage and restore your lawn’s health before spring arrives.
1. Assess the Damage
Before starting repairs, inspect your lawn for signs of winter damage:
- Snow Mold: Circular, matted patches of gray or pink mold caused by prolonged snow cover.
- Salt Damage: Brown, dry grass along sidewalks and driveways from de-icing salts.
- Compacted Soil: Hard, waterlogged soil that prevents grass from growing properly.
- Bare Spots & Thinning Grass: Areas where winter stress has caused grass to die off.
Once you’ve identified the problem areas, you can begin targeted treatments.
2. Rake and Aerate Your Lawn
To kickstart the revival process:
- Rake matted grass to break up snow mold patches and allow airflow to dry out excess moisture.
- Aerate compacted soil using a core aerator or garden fork to improve oxygen, water, and nutrient absorption.
Learn more about why and when you should aerate your lawn.
3. Treat Snow Mold
If you notice patches of snow mold:
- Rake affected areas gently to improve airflow and dry out the fungus.
- Avoid excessive watering in early spring to prevent further fungal growth.
- Apply a fungicide if the problem is severe.
Read expert tips on common lawn diseases and how to prevent them.
4. Repair Salt-Damaged Grass
Salt from roads and sidewalks can cause grass to dry out and turn brown. To fix this:
- Flush the area with plenty of water to dilute salt buildup.
- Apply gypsum to help neutralize salt levels in the soil.
- Reseed areas that don’t recover naturally.
Check out eco-friendly alternatives to traditional de-icing salts.
5. Overseed and Fertilize Bare Patches
Bare spots need reseeding to regrow healthy grass.
- Use a cool-season grass seed blend for best results in your region.
- Apply a starter fertilizer to promote fast root growth.
- Keep the area moist but not waterlogged until new grass establishes.
6. Prepare for a Healthy Spring Lawn
- Mow high to encourage deep roots.
- Fertilize appropriately in late March or early April.
- Stay off wet lawns to prevent further soil compaction.
By following these steps, your lawn will bounce back from winter damage and be ready for a lush, green season.
