Winter may seem like a time when lawn care takes a backseat, but maintaining a healthy lawn during Michigan’s cooler months is essential for ensuring it thrives come spring. With proper adjustments to mowing, watering, and fertilization routines, you can keep your lawn in great shape despite the cold weather. At Preferred Lawn Care, we understand the challenges of winter lawn care and are here to guide you through it.
Call Preferred Lawn Care at (231) 638-5368 or message us online to book snow removal services. We look forward to hearing from you!
Understanding Lawn Grass in Cool Weather
Michigan’s winter season lasts from December 21st to March 19th, bringing freezing temperatures, snow, and often dormant lawns. During this time, grass grows more slowly, and the focus shifts from active growth to maintaining its health for the warmer months ahead.
Before diving into winter lawn care techniques, it’s important to know how grass behaves during the cooler months. Michigan lawns typically consist of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescues, which are well-suited for colder climates.
- Cool-Season Grasses: These grasses thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While their growth slows significantly during winter, their roots remain active, storing nutrients and moisture for spring growth.
- Warm-Season Grasses: Less common in Michigan, warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia go dormant in colder weather. They require special care to survive freezing temperatures.
Understanding your grass type helps you tailor your winter care routine to its specific needs. For Michigan lawns with predominantly cool-season grasses, proper maintenance ensures they endure winter stress and come back strong in the spring.
Essential Winter Lawn Care Tips
1. Adjust Your Mowing Practices
Proper mowing during late fall and early winter sets the foundation for a healthy lawn during the colder months.
- Lower the Mowing Height: As winter approaches, lower your mower height gradually to about 2–2.5 inches. A shorter grass height helps prevent matting under snow and reduces the risk of snow mold. However, avoid cutting it too short, as this can weaken the grass.
- Stop Mowing at the Right Time: Once grass growth stops (usually in late November or early December), you can pause mowing until spring.
2. Watering Tips for Winter
While snow and rain typically provide sufficient moisture, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Watch for Drought: If there’s an extended dry spell without snowfall, watering your lawn lightly on warmer days may be necessary to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid Overwatering: Too much water can cause frozen soil, which harms grass roots. Water sparingly and only when the weather is above freezing.
3. Fertilization Adjustments for January
Winter is not the time for heavy fertilization, but there are still ways to provide nutrients for your lawn:
- Apply a Winterizing Fertilizer: If you didn’t apply a winterizer in late fall, consider doing so early in the winter season (before the ground freezes). These fertilizers are high in potassium, which strengthens grass roots and helps them endure cold weather.
- Skip Nitrogen: Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers in January, as this promotes growth during dormancy, which can weaken your lawn.
4. Keep the Lawn Clear
Debris like fallen leaves, branches, and other yard waste can suffocate your lawn by blocking sunlight and trapping moisture, creating an ideal environment for mold, mildew, and pests.
- Remove Debris: Regularly clear fallen leaves, sticks, and other debris to prevent suffocating the grass and fostering mold growth.
- Minimize Traffic: Avoid walking on frozen grass as much as possible. Grass blades are fragile when frozen and can break, leading to damage.
- Manage Snow Accumulation: While snow itself is not harmful, heavy piles can lead to snow mold. If you’re shoveling, avoid piling excess snow onto the grass.
Plan Ahead for Spring
Winter is also an ideal time to plan ahead for spring lawn care. Once the snow melts and temperatures rise, your lawn will need aeration, dethatching, and fertilization to recover fully. By preparing early and addressing any winter damage promptly, you can set the stage for a lush, green lawn in the warmer months. The work you do during the winter—such as keeping the lawn clear, managing snow and ice, and protecting the grass from compaction—will make your spring lawn care efforts much more effective.
Snow Plowing Service in Muskegon, MI
Caring for your lawn during Michigan’s winter months doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding how grass behaves in cooler weather and following these winter lawn care tips, you can keep your lawn healthy and strong despite the snow and freezing temperatures.
Preferred Lawn Care and Snow Plowing offers a full range of commercial and residential snow removal services in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Whitehall, and the surrounding areas. We have the solutions for our customer’s needs to ensure alleys, driveways, streets, and sidewalks are safe, passable, clear, and accessible.
Call us today at (231) 638-5368 or connect with our Snow Plow Team online to learn more about our services and take the first step toward a beautiful, healthy lawn. Let us handle the hard work while you enjoy the results!