Sutherlands Organic Solutions
“We are a lawn care company committed to helping your lawn look its best and our earth help itself.”
Tiny Tunnels, Big Questions: What Happened to My Lawn?
If you’ve ever watched the snow melt away in early spring only to reveal a maze of winding trails across your lawn, you’re not alone. These curious surface tunnels are typically the work of moles and voles—small mammals that stay active all winter long, even beneath a blanket of snow.
While the damage might look alarming at first glance, the good news is that in most cases, your lawn will recover naturally with little to no intervention.
Why Do Moles and Voles Tunnel Under the Snow?
During winter, snow acts like an insulating layer over the ground. Beneath it, temperatures remain relatively stable compared to the freezing air above. This creates a surprisingly hospitable environment for small animals.
Moles and voles take advantage of this by creating tunnel systems in the narrow space between the soil and the snowpack. This zone allows them to:
- Move freely without exposure to predators
- Stay warmer than they would above the snow
- Access food sources like roots, bulbs, and insects
Because the ground is often too hard or frozen to dig deeply, especially during cold snaps, these animals shift their activity closer to the surface—right where you’ll eventually see the evidence.
Why Do the Tunnels Appear in Spring?
All winter long, these tunnels remain hidden under the snow. But as temperatures rise and the snow melts, the protective layer disappears—revealing the network of paths that were formed beneath it.
What looks like sudden damage is actually the result of months of activity that only just became visible.
Do These Tunnels Harm Your Lawn?
In most cases, the answer is: not significantly.
The tunnels may flatten grass and disrupt the surface slightly, but they typically do not kill the lawn outright. Grass roots often remain intact, and once sunlight, air, and warmth return, the grass begins to recover on its own.
What Should You Do About It?
For mild to moderate tunnel damage, a light touch is best, and given a little time, most lawns bounce back naturally.
- Gently rake the area to lift flattened grass
- Walk over raised tunnels to press them back into place
- Resume normal lawn care like watering and mowing as the season progresses
When Might You Need Extra Help?
In more severe cases—where tunneling has been extensive or patches of grass have died—you may need to step in a bit more, but even then, recovery is usually straightforward and doesn’t require major repair.
- Apply grass seed to bare or thinning areas
- Add a light layer of topsoil to improve seed contact
- Keep the area consistently moist to encourage regrowth
The Bottom Line
While mole and vole tunnels can make your lawn look messy after the snow melts, they’re rarely a long-term problem. These animals are simply taking advantage of winter conditions to survive, and the visible aftermath is more cosmetic than catastrophic.
With a little patience—and perhaps some light maintenance—your lawn should return to its healthy, green state before long.
📞 Call SOS or visit our website to learn more about spring lawn care or mole/vole tunnels this spring! SOS 401-764-0740 // www.soslawn.com
Is moss taking over your lawn after winter? You’re not alone!
As the snow melts, lawns stay cool, wet, and often shaded—perfect conditions for moss to thrive. Meanwhile, your grass is just waking up from dormancy, which gives moss the chance to spread, especially in thin or weak areas.
Moss thrives right after winter for a few key reasons—all of which come together perfectly when snow melts:
🌧️ 1. Excess Moisture
Snowmelt saturates the soil, creating consistently damp conditions. Moss loves moisture and doesn’t need much drainage to survive, unlike grass.
🌡️ 2. Cool Temperatures
Early spring temperatures are still cool, which slows down grass growth—but moss prefers these cooler conditions and can grow more actively.
🌤️ 3. Low Sunlight
In early spring, the sun is weaker, and trees may still be bare, but shaded areas (especially north-facing lawns) stay cool and damp—ideal for moss.
🌱 4. Weak or Dormant Grass
Grass is just emerging from winter dormancy and hasn’t started growing vigorously yet. This gives moss an opportunity to spread without much competition.
🧪 5. Soil Conditions
Moss often appears in:
- Compacted soil
- Poor drainage areas
- Low pH (acidic soil)
- Nutrient-deficient lawns
These conditions tend to worsen over winter, making early spring the perfect time for moss to take hold.
💡 Simple Way to Think About It:
Moss is opportunistic—it shows up when grass struggles. Early spring is basically the “perfect storm” where grass is weak, and moss conditions are ideal.
Combat Moss after Winter:
If you’re noticing more moss this time of year, it’s usually a sign your lawn could benefit from better drainage, soil health, or early-season care. Addressing shade will also help prevent moss from returning.
Have questions about your lawn? We’re here to help! 😊
SOS Helpful Hints: Spring Yard Clean Up
Spring is the perfect time to clean up your lawn and prepare it for a season of outdoor enjoyment. A healthy, vibrant lawn doesn’t just happen — It starts with following a simple “Rule of Thumb” and taking the right steps early on.
Clean-Up & Snow Management: Remove any fallen branches and twigs. Clearing debris allows your lawn to breathe and prevents damage to emerging grass.
Spread snow piles evenly throughout your lawn. This important step helps the snow melt faster and more uniformly. It also decreases the risk of developing snow mold by preventing excess moisture from lingering in concentrated areas.
Mower Preparation: Mowing may not be necessary for most homeowners just yet. However, it’s always best to be prepared. Now is the perfect time to bring out your lawn mower and make sure it’s in good working condition for the upcoming summer season.
For most homeowners, it’s recommended to sharpen mower blades at least twice a year. Sharp blades create clean cuts, which help keep your lawn healthy and strong.
Dull mower blades, on the other hand, tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. These jagged edges make it harder for the grass to defend itself against pests and disease, leading to a weaker, less attractive lawn.
“If you didn’t remove the dirty oil or replace the spark plugs during the fall, now’s the time to swap out the used oil for new oil and replace old spark plugs. Also, lightly lubricate the wheel bearing, height adjuster, and any other moving parts according to the manual’s instructions. Make sure to have the lawn mower blades sharpened by a professional, so they’ll cut the grass evenly.” (www.goodhousekeeping.com)
Pruning: This is an excellent time to prune shrubbery and trim back overgrown tree branches. Excess growth can create too much shade, preventing adequate sunlight from reaching your lawn.
Proper pruning improves air circulation and allows more sunlight to penetrate, promoting stronger, healthier grass growth. Keeping trees and shrubs well-maintained not only benefits your lawn but also enhances the overall appearance of your landscape.
Light Raking Tips: Keep in mind that raking over wet grass can tear it from the roots, leaving you with even more bare patches. These bare and thinning areas create the perfect opportunity for weeds and crabgrass to take hold and spread.
For best results, raking should be done when the lawn is dry. However, we understand that sometimes waiting isn’t practical. If you must rake early in the season while the ground is still damp, be sure to rake lightly and gently to avoid damaging the grass.
Taking a careful approach now will help protect your lawn and encourage thicker, healthier growth throughout the season. 🌱
The Lawn Legacy: Where Green Began
The story of the modern lawn begins not in suburban neighborhoods, but centuries ago, among European aristocracy. What we now see as a simple patch of grass once symbolized wealth, power, and control over nature.
🌱Origins in Medieval Europe
The earliest lawns appeared in medieval castles and estates. Short grass areas around castles served practical purposes:
- They allowed guards to clearly see approaching enemies
- Livestock like sheep naturally keep grass trimmed
- Open grassy areas provide space for gatherings and recreation
Over time, these grassy clearings evolved into intentional landscapes.
🌱The Rise of the Aristocratic Lawn
By the 16th–18th centuries, wealthy landowners in places like England and France began cultivating manicured grass fields as a status symbol. Maintaining a lawn required land, labor, and time—luxuries only the elite possessed.
A famous example is the gardens of Palace of Versailles in Versailles, where vast green spaces were carefully designed to showcase royal power and aesthetic control.
🌱Technology Changes Everything
Lawns became accessible to ordinary homeowners after a key invention. In 1830, Edwin Budding invented the first mechanical lawn mower in England. This innovation made it possible to maintain short, neat grass without livestock or large teams of workers.
Soon lawns spread beyond estates to parks, sports fields, and residential yards.
🌱The American Lawn Movement
In the 19th century, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted helped popularize the lawn in the United States. His designs for parks like Central Park in New York City emphasized open grassy spaces as democratic places for relaxation and community.
By the 20th century, lawns became a hallmark of suburban life—especially after World War II when housing developments promoted tidy green yards as part of the “American Dream.”
🌱The Lawn Today
Today, lawns are evolving again. Environmental concerns are pushing homeowners toward:
- Native grasses
- Pollinator-friendly yards
- Low-water landscaping
- “No-mow” or meadow-style lawns
The lawn’s legacy continues—shaped by culture, technology, and changing ideas about how we live with nature. From castle courtyards to suburban backyards, the lawn remains one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world.
SOS March Lawn Care Tips: Snow Joke — It’s Time to Get Your Lawn Spring-Ready!
It’s hard to believe spring is almost here when everything outside still looks like a winter wonderland. But despite the lingering snow and chilly temperatures, warmer days are on the way.
As the snow begins to melt and your lawn slowly emerges from winter dormancy, it’s important to start thinking ahead. March is a key month for laying the groundwork for a lush, healthy lawn.
Below are a few early-spring lawn care tips to help you get started as the winter wonderland begins to fade and your lawn reappears.
While the Snow Is Melting (AKA The Great Thaw Begins!)
❄️Clean Up Winter Debris: As snow melts, remove fallen branches, leaves, and debris from your lawn. Clearing these away allows sunlight and air to reach the grass, helping prevent mold and disease.
❄️Watch for Snow Mold & Winter Damage: Monitor for gray, brownish, or pink patches caused by snow mold. Keeping the lawn free of snow piles and winter debris can help the grass recover more quickly as temperatures warm.
❄️ Avoid Heavy Foot Traffic: Grass will be fragile as it emerges from winter dormancy. Limiting foot traffic now helps prevent soil compaction and damage the emerging grass.
After the Snow Says Its Final Goodbye
🌿Refresh Your Lawn: Light cleaning helps remove lingering debris and spreading snow piles evenly on your lawn reduces the risk of snow mold and improves air circulation, allowing sunlight to reach new growth.
🌿Address Bare or Damaged Areas: If winter is left behind thin or bare spots, early spring is a good time to plan repairs. Proper preparation now helps grass fill in more evenly as the season progresses.
🌿Watch Soil Conditions: Avoid working on the lawn when the soil is overly wet. Walking or mowing on soggy ground can cause compaction and damage young grass roots.
🌿 Plan Early for Spring Services: Spring is our busiest time of year. Scheduling services early ensure your lawn receives timely treatments, such as fertilization and crabgrass prevention, when they matter most.
🌿 Start Thinking About Weeds: Many weeds begin growing before you see them. Early spring pre-emergent treatments are among the most effective ways to prevent weeds from taking over your lawn.
🌿 Crabgrass & Weed Prevention Timing: Early Spring is the ideal time to apply crabgrass prevention before crabgrass germinates. Please don’t delay service this spring; getting ahead of crabgrass early can save on frustration later in the season.
Spring will sneak up on us before we can even put the snow shovel away! 🌷🌞A little attention in early spring goes a long way toward a healthier lawn all season long. If you have questions about your lawn or would like to review your spring services, we’re happy to help.
Thank you for trusting us with your lawn care needs. We look forward to another great season ahead!
Sutherlands Organic Solutions 