Winter Lawn Myths & FAQs 🌱

Myth or Fact: Your lawn needs care during winter.

✅ FACT

Your lawn does need care during winter ❄️🌱

Even though grass is dormant, winter habits play a huge role in how healthy it looks in spring.

Here’s what “winter care” really means:
🚫 Limit foot traffic on frozen grass
🍂 Keep leaves and debris cleared
🧊 Watch for drainage issues and ice buildup

Pro tip: Winter lawn care is all about protection and prevention—small efforts now prevent big problems later.

Myth or Fact: Walking on frozen grass won’t hurt it.

❌ MYTH

Walking on frozen grass can definitely hurt it ❄️🌱

When grass is frozen, the blades become brittle. Foot traffic can snap them and compact the soil, leading to thin or dead spots that often don’t show up until spring.

Pro tip: Avoid walking on frozen lawns when possible. If you must cross it, stick to the same path to reduce damage.

Myth or Fact: Snow protects your grass from damage.

✅FACT — with a catch

Snow can protect your grass. A light, consistent layer of snow acts like insulation, shielding your lawn from harsh winds and extreme temperature swings.

BUT problems happen when snow sits too long or gets compacted:
🧊 Ice layers can suffocate grass
🍂 Debris trapped under snow can cause snow mold
🚶‍♂️ Heavy traffic on snowy lawns leads to damage underneath

Pro tip: Keep paths consistent and clear debris before snowfall for a healthier spring lawn.

Myth or Fact: You should fertilize in winter.

❌ MYTH

You generally should NOT fertilize your lawn in winter ❄️🌱

When grass is dormant, it isn’t actively growing—so fertilizer won’t be absorbed properly. Instead, nutrients can run off, go to waste, or even harm the lawn and surrounding areas.

The exception:
✔️ Late fall “winterize” fertilizer (applied before the ground freezes) can help strengthen roots and set your lawn up for a strong spring.

Pro tip: Winter is the perfect time to plan your fertilizer program—not apply it.

Myth or Fact: Leaf piles left on the lawn is not good.

✅ FACT

Leaving leaves on your lawn does not help it 🍂🌱

When leaves pile up, they block sunlight, trap moisture, and create the perfect environment for mold, disease, and dead spots—especially over winter.

The only exception:
✔️ A light layer of finely shredded leaves can benefit the soil. Thick layers? Not so much.

Pro tip: If you can’t see grass through the leaves, it’s time to remove or mulch them.

Myth or Fact: Lawns die in winter.

❌ MYTH

Lawns don’t die in winter—they go dormant ❄️🌱

Cold temperatures cause grass to pause growth and conserve energy. Your lawn may turn brown, but the roots are still alive, storing energy for spring.

Why winter care still matters:
🚫 Heavy foot traffic can damage dormant grass
🍂 Debris can trap moisture and cause disease
🧊 Ice buildup can stress and weaken turf

Pro tip: Think of winter as your lawn’s rest season. Protect it now, and it’ll bounce back greener when warmer weather returns.

Have another lawn myth or question? Drop it in the comments 👇 – It might be featured in our next Lawn Myths & FAQs post!