It’s common knowledge that grass requires a lot of water during the hot growing season of summer. To keep it healthy, you may need to water it frequently. But what about the winter? Do you water grass in the cold?
Winter lawn care can be a bit tricky. It’s important to know what steps to take to help your lawn stay healthy through this season.
Use the following tips for winter lawn care to protect your grass and enjoy a vibrant lawn in the spring.
Winter hydration
During winter, the grass may become dormant; however, it still needs to stay hydrated during this colder season. If the grass and its roots dry out, it could die. It may also become weak, so when warm weather arrives, it is not healthy enough to survive.
Because of this, it is important to water your lawn as part of your winter lawn care program. If your lawn doesn’t see a lot of rain in the winter, consider watering it periodically to keep your lawn hydrated throughout the season.
Antifreeze
Did you know that watering your grass can protect it from frost damage? Grass can be damaged by frigid temperatures and harsh winter conditions; however, water can strengthen the grass, so it does not suffer damage when the cold weather arrives. The water helps release heat slowly to keep the plant healthy.
To protect your grass from freezing temperatures, water your lawn one or two days before the weather is expected to turn cold. This will allow the water time to soak deep into the root systems and provide the nourishment your grass needs to fight the cold.
Time is of the essence
The time of day that you water is nearly as important as whether or not you water the grass at all. For proper winter lawn care, always water the grass in the morning. This allows the roots to absorb the moisture and the extra water to evaporate off the blades.
If you water at night, the temperature drops before the water can soak in or evaporate. This can lead to fungus development and a lack of moisture at the roots, both of which can cause your grass to die.
How much is too much?
While you want to ensure your lawn stays hydrated in the winter, it is possible to give your blades too much moisture. Keep in mind that grass doesn’t need as much water during these cold months as it does in the summer. Winter lawn care should involve providing about 1/2 inch of water per week for your lawn. If it rains, you can water it less. If it is still growing quickly through the winter, it might need more.
More winter lawn care tips
Would you like more insights on healthy winter lawn care? Contact the team at Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. We are your local experts on irrigation, water conservation, sprinkler systems and more. Reach out to us for lawn-winterization tips to keep your grass strong and healthy season after season.