Winter Lawn Care Tips to Keep Your Grass Healthy Year-Round

When winter arrives, most homeowners think lawn care season is over—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even though your grass grows slower in colder months, it still needs attention to stay healthy. With the right winter lawn care strategy, you can protect your grass, prevent damage, and ensure a greener, thicker lawn when spring returns.

1. Keep Your Lawn Clean and Clear

Fallen leaves, branches, and debris may seem harmless, but they can block sunlight and trap moisture—leading to mold, fungus, or brown patches. Regularly clear your lawn throughout winter to keep air and light reaching the soil.

A clean lawn also discourages pests and diseases that thrive in damp conditions.

2. Adjust Your Watering Schedule

During winter, your lawn doesn’t need as much water as it does in the warmer months. However, completely stopping irrigation can lead to dehydration—especially during dry, windy days.

Water once every two to three weeks if there’s no rainfall, preferably during midday when temperatures are above freezing. This light watering helps maintain moisture levels and keeps roots from drying out.

3. Avoid Foot Traffic on Dormant Grass

Dormant or semi-dormant grass is more fragile in winter. Walking on it too often can compact the soil and break grass blades, making it harder for your lawn to recover in spring.
If possible, redirect foot traffic to sidewalks or paved areas to prevent unnecessary stress on your turf.

4. Continue Weed Control

Many homeowners stop treatments in winter, but cool-season weeds like annual bluegrass, henbit, and chickweed can take over during these months. Applying pre-emergent weed control in late fall or early winter helps prevent these weeds from germinating.

Professional weed control services keep your lawn protected year-round, even when it’s dormant.

5. Apply a Winter Fertilizer

Before your grass goes fully dormant, apply a winter fertilizer rich in potassium. This nutrient strengthens roots and improves resistance to cold and disease.
Unlike spring fertilizers that focus on rapid growth, winter formulas help your lawn build endurance through the colder months.

At Anointed Lawn Care, we use seasonally timed fertilization treatments to ensure your lawn gets the nutrients it needs when it matters most.

6. Manage Pests and Disease Early

Winter doesn’t stop pests like grubs or fungus from lingering underground. Scheduling a preventive pest and disease control service ensures these issues don’t carry over into the next season. Early detection means less damage and lower repair costs later.

7. Plan Ahead for Spring

Winter is the perfect time to schedule core aeration, soil conditioning, or early fertilization for spring. Booking ahead guarantees your treatments are timed perfectly for when temperatures warm up—giving your lawn a head start.

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