Simply Lawns & Landscapes – Your Year-Round Lawn Care Experts
Winter may seem like the “off-season” for lawn care, but what you do now plays a huge role in how healthy, green, and full your lawn looks in the spring. Even though growth slows down, your grass, soil, and landscape still need attention during the colder months.
Here are our top winter lawn maintenance tips to keep your yard in great shape all season long.
🌱 1. Keep Your Lawn Clean and Clear
Winter debris—leaves, sticks, pine needles, and branches—can block sunlight and trap moisture, creating mold and fungus issues.
What to do:
- Clear leaves regularly
- Remove fallen branches and debris
- Keep high-traffic areas free of clutter
A clean lawn breathes better and is less likely to develop brown patches.
🦶 2. Avoid Excess Foot Traffic
Dormant or semi-dormant grass weakens easily in winter. When the soil is cold or frosty, walking on it can cause long-term damage.
Try to:
- Keep pets and kids off frozen grass
- Use pathways instead of cutting across the yard
- Limit heavy equipment or parking on lawn areas
This prevents soil compaction and protects your root structure.
💧 3. Water During Dry Spells
Even in winter, your lawn still needs occasional water—especially during periods with no rain.
Best practice:
- Water only when temperatures are above 40°F
- Water in the morning to reduce nighttime moisture
- Watch for signs of drought stress (grayish or brittle grass)
Just don’t overwater; winter requires much less than summer.
🍂 4. Continue Light Leaf Removal
Even after fall cleanup, leaves continue falling through early winter.
A thick layer of leaves:
- Blocks sunlight
- Encourages mold
- Smothers the grass
Regular light cleanups prevent these problems.
🧪 5. Apply a Winter Fertilizer (If Not Already Done)
A late-fall or early-winter fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to survive the cold and come back stronger in spring.
Choose a fertilizer with:
- Higher potassium (strengthens roots)
- Moderate nitrogen
- Slow-release formulation
If you’re unsure which product is best for your grass type, our team can help.
❌ 6. Hold Off on Mowing
During winter, grass growth slows dramatically. Mowing too short can stress your lawn and expose roots to cold wind.
We recommend:
- Letting the grass rest
- Only mowing if growth is unusually high
- Keeping blades sharp for clean cuts
🧼 7. Prepare Landscaping Beds
Healthy beds improve curb appeal and support plants during winter.
Tasks to complete:
- Add a fresh layer of mulch for insulation
- Trim dead plants and clean beds
- Remove weeds before they spread
Mulch also protects roots from freezing temperatures.
🌿 8. Schedule a Professional Winter Service
Winter is the perfect time to evaluate your lawn, plan improvements, and prepare for the spring rush.
Simply Lawns & Landscapes offers winter services such as:
- Leaf cleanup
- Mulch installation
- Property cleanups
- Bed maintenance
- Winter fertilizer applications
- Pre-spring preparation
A little attention now prevents expensive fixes later.
❄️ Final Thoughts
Winter lawn care doesn’t require constant work, but a few simple steps can dramatically improve how your yard looks when spring arrives. With the right maintenance, your lawn will stay healthy, disease-free, and ready to grow strong when warmer weather returns.
If you’d like help preparing your yard this winter, Simply Lawns & Landscapes is here to take the work off your hands.
Ready for a greener spring?
Contact us today to schedule winter lawn maintenance or a full property cleanup.