Winter Care: Frost and Traffic on Grass

As months of turfgrass dormancy continue through the winter, it is likely that even in locations with milder winters, frost or even light ice or snow will make an appearance. When grass is covered in frost during dormancy, even foot traffic can cause the ice to damage the cell walls, and the turf cannot recover until the active growing season.

If there’s a chance you’ll find your lawn under a layer of frozen precipitation, it’s important to protect your turfgrass from further damage.

How To Protect Grass From A Frosty Winter

  1. Prevent or minimize foot traffic on frost-covered turfgrass
  2. Longer mowing height (for final mowing of the growing season)
  3. Remove excessive thatch before cold weather
  4. Watering the grass the night before can help keep the grass warm and prevent frost damage
  5. Don’t mow right before the expected frost

Blue-Tag Varietal Specific Winter Care Instructions

Below is a breakdown of our top blue-tag certified turfgrass varietals and best practices for winter care (December through February).

Winter Care For Zeon Zoysia Grass and Prizm Zoysia Grass

Mowing

It is not necessary to mow, but do remove rocks, sticks, and leaves.

Fertilization

Do not fertilize zoysiagrass at this time. Soil should be tested every three years; contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension center or the NC Department of Agriculture for details. Apply lime as suggested to modify soil pH.

Watering

Water occasionally if a drought occurs.

Weed Control

Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary to control winter annual weeds like chickweed.

Winter Care For TifTuf Bermudagrass

TifTuf has a very high tolerance to high temperatures and drought, as well as a high tolerance to frost. 

Mowing

Mow to remove leaves and other debris. Leaf removal will enable earlier and more consistent spring green-up.

Fertilization

DO NOT fertilize at this time. Submit soil samples for analysis every two to three years to determine nutrient requirements. (Contact your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension center for details.) Depending on the results of your soil test, you may need to apply lime or sulfur to adjust soil pH.

Watering

Follow guidelines for September through November.

Weed Control

Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary to control winter annual weeds like chickweed and henbit. Atrazine or simazine can be applied in November or December to control annual bluegrass and winter annual broadleaf weeds.

Winter Care For Select Tall Fescue

Mowing

Mow to 3 inches and remove leaves and other debris.

Fertilization

Fertilize with 1 pound of N per 1,000 square feet in February.

Watering

Follow guidelines for March through May.

Weed Control

Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary for control of annual winter weeds like chickweed and henbit.