Here are some tips for protecting your sod from winter frost.
When a temporary frost sweeps across your lawn, there are potential side effects that could take place. Here in Maryland, we have to worry about fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather. Freezing temperatures can also cause stress to your turf grass if not handled properly. Most damage can be avoided if you are conscious of the best practices. Here are some tips for protecting your sod from winter frost.
Good Watering Practices
Regular watering is essential for ensuring healthy sod throughout the dormant period. During the colder months, you must make sure that the sod does not dry out. Dry, cold winds are what makes your sod most susceptible to dying out or not coming back in the spring. It’s still a good idea to winterize your irrigation system. But using a traditional sprinkler on your lawn or running the hose a few times a month is what will keep your sod moist enough to survive the winter.
Be careful of overwatering — you do not want to encourage fungus, especially in zoysia grass! Water your lawn just enough to keep the ground flexible and to keep the sod, especially new sod, from drying out.
Mow Your Lawn One Last Time
Before the first frost arrives, mowing your lawn one last time is essential for helping it withstand the winter. This final mow should leave the grass at 2 to 2.5 inches for cool-season grasses and slightly shorter for warm-season varieties. Cutting the grass too short exposes the roots, making them vulnerable to cold weather damage and increasing the risk of winterkill. Conversely, leaving the grass too long can result in matting, where the blades bend under the weight of frost and snow, creating compacted patches that trap moisture. This buildup encourages mold and fungal growth, weakening your lawn and hindering healthy regrowth in the spring.
Do Not Walk on Your Grass
Turfgrass is extremely susceptible to physical trauma while frozen. Therefore, avoid walking on your grass while frost is on the ground. Skip the early morning mowing during this season. Mowing can be particularly damaging during frost conditions.
Fertilize Before the First Frost
If you are planning ahead, your last fertilizer application should be well before (3-4 weeks) the first frost of the year. This final late fertilization can help the plant build up the nutrients that it needs to withstand frosts and wake up out of the dormant period healthy and green in the spring.
Get Your Yard Ready for Winter!
Since our inception from a humble 30-acre field to over 4,500 acres of turf grasses, Quantico Creek Sod Farm is now the LARGEST SOD FARM IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. Our service areas cover Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC Delaware, Virginia and Northern North Carolina. Order early and order often to ensure the best service possible. Contact us through our online page. Please find us at 27616 Little Lane, Salisbury, Maryland 21801. Our phone number is 410-726-6103, and our fax number is 410-742-6550. Speak to Jason Anderson for Turf Grass Sales. Reach him by email at jason@quanticocreeksod.com. Finally, follow us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and our blog.