Lawn care in winter: How to keep your lawn healthy through the winter

Winter may be a quieter time in the garden, but that doesn't mean you can neglect your lawn care. A healthy lawn in winter lays the foundation for a beautiful and resilient lawn in spring. That's why preparations for winter are especially important.

In this article, you will find out whether you need to mow your lawn in winter and when your lawn needs fertilizer. We will also explain why you should not walk on your lawn in winter, how to check the grass for diseases and when to start lawn care in spring.

Mowing the lawn before winter: What you should consider

You have carefully looked after your lawn all year round. An important part of this is mowing: as long as your lawn is growing, you have to cut it regularly. Many garden owners ask themselves year after year when the last cut should be made and whether they also have to mow in winter.

Basically, you should mow your lawn as long as it is growing. The transition to hibernation depends largely on the temperature. Your lawn will grow up to a temperature of 9 to 10 °C. If it gets colder, the grass will stop growing and you no longer need to mow.

That's why you shouldn't mow your lawn in winter - unless the temperatures are very mild and the grass is still growing. It's difficult to make general statements about this, because the weather in your garden is what matters.

However, one tip always applies: don't cut your lawn too short before winter. It's best to leave it at a height of 4 to 5 cm. If the grass is cut shorter, the blades of grass are not sufficiently protected against frost and could be damaged in winter. Make sure that the blades on your lawnmower are sharp and clean. We offer replacement blades for a wide range of manufacturers and models.

Lawn care in winter: Don't forget to fertilize

You shouldn't fertilize your lawn in winter. If the temperatures are low, the grass is dormant and doesn't grow. It therefore doesn't need any additional nutrients. If the ground is frozen, fertilizing is not a good idea.

However, it is important that you create the best conditions for the winter. This includes fertilizing your lawn again before winter begins. It has used up a lot of nutrients over the summer. To ensure that it gets through the frost period stronger, you can fertilize it until November.

When fertilizing your lawn, make sure to use a special autumn fertilizer. These contain very little nitrogen, but provide your lawn with enough potassium. This makes your lawn more frost-resistant. You can buy various fertilizers for autumn at RasenExpert.

Lawn in winter: Do not walk on it in frost and snow

Frost and snow are a major burden on your lawn. If the temperature drops below zero in winter, your lawn will freeze. It is particularly sensitive at this time.

That's why you shouldn't walk on it when it's frosty. You could crush the blades of grass or cause them to break. You should also postpone any other heavy strain on your lawn until spring. A snowball fight on the lawn may be fun, but it can cause lasting damage to your lawn.

Check your lawn for diseases & pests

Lawn care in winter also includes checking the grass regularly for diseases and pests. Diseases are much less likely to spread in winter, but it can't hurt to play it safe. The sooner you detect an infestation, the sooner you can stop it.

In winter, the most common cause of snow mold is a fungal disease that occurs towards the end of winter. When the snow melts, gray or brown spots appear on your lawn. If the spread is not stopped, the lawn grass can die.

If your lawn is infected, the only thing that will help is the use of a fungicide. To prevent snow mold from reappearing next year, you should optimize your lawn care in the fall. You can prevent the disease by using an autumn fertilizer in the fall. This strengthens the frost resistance and resistance of your lawn, which can prevent the formation of snow mold.

When does lawn care begin after winter?

If you enjoy gardening, you will have to be patient over the winter. As long as it is freezing and the temperatures are low, there is very little work for you to do. You have probably already asked yourself when you should start taking care of your lawn after the winter.

That depends entirely on how long the winter lasts and when the temperatures rise. This varies from year to year, which is why we cannot give you an exact date. The decisive factor is when the temperature is more than 9 to 10 °C. This usually happens between mid-March and mid-April.

This is when your lawn starts to grow and you can finally devote yourself to gardening again. First, you should start with a general inspection: How did your lawn survive the winter? Have moss and weeds formed? Are there any diseases?

You can then start caring for your lawn by mowing, fertilizing and scarifying it. This means you have plenty to do until next winter.

Conclusion: Preparation for hibernation is the be-all and end-all

Lawn care before winter is crucial so that your lawn can start the new year in good health. In winter itself, you are merely an observer who checks the condition of the lawn and protects it during the frost period. With the products from RasenExpert, you can get your lawn through the winter well and lay the foundation for a beautiful lawn all year round.