Winter in Hampton Roads can be surprisingly rough for fescue. It rarely gets cold enough to cause actual winter kill but fescue lawns can still experience a range of issues in this season:
1. Color Loss from Temperature Swings (Discoloration)
Frequent temperature swings can cause your lawn to deplete its nutrient reserves as it vacillates between “spring” growth during warm spells & semi-dormancy during cold snaps. High precipitation levels can exacerbate this issue. The result is that fescue lawns can stagnate & lose color (giving a yellow appearance) especially if the lawn is not mowed regularly. In the pictures above the lawn has burned through its nutrient reserves and is showing signs of seasonal discoloration.
2. Oxygen Depletion from Soil Saturation
Frequent heavy rain drives free oxygen from the soil, causing significant winter discoloration.
3. Frost damage – Direct Low Temperature Kill
This can happen when the moisture in the grass freezes and ruptures cells within the plant.
4. Physical Damage
This can occur if a plant has weight put on it while it is frozen. This most commonly happens from walking or mowing frozen turf.
Keep Off Of Frozen Grass
Here’s how you can help your lawn retain its color this winter:
Ensure proper Fall & Winter Fertilization
Our fall fertilizers contain at least 30% (often up to 50%) slow release nitrogen to help spoon feed a lawn during winter. The fertilizers also contain a complete micronutrient package. It is imperative that all fescue customers receive rounds 5, 6 & 7 every year as these three fall fertilizer applications contain the overwhelming majority of the nutrients that we supply each year and help prevent winter damage.
Aerate & Seed Every Fall
Aeration helps replenish soil oxygen levels which prevents anaerobic conditions (from heavy rain) and improves drainage.
Yearly seeding ensures young, actively growing plants are present, helping to mask the appearance of struggling older plants.
Keep Off Of Frozen Grass
Everyone (adults, children, turkeys, dogs, Santa, mowing contractors, mailmen, elves, etc.) should stay off of frozen grass. Once the sun hits grass, it usually defrosts quickly (even on cold days) but until it is soft and pliable, please keep off the grass.
Continue Mowing Regularly
Regular mowing (at least biweekly) will help keep all of the plants in the lawn actively growing and making carbohydrates.
If seasonal discoloration persists despite the steps above give us a call and we’ll evaluate your lawn.
Dreamlawns provides superior lawn care service to Virginia Beach & Chesapeake VA residents.
