Cooler temperatures, dormant grass, and the occasional snow can leave many homeowners puzzled—especially when brown patches appear or you're struggling to decipher between common sense and common misconceptions when your neighbor rambles on about his own lawn care challenges.
Whether it’s your first home or your first winter with a lawn, understanding how to keep your grass healthy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From maintaining the right grass length to tackling watering concerns, your grass is stronger than you think during harsh winter conditions.
To learn more, we connected with Matthew Koch, Ph.D., Director of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Seed at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
MISCONCEPTION: You Should Keep Your Grass Long All Winter
The truth is, mowing your lawn one last time in the fall helps more than you realize—but too short isn't good, either. "If grass length is left too long during snowy winter months, it can trap moisture and become matted, creating the perfect environment for fungal diseases like pink snow mold to thrive," shares Koch.
He adds, "On the other hand, cutting it too short can leave your lawn vulnerable to cold weather stress, damaging the roots or grass blades. The sweet spot for grass length in the winter is about 2 to 2.5 inches—this length helps protect the grass while minimizing the risk of disease. Be sure to mow your lawn to this height just before the first frost of the season to keep it healthy.”
MISCONCEPTION: Grass Doesn't Need to Be Watered During Winter
It varies based on where you live. “Grass roots systems remain alive in the winter, but watering needs depend on snow cover," notes Koch. "If there are extended dry periods or drought with little to no snowfall, light watering may be necessary to prevent the roots from completely drying out and impacting spring growth. In the winter, less water than usual is required due to lower temperatures, reduced evaporation, and the fact that grass is in its dormant stage. You should always check your soil moisture levels before watering."
Snowy yard? Eventually it'll melt, and that's a good thing. "If there is snow on the ground, you generally do not need to water your grass, as the melting snow will naturally provide enough moisture for the dormant grass.”
MISCONCEPTION: Heavy Snow Harms Your Lawn
Your green lawn is more resilient than you realize. "Snow acts as nature’s insulating blanket for your lawn," shares Koch. "The air pockets within the snow create a barrier that helps retain heat in the soil, protecting grass roots from freezing temperatures. Additionally, as the snow melts, it provides a slow release of much-needed moisture to dormant grass. Snow cover also shields the lawn from harsh, drying winter conditions, helping to preserve soil moisture and support grass health through the colder months.”
MISCONCEPTION: Grass Dies Over the Winter Months
Well, wouldn't that be the worst! Again, it's super resilient. "Grass goes dormant during cold temperatures as a natural survival strategy," agrees Koch. "This process helps conserve resources and protect the lawn from cold weather stress. Dormancy typically occurs when temperatures drop below 45–55°F for cool-season grasses like ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass, or when water and sunlight are limited. For warm season grasses, dormancy occurs when temperatures drop and remain below 60 degrees. During this time, it might look like you have dead grass—brown, thin, or dry—but it’s simply conserving moisture and energy to withstand the harsh conditions."
When warm weather rolls around again and the brown grass starts to rejuvenate, it doesn't hurt to give your lawn a good feeding. Koch recommends a multipurpose product (like Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action or Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action) to keep your lawn healthy and provide important nutrients following the colder temperatures.
Can I use de-icing products on my lawn in winter?
De-icing products, such as salt, are often used to prevent ice buildup on driveways and sidewalks, but the runoff can harm a healthy lawn. Salt-based de-icers can cause "salt burn," a condition that dries out grass and damages roots, leading to bare or brown spots in the spring.
Consider using lawn-safe de-icing alternatives like sand, kitty litter, or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) instead. If salt is unavoidable, try to minimize its spread onto grassy areas and rinse affected zones with water once temperatures rise to dilute the salt and reduce damage.
