How Snow and Ice Impact Your Lawn

For the most part, winters in North Carolina are mild. But that doesn’t mean we’re immune to our fair share of cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice. Not only do these conditions make driving a challenge, but they can also be challenging for your lawn. Nature’s Select Piedmont preaches the importance of lawn and soil care, and if you’ve ever dealt with snow or ice damage in the spring, you know what we’re talking about. Here’s how snow and ice can impact your lawn if you’re not careful.

Snow Mold

A fresh blanket of snow on the ground is soothing and makes the world seem quiet. But underneath, your turf might be struggling. Heavy snow blankets leave your lawn open to a fungus called snow mold. As the snow melts, the mold spores take hold, causing grey or pinkish circles in your lawn during spring. These circles appear the heaviest where snow has been piled up, like underneath that snowman or snow fort in the front yard. It can even appear along the edges of sidewalks and streets where snow is shoveled or plowed and left to melt. 

Ice Rips Grass Apart

Ice doesn’t just make roadways impossible; it also rips your grass blades apart. Ice in the form of freezing rain acts like tiny razor blades, shredding the grass blades and opening them up to diseases. In addition, ice that forms from the melting and refreezing of snow can trap carbon dioxide under the surface, suffocating your lawn. Furthermore, ice can penetrate below the surface, freezing the roots and essential nutrients in the soil that grass needs to survive the winter.

Foot Traffic Damage

Taking the kids outside to play in the snow might seem like a fun Saturday afternoon activity, but this heavy foot traffic can damage your lawn. Of course, this damage is most likely to occur if green grass is still visible while the kids play outside. But if there are a few inches of snow on the ground, you may not have to worry about it. Still, keeping the foot traffic to a minimum during the winter is one of the best ways to mitigate winter snow and ice damage. 

We Help Lawns Spring Back

While snow and ice damage is unfortunate and unsightly, Nature’s Select Piedmont can help your lawn bounce back in the spring. If snow mold is your issue, we have a lawn fungus solution. We can also help bring your trees and shrubs back to life after the winter. Our approach is to treat what’s below the surface, so your lawn stands a greater chance at remaining healthy and resilient all year long. So, if you’re a Greensboro, NC, resident, get your free lawn care estimate at (336) 544-4554.