In Ottawa, you know how frosty things can get in the winter. As a result, your lawn can take a pretty big hit if you haven’t taken steps to protect your lawn from the winter weather. If you have planted a garden or put up some trees, then you might want to pay attention. Unless you know how cold Ottawa weather affects your lawn you won’t be able to do anything to protect your precious plants. After all, there are few things worse than helplessly watching as Mother Nature turns on one of her own.
What Happens to Your Lawn When It Gets Cold
Winter weather can take its toll on your property, especially if it is covered with unprotected grass or features weather-sensitive plants. For example, when cold weather conditions last longer than usual it can result in dead spots on your lawn. Warmer season grasses are more susceptible to this, and root damage becomes an issue almost immediately regardless of the grass species.
Frozen and Broken
It might seem like something out of a science fiction story, but grass blades can actually freeze to the point of being brittle. This makes them especially vulnerable to foot traffic. Your grass can break mid-blade and become even more fragile. Winter weather wreaks havoc on your lawn in this way, but you can limit the damage by monitoring the amount of activity on your lawn during freezing cold temperatures. This is especially true in the month of November before there is a thick layer of snow on the ground.
The Ugly Thaw of Spring
You may also notice that there are big, brown, dead spots on your lawn as spring approaches. You can blame the harsh cold weather months. Ironically, the blanket of snow that stayed on your lawn all winter created a heat source – one that may have helped bacteria and lawn diseased thrive. Try to help areas of your lawn thaw out, especially the spots that receive little to no sunlight. A professional landscaper might come in handy at this time so that you don’t have to witness the ugliness of the spring thaw.
Preventative Maintenance
The best way to protect your lawn from the harshness of winter is to learn from your experiences. Only you know what you like, and most likely you are the one who is most familiar with your lawn and its winter-related problems. Contact Hansen if you are unsure how to keep your property protected from the ice and cold. From fall preparation steps right through to spring clean-up, Hansen will take care of it all.