Winter weather conditions can be harsh in the New England, making winter lawn diseases far and few between. The disease that you actually have to worry about is that which erupts just before or after the winter months. As your grass shifts from growth to dormancy in fall and back again in spring, it becomes more susceptible to developing fungal diseases.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep your lawn strong throughout the process to avoid awful lawn care issues as the seasons change.

Fertilize well. Strengthening your grass roots before the soil freezes over for the winter will allow your lawn to stay strong enough to defend itself from disease during the cold months. However, be sure not to over-fertilize, as that can have the opposite effect. Nitrogen rich fertilizer is your best option for optimum strength.

Clean often. Get rid of all those pesky leaves so your lawn can soak up as much sunlight as possible before the sun fades away for the season. A lawn buried in leaves is also more likely to grow mold as the dark, moist environment creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to take hold.

Mow more. Keep on mowing until you notice that growth has ceases. This will ensure that your lawn is properly prepped and maintained before it heads off into dormancy. A groomed lawn is also less likely to catch tumbling leaves.

Watch out. Pink snow mold is a common winter disease that is traditionally present in the midwest and northeast regions.Red thread is another common cool-season grass disease to keep an eye out for. Both conditions are characteristic of tan, brown or black spots that expand in size over time.

These tips will work best on cool-season grasses, like those present in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire area. If you’re looking for tips on how to keep your warm-season grass healthy and strong this winter, click here!

Turf Unlimited is a full service lawn care provider, offering a wide variety of lawn care, fertilization, and pest and weed control services to the Massachusetts or New Hampshire area. For more information about our services call 888-649-9919 and schedule your free, in-home estimate today.