Winter in Northeast Ohio may look beautiful, but beneath that blanket of snow, your lawn could be fighting for survival. Between decorations, salt, pests, and even sledding, there are hidden hazards that can leave your grass patchy, thin, and stressed when spring finally arrives.
Here are the top 5 causes of winter lawn damage to watch out for, plus what you can do about them:
1. Inflatable Decorations
We love a giant Santa or glowing Grinch as much as anyone. But when inflatables sit on your turf for weeks, they block sunlight and trap moisture, leaving the grass smothered.
Quick fix: When the holiday season is over, gently rake those areas with a leaf rake to fluff the grass and let oxygen back into the soil.
2. Sled Riding
Few things beat flying down a hill on a sled, but your lawn takes the brunt of it. Repeated sled traffic compacts the soil and crushes grass crowns, leaving bare, compacted tracks that are slow to recover.
Quick fix: Stick to one sledding lane instead of zigzagging across the yard, and schedule core aeration in spring to relieve compaction.
3. Salt and Ice Melt
Road salt and ice melt products keep us safe on sidewalks and driveways, but they wreak havoc on grass. Salt draws moisture out of turf and soil, creating burned, brown strips along walkways and curbs.
Quick fix: Pile shoveled snow away from lawns when possible and flush salty areas with water in early spring to help wash it out of the soil.
4. Snow Mold and Fungus
Long stretches of snow cover can lead to snow mold, a fungus that shows up as gray or pink matted patches when the snow melts. It weakens turf and creates unsightly spots in the yard.
Quick fix: Mow the grass a little shorter before the first snow and clean up leaves in the fall to prevent trapped moisture. If damage appears in spring, lightly rake and consider an overseed.
5. Moles and Other Pests
While you’re cozy inside, moles may be tunneling underground looking for food. Come spring, you’ll notice raised ridges and soft spots across the lawn where they’ve tunneled. These pests don’t eat the grass directly, but their tunnels damage roots and leave the lawn uneven.
Quick fix: Roll down mole tunnels in spring, repair with seed if needed, and consider professional mole control solutions if activity becomes severe.
The Bottom Line
Your lawn may look quiet in winter, but it’s not immune to damage. From inflatable Santas to sledding kids to tunneling moles, there are plenty of threats to turf health. The good news? With a little care (and some professional help), your lawn can bounce back strong in spring.
Don’t let winter lawn killers ruin your curb appeal.
Grass Master provides complete Northeast Ohio lawn care services, from repairing winter damage to fertilization, aeration, overseeding, and mole control. We’ll help your lawn recover and look its best year-round. Contact us today for a quote.
