Gardeners have been urged to keep a close eye on their lawns going into the colder months. Your lawn can be damaged by frost during the winter, so it’s important to know how to look after your green space and protect your plants. Experts at garden appliance manufacturer Pelsis Doff have shared some tips about what to do during the chilly period.
Tom Clamp, head of technical, spoke about what to look out for when thinking about your lawn during the winter.
Looking out for signs of first frost
Mr Clamp said: “While it’s tough to predict an exact date, there are several telltale signs to watch for. If nighttime temperatures are forecasted to drop between 0C and 4C, with clear skies and little to no wind, it’s quite likely you’ll wake up to frost.”
When you get your first night of frost can vary across different parts of the UK. The expert said: “Higher-altitude and northern areas tend to experience earlier and more intense frosts, while coastal areas, with their milder climates, tend to see frost later.”
Mr Clamp pointed to several forecasting resources you can use, including the Met Office, BBC Weather and AccuWeather. These can provide frost alerts a few days in advance so you can plan ahead.
Grass can become brittle in cold weather
One concern with the cold weather winter is that the conditions can leave lawns vulnerable, causing grass blades to weaken and snap easily.
Mr Clamp explained how this can work, saying: “Repeated freezing and thawing can damage grass at a cellular level, while cold temperatures limit water absorption by the roots, leading to dehydration. Winter winds can dry out grass further and cold weather also reduces the nutrients available in the soil.”
4 ways to protect your lawn from winter damageThe gardening expert shared his top tips for keeping lawns healthy through the colder months:
Tom emphasises one crucial rule: “Avoid walking on frosty or snow-covered lawns, as this can cause lasting damage to the grass.”
What to do if your lawn is damaged
If your lawn shows signs of brittleness, there is no need to panic. The best time to do repair work is in early autumn or spring, when soil temperatures are above 7C and the risk of frost has passed.
Mr Clamp shared a tip about how to do this, saying: “You can overseed thin or bare patches with lawn seed and with the right feed, younger lawns often recover quickly once the weather warms.”
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