Lawn Care After Winter: 4 Steps to Revive Your Grass

When spring arrives, your lawn is ready to wake up from its winter slumber. After months of snow, ice and salt, your grass may look patchy or dull, but the good news is it can recover. With the right lawn care after winter, you can help your lawn grow stronger, greener and healthier this season.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key steps to revive your grass, tackle common winter damage and give your yard a fresh start. 

Winter can take a real toll on your lawn. Cold temperatures, snow, ice and salt from roads can compact soil, damage grass blades and leave behind dead debris. Without proper care in early spring, your grass can struggle to grow evenly, leaving patchy, thin areas that are more susceptible to weeds and disease.

Taking a few steps now sets the stage for a healthy, resilient lawn all season. By addressing soil, debris and early signs of damage, you’re giving your grass the nutrients, water and air it needs to recover faster. TruGreen specialists use trusted, expert treatments tailored to your grass type and regional climate, helping lawns bounce back quickly while preventing long-term issues. 

1. Remove Debris and Thatch

Once the snow melts, it’s time to give your lawn a little spring cleaning. Rake away leaves, sticks and any leftover debris that’s been sitting on your grass. Getting rid of this layer helps sunlight and air reach the soil so your lawn can green up faster.

Next, check for thatch, the stubborn layer of dead grass stems, roots and organic matter that builds up between the soil and blades. Too much thatch can block nutrients from reaching the roots. If it’s thicker than half an inch, a simple rake can help, or you might consider core aeration. Aeration loosens compacted soil, improves water absorption and encourages deep root growth. Yearly core aeration also helps to break down the thatch layer.  TruGreen experts recommend aerating high-traffic areas annually, such as near walkways or patios, where soil tends to compact the most.

You can also use this time to scout for problem spots like thin patches, shaded areas or spots with poor drainage. Knowing where these are now helps you plan additional care, like overseeding or aeration, later in the season.

2. Watering and Soil Care for a Stronger Lawn

After a long winter, your soil may be dry or compacted, but watering correctly is the key to success. Aim for deep watering once or twice a week (when it hasn’t rained). This is better than light daily watering, and encourages roots to grow downward, making your grass more resilient to summer heat and drought.

Winter can also affect your soil’s chemistry, especially if salt or snow melt has built up. Testing your soil in early spring helps you see what it needs to recover. To keep soil balanced and thriving, try TruGreen’s Soil Enhancer Treatment to improve nutrient availability, support stronger roots and help your grass grow thicker and greener.

Applying a spring fertilizer with balanced nutrients jump-starts growth, strengthens roots and helps fill in thin spots. TruGreen experts tailor fertilization plans to your grass type and region, because cool-season lawns in the North often need different care than warm-season grass in the South.

3. Fix Salt Damage from Winter Roads

Salt used on roads and sidewalks can leave ugly brown patches along driveways and lawn edges. The first step to fixing this is to water the affected areas heavily, which helps flush excess salt from the soil. For stubborn spots, a soil amendment like gypsum can improve soil structure and restore balance.  However, if salt has built up so much your soil has a white crust, consider removing the top 4-5" of soil with fresh topsoil and reseeding or sodding.

To prevent future damage, consider creating a small barrier along high-splash zones or using less harsh de-icing products like calcium chloride. Early intervention is key: addressing salt damage now prevents bare patches from spreading and allows your grass to recover faster.

TruGreen experts often recommend checking the edges of your lawn first, as these areas are most exposed to salt and often need targeted treatments for the best results.

4. Identify and Treat Snow Mold

As the snow melts in late winter, you might notice circular patches of matted or discolored grass. That’s snow mold — a fungal disease that forms under layers of wet, compacted snow.

There are two main types:

• Gray snow mold creates grayish-white patches and usually affects only the grass blades.
• Pink snow mold looks whitish-pink and can damage the crown and roots, making recovery slower.

To help your lawn bounce back, gently rake affected areas to loosen matted grass and improve airflow. Most lawns recover on their own once temperatures rise, but severe cases might need professional treatment.

You can also help prevent snow mold next winter by avoiding heavy nitrogen fertilization late in the season and keeping leaves and debris off your lawn before the first snowfall. TruGreen specialists can spot early signs of mold and recommend treatments that help your grass recover faster and stay healthier year-round. 

In addition to these four steps, early spring is the perfect time to feed your lawn with nutrients and protect it from weeds. Fertilization strengthens grass and helps it recover quickly, while pre-emergent weed control prevents crabgrass and other summer weeds from taking hold.

TruGreen can create a custom plan that delivers the right nutrients at the right time for your lawn type and local climate. This combination of care and protection ensures your lawn grows thicker, greener and more resilient throughout spring and summer. 

By following these steps and understanding why early spring care is important, you’ll give your lawn the best start to the season. Healthier soil, stronger roots and even growth mean greener grass and a yard that’s ready for outdoor living.

Ready to see results faster? Explore TruGreen’s seasonal lawn care plans for expert help getting your lawn back in shape after winter.