Regional Lawn Care: Seasonal Winter Tips for Every Climate

Winter doesn’t give your lawn a free pass, even if it’s snoozing under snow or soaking up sunshine down south. Every region has its own challenges this time of year, and knowing your local climate, soil and grass type makes all the difference.

When you give your lawn what it needs now, you’ll set it up for lush, green growth come spring. Let’s look at how to care for your yard through winter, no matter where you live. 

(Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter

If you live in a northern or Midwestern state, your lawn needs extra prep before the frost hits. Here’s how to winterize your yard like a pro:

• Fertilize in late fall to strengthen roots and promote early spring green-up.
• Mow one last time before the ground freezes, lowering your blade slightly to prevent snow mold.
• Clear fallen leaves or mulch them to prevent smothering your grass.
• Trim trees and shrubs to protect them from ice damage and harsh winds.
• Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage and oxygen flow before the first frost.

Cold-season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Fescue respond best to fall preparation. They thrive in cooler temperatures and store nutrients during dormancy, allowing them to bounce back faster once the snow melts.

The Benefits of Fall Fertilization

Late fall fertilization gives cool-season grasses a nutrient boost before dormancy. This builds roots, enhances color retention and promotes vigorous spring growth. Using a slow-release fertilizer with nitrogen can also reduce patchiness and help your turf recover from summer stress.

Preventing Snow Mold and Lawn Diseases

As snow melts, you may notice circular patches of matted or discolored grass. This is snow mold, a common winter fungus.

• Gray snow mold affects the blades and leaves grayish-white patches.
• Pink snow mold has a whitish-pink appearance and can damage the crown.

To reduce the risk of snow mold:

• Avoid heavy thatch buildup.
• Keep the grass short for the final mow.
• Rake out matted areas in early spring.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs from Cold Weather

Winter can stress trees and shrubs as much as turf. Protect your landscape by:

• Applying a slow-release fertilizer in late fall.
• Pruning dead or damaged branches before snowfall.
• Wrapping vulnerable trees in burlap to shield against freezing winds.
• Mulching around the base to help insulate roots.

Pro Tip: TruGreen offers seasonal tree and shrub care services to help protect your landscape year-round. 

(Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi)

Managing Cold Fronts and Lawn Damage

If you live in a region that usually stays mild but occasionally freezes, be prepared for temperature swings with these seasonal tips:

• Cover sensitive plants and shrubs when a cold front moves in.
• Water before a freeze to help protect roots.
• Avoid heavy foot traffic on frozen grass to prevent breakage.

Keep an eye on local forecasts. A quick dip below freezing can cause temporary browning, but most turf rebounds once temperatures stabilize.

Winter Shrub Protection Strategies

Shrubs are often the first to show signs of winter injury. To prevent damage:

• Apply mulch around the base to insulate roots.
• Wrap evergreen shrubs with burlap in cold snaps.
• Prune after frost to avoid exposing tender new growth.
• Schedule a TruGreen shrub care visit for fertilization, insect and disease control.

Did you know? Shrubs can experience dehydration in winter because frozen soil limits water absorption. Mulching and watering before freezes can help prevent this. 

In warmer climates, lawn care doesn’t stop when winter arrives. Mild winters mean your grass stays semi-active, so keeping a consistent routine is key:

• Continue mowing as needed, keeping blades sharp.
• Water your lawn during dry spells but reduce frequency in cooler weeks.
• Remove fallen leaves or debris to improve airflow and sunlight exposure.
• Control winter weeds that thrive in dormant turf.

Soil testing can be especially helpful in these regions, since sandy or dry soils lose nutrients faster than loamy northern soils. While TruGreen doesn’t offer soil testing, our Soil Enhancer Treatment makes nutrients more available to grass plants and helps their roots stay strong through winter.

Why Warm-Season Grasses Slow Growth in Winter

Grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine naturally slow their growth during cooler months to conserve energy and reduce the need for frequent mowing. Don’t worry, it’s normal! Growth will pick up again once temperatures rise in spring.

Winter Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips

Winter is the perfect time to get your mower ready for next season:

• Change the oil and check the drive belt.
• Sharpen or replace blades.
• Clean debris from under the deck to prevent rust.
• Empty the fuel tank or add stabilizer before long storage.
• Store your mower indoors to protect it from moisture and dust. 

How to Control Winter Broadleaf Weeds

Even in sunny Florida, lawns face winter challenges, mainly weeds. Watch for broadleaf weeds between treatments.

• Spot-treat with post-emergent herbicides if needed.
• Contact your TruGreen specialist for custom weed control options.
• Keep up with mowing to reduce seed spread.

Florida’s high humidity and mild winters make weed control a year-round job. Regular monitoring helps prevent infestations before spring growth begins.

Preparing Your Lawn Equipment for Spring

Florida lawns rarely go fully dormant, but the cooler months are still ideal for tune-ups:

• Check your mower’s oil, drive belt and blades.
• Clean filters and spark plugs.
• Ensure blades are sharpened before spring mowing begins.
• Inspect irrigation systems for leaks or clogs.
• Run a quick test of your sprinklers to make sure coverage is even.

Pro Tip: Florida grasses typically need less water in winter, so adjust your irrigation schedule to prevent overwatering. You can also take this time to calibrate your mower height. St. Augustine and Bahia grasses, for example, thrive best when kept around 2.5-3.75 inches tall. A properly set mower height helps protect roots and reduces stress as temperatures rise. 

Every region has its challenges: icy northern winters, dry southern heat and everything in between. TruGreen understands that great lawn care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our specialists combine local insight with trusted, expert treatments to help your grass grow stronger, healthier and more resilient year-round.

With customized plans that include aeration, fertilization, weed control and more, we make it easy to maintain a lawn you’ll love, no matter the season.

Discover the difference professional care can make. Explore TruGreen’s seasonal lawn care plans today.