Everything seems to be quiet in winter, even our grass. Some of it turns brown, and the rest of it doesn’t seem to grow an inch. But looks can be deceiving. Even brown grass may be growing down beneath the frozen dirt, and you can give it a helping hand.

A Wintertime Nap
It’s easy to forget that turf grass is just another perennial plant, but grass settles in for a sleepy winter like any other plant would. In spring and summer, warm temperatures help plants metabolize water, sunlight and C02 for growth. In the winter, the temperatures drop and there’s less sun around. Metabolism slows to a crawl, and they go into a “conservation” mode.

For cool-season grasses, conservation mode is sometimes semi-active. They stay green, but their blades may not get any longer. Its their roots doing all the growing as they keep up the search for sustenance. Warm-season grasses just can’t stand cold weather. They go dormant, stopping all metabolism to the leaves. The leaves brown and wilt and only the roots creep out, establishing themselves to put out new blades in spring.

Staying Sunny
Your grass doesn’t need much from you while it rests. Regular access to sun and air circulation are all it asks for. Clear up debris like fallen leaves and branches on a regular basis. Don’t park cars or abandon snow gear on the lawn where they’ll shade out the grass beneath. Most importantly, don’t leave towering snow piles on your lawn. Snow piles, like those post-plowing snow walls, cut off sunlight and become breeding grounds for snow mold.

Watch Out for Ice Melt
The ice melting products you use on your driveway and front walk can also be harmful to your turf. Salts are toxic to plants, and even the less corrosive ones can cause damage. Stick with thorough shoveling and sand, kitty litter or gravel to improve traction where you can. If you have to use melting agents, use the “lawn- and pet-friendly” formulations.

Winter is a laid-back time for lawn care. As long as you don’t forget your turf is still alive in there, you can make sure you have a good foundation for lush, spring turf.