Winter kill is basically drought damage to lawns in the winter from lack of snow, above or below normal temps, and lack of any moisture.    

• You will see brown patches all over the lawn when the weather breaks in the spring.  

• After a few weeks of watering your lawn does not come back, then your lawn is dead and the only thing that can be done is to reseed.  

• Spring reseeding is very difficult because ground temperatures are not warm enough. When it is warm enough for the seeds to germinate, it is also warm enough for crabgrass seed to germinate.  The days are getting hotter, meaning your lawn will need more water. No pre-emergents can be used at this time because the pre-emergent will prevent the grass seed from germinating.   

• Lack of snow cover and no moisture is the main threat to seeing winter kill.  The snow helps shield the ground from a hard, deep freeze and cold drying winds during winter. While snow has it’s faults, it can be great for your lawn’s overall health during the winter months.  

Winter kill can be prevented in several ways:

• Water your lawn in the fall until it becomes too cold to do so. Often in our area this is through Thanksgiving.
• If we have stretches of 50 degrees in January and February like we typically have, water your lawn with a hose. Do NOT start sprinkler systems!
• Start watering your lawn as soon as the weather is nice. You typically should begin watering regularly in the middle of March.

All of these instructions are obviously weather dependent, specifically when we are experiencing a dry winter with now snow cover.