Alright, folks, we’ve officially crossed into winter. The snow is here, the air hurts your face, and your lawn? It’s buried under a thick, icy blanket. Typical Ontario, right?
While you’re cozy inside, sipping a hot Timmies and scrolling through weather complaints on social media, your grass is out there taking a beating. Freezing temps, snow mold, compacted soil—it’s all happening under the surface. And if you think your lawn just “sleeps” through it all, think again!
Winter might slow things down, but the damage doesn’t wait. A few small mistakes now can mean a patchy, weak lawn in spring. You wouldn’t ignore your car all winter and expect it to start smoothly in April, right? Same goes for your grass—it needs a little winter TLC to make sure it bounces back strong.
So, let’s break down what NOT to do this season. Avoid these common winter lawn care mistakes, and your lawn will thank you when the snow melts!
The Cold, Hard Facts (Literally!)
Before we get into the biggest winter lawn care mistakes, let’s talk about just how tough Ontario winters really are:
🌨 Grimsby gets hit with an average of 133 cm (52 inches) of snow every year. That’s a heavy, wet blanket sitting on your grass for months! (Source: Environment Canada)
❄ Temperatures can plummet to -30°C, with freezing rain, ice storms, and brutal wind chills making things even worse. If you think you’re cold, imagine what your lawn is going through!
🍄 **Snow mold is real—**and it’s not pretty. Without the right prep, you could be looking at gross, grey or pink patches of mold-covered grass when the snow melts. Definitely not the fresh green lawn you were hoping for in spring.
In short? Winter is rough, but your lawn doesn’t have to suffer. Let’s go over the biggest mistakes homeowners make—and how to keep your grass healthy through the cold!
Mistake #1: Cutting the Grass Too Short (Or Not Mowing Before Winter)
We get it—once the cold hits, mowing is the last thing on your mind. But how you cut your grass before winter makes all the difference.
🚫 Too short? You’re exposing the soil and roots to harsh winter air. Frost damage, dehydration, and even winter kill can happen.
🚫 Too long? Snow packs it down, trapping moisture underneath. That’s the perfect recipe for snow mold and pests to take over.
✅ The sweet spot? About 2.5 to 3 inches. Just tall enough to protect the roots but short enough to prevent matting.
Final tip: Get that last mow in before the first frost, but don’t scalp the lawn. And whatever you do, don’t mow frozen grass—it damages the blades permanently!
Mistake #2: Skipping Fall Fertilization (“Winterizer” Fertilizer)
Think your lawn doesn’t need food before winter? Big mistake.
Just because it stops growing on the surface doesn’t mean it’s not working underneath. Grass roots keep growing even in cold weather, and they need nutrients to survive.
🚫 No fertilizer? Your lawn enters winter weak and underfed, making it harder to bounce back in spring.
🚫 Wrong fertilizer? A high-nitrogen summer blend will trigger weak top growth instead of strengthening roots.
✅ The right move? Use a fall/winter fertilizer with more potassium and phosphorus. It boosts root strength, improves cold resistance, and preps your lawn for a lush spring comeback.
Timing is key! Apply in early to mid-fall, before the ground freezes, so the roots can absorb the nutrients. A well-fed lawn in fall = less winter damage and faster spring recovery.
Want to avoid a thin, patchy lawn in April? Feed it before winter hits!
Mistake #3: Leaving Leaves and Debris on the Lawn
Raking leaves in the cold isn’t fun. We get it. But leaving them to pile up before winter? Bad news for your grass.
🚫 Trapped moisture = mold and disease. Snow mold thrives under thick, wet leaf piles. You’ll uncover ugly, dead patches in spring.
🚫 Rodents love the cover. Voles and mice tunnel under leaves, chewing through your lawn while you’re sipping hot chocolate.
🚫 Grass suffocates. Your lawn still needs air, even in winter. A thick layer of leaves blocks oxygen and sunlight, leading to weak, patchy growth later.
✅ What to do instead?
- Rake before the first snowfall. Once the snow piles up, it’s too late!
- Use a mulching mower to chop dry leaves into fine pieces—they’ll break down and feed the soil naturally.
- Keep the lawn clear of twigs, toys, or furniture. Anything left out creates dead spots under the snow.
- Spring is tough on neglected lawns. A quick cleanup now saves a ton of hassle later!
👉 Need help with a proper fall cleanup? Call Neighbours Lawn Care today! 🍂❄
Mistake #4: Walking on a Frozen or Snow-Covered Lawn
Ever seen a lawn with weird brown paths in spring? That’s from walking on frozen grass all winter.
🚫 Foot traffic compacts the soil. Roots need oxygen, and pressing down on frozen turf squeezes out vital air pockets.
🚫 Frozen grass blades break. They get brittle in the cold, and once damaged, they won’t grow back properly in spring.
🚫 Ice layers get worse. Repeated foot traffic turns fluffy snow into hard-packed ice, suffocating your lawn.
✅ How to avoid this?
- Stick to walkways! Avoid shortcuts across the lawn.
- Use temporary stepping stones if you need a path.
- Keep driveways and paths shoveled so people aren’t tempted to cut across the grass.
- One bad winter can ruin your lawn for months. Stay off the grass, and it will reward you in spring!
Mistake #5: Overusing De-Icing Salts Near the Lawn
Winter means ice, and ice means salt. But too much salt near your lawn? That’s a problem.
🚫 Salt sucks moisture out of grass. It dehydrates the roots and leaves ugly brown patches come spring.
🚫 It messes with the soil. Too much salt throws off the balance and makes it harder for new grass to grow.
🚫 Runoff spreads the damage. When the snow melts, salty water seeps into your lawn and keeps causing harm.
✅ What to do instead?
- Use lawn-friendly de-icers like calcium magnesium acetate.
- Apply salt only where needed, not right next to the grass.
- In early spring, flush salty areas with water to wash out excess buildup.
- Don’t let winter kill your grass before spring even starts. Be smart with salt! ❄🌱
Mistake #6: Piling Up Snow in One Spot
Shoveling snow? Great. Dumping it all on your lawn? Not so great.
🚫 Heavy snow suffocates grass. Large piles block airflow, leading to rot and mold.
🚫 Uneven melting causes flooding. Big snow piles take longer to melt, leaving soggy, waterlogged spots in spring.
🚫 Compaction damages the roots. If snow gets packed down too much, your lawn struggles to recover.
✅ What’s the right move?
- Spread the snow out instead of creating one big pile.
- Avoid pushing snow onto lawn edges—that’s where damage happens first.
- If possible, break up large piles in late winter to help even melting.
- Snow is great for insulation—just don’t let it smother your lawn.
👉 Want a lawn that bounces back strong in spring? Neighbours Lawn Care can help! Call us today! ❄🌿
Mistake #7: Ignoring Winter Lawn Pests
Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Pests don’t take the winter off.
🚫 Voles love the snow. These little rodents tunnel under the surface, chewing grass roots and leaving ugly trails.
🚫 Grubs hide underground. Even in winter, they keep munching on your lawn’s root system.
🚫 Snow mold invites trouble. This fungal disease creates the perfect conditions for pests to thrive in spring.
✅ How to stop winter pests?
- Rake up leaves and debris before the snow falls.
- Keep grass at the right height to avoid thick thatch where pests hide.
- If you’ve had vole problems before, use repellents or protective mesh around high-risk areas.
- Pests don’t hibernate—they destroy. Protect your lawn now, so it’s not full of surprises in spring. 🐭❄
Mistake #8: Neglecting Bare Spots or Weak Grass Before Winter
Think those small patches of dead grass can wait until spring? Think again.
🚫 Bare spots get worse over winter. Snow and ice widen the damage, making it harder to fix later.
🚫 Weeds take over first. As soon as the snow melts, dandelions and crabgrass rush in.
🚫 Weak grass won’t survive. If your lawn is already struggling in fall, winter can finish it off.
✅ What to do instead?
- Overseed in late fall so new grass is ready to sprout in spring.
- Aerate compacted soil to help roots grow deep before winter.
- Apply a light layer of compost to strengthen weak areas.
- A little prep now means a greener, healthier lawn later. Don’t give weeds the upper hand!
Mistake #9: Failing to Winterize Lawn Equipment & Irrigation (Commercial Properties)
Winter isn’t just tough on your lawn—it’s rough on your equipment too. Leaving your tools and irrigation system unprotected? Bad idea.
🚫 Frozen irrigation lines = expensive repairs. Water expands when it freezes, cracking pipes and sprinkler heads.
🚫 Mowers left outside won’t start in spring. Cold weather drains batteries, rusts metal, and clogs fuel lines.
🚫 Spreader and trimmer parts wear down. Salt, moisture, and dirt can ruin expensive tools if not stored properly.
✅ How to winterize your lawn gear?
- Drain and shut off irrigation systems before the first deep freeze.
- Store mowers, trimmers, and spreaders in a dry place (garage, shed, or covered storage).
- Clean and oil metal parts to prevent rust buildup.
- A little prep now saves big repair costs later. Your equipment works hard—take care of it so it lasts!
Best Practices for Preventing Winter Lawn Damage
Winter can be brutal, but a little effort now makes spring so much easier. Here’s how to set your lawn up for success:
✅ Mow at the right height – About 2.5 to 3 inches is perfect before winter.
✅ Clear leaves and debris – No piles, no suffocation, no mold!
✅ Apply a winter fertilizer – Strengthen roots now for a faster green-up in spring.
✅ Use safe de-icers – Skip the rock salt and go for pet- and lawn-friendly options.
✅ Spread out snow piles – Avoid heavy buildup in one spot.
✅ Minimize foot traffic – Frozen grass is fragile. Stick to pathways.
✅ Check for pests – Voles and grubs don’t take a break, so don’t give them a chance!
A healthy lawn in spring starts with smart choices now. Avoid the common mistakes, follow these best practices, and your grass will thank you when the snow melts.
👉 Want a worry-free lawn this winter? Let Neighbours Lawn Care handle it—call us today! 🚜
Winter Lawn Care in Ontario : Insights
Winter lawn care isn’t just about survival—it’s about long-term lawn health. And in Canada, where snowfall averages over 133 cm (52 inches) a year, winter prep is crucial.
📊 Studies show that lawns properly fertilized in fall recover 50% faster in spring compared to neglected ones. A little effort now = less repair work later.
🌱 Late-fall aeration improves soil oxygen levels, reducing compaction and promoting deeper root growth. Healthy roots mean stronger grass in spring.
🏡 Homeowners who rake leaves and remove debris see fewer winter lawn diseases. Snow mold thrives in wet, compacted areas—so a clean lawn means a healthier comeback.
💰 Skipping winter prep can cost you. Re-seeding, weed removal, and sod replacement add up fast. A small investment in fall saves hundreds in spring repairs.
Smart lawn care isn’t just about making it through winter—it’s about coming out greener and stronger. ❄🌱
Final Thought: A Green Spring Starts in Winter
Winter might feel like the off-season for lawn care. But if you ignore winter prep, and come spring, your lawn might resemble something straight out of The Last of Us. Dead patches, weak roots, and the perfect setup for an invasion (of weeds).
Think of your grass like an athlete—let’s say, a hockey player. If it enters winter strong, well-fed, and protected, it’ll hit the ice (ahem, soil) in spring ready to dominate. But if it goes neglected? It’s gonna flop harder than the Leafs in the playoffs. By mowing at the right height, fertilizing properly, clearing debris, limiting foot traffic, and using safe de-icers, you’re protecting your lawn’s health. Preventing snow mold, compaction, and pest damage now means less hassle later.
And if you’ve got a commercial property? Winterizing your irrigation and equipment is the difference between an easy spring transition or a costly, frozen mess.
Winter lawn care doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does need attention. Your lawn is an investment, and skipping winter prep is like skipping leg day—it will haunt you later.
Want a lawn that bounces back like a Marvel superhero? Let Neighbours Lawn Care handle the winter prep for you. Contact us today!