Buzz
Whether your lawn features classic green grass or newer alternatives like bee-friendly lawns, clover lawns, or tapestry lawns, you likely want it to thrive come spring. Additionally, you probably prefer not to spend much effort on upkeep during the colder months.
Fortunately, achieving this requires minimal effort—simply avoid causing harm. Here are some tips to ensure your lawn stays healthy.
Choose an alternative spot for piling shoveled snow
While shoveling your sidewalk or driveway, it might seem easy to toss snow onto your lawn, but it’s best to avoid this—particularly if you’ve applied deicer to the pavement. (More on that later.) The salt in deicer and the snow’s weight can harm your lawn.
Shovel with caution
When shoveling near your lawn’s edges, be mindful of your actions. Aim to avoid accidentally removing sections of grass or soil along with the snow.
Avoid sodium chloride-based deicers
Returning to deicers, traditional salt or sodium chloride-based products are commonly used to melt ice and snow on pavements. However, Richard Jauron, an extension horticulturist at Iowa State University, notes that these formulations are particularly harmful to your lawn.
High salt levels in soil prevent lawns and plants from absorbing sufficient water, even with ample snowfall. This leads to a condition known as “physiological drought,” as explained by Jauron.
Rather than using sodium chloride-based deicers, he suggests choosing alternatives like calcium chloride, potassium chloride, or magnesium chloride, which are gentler on lawns and plants.
Minimize foot and vehicle traffic
Compacted soil hinders a lawn’s drainage and nutrient absorption, so it’s advisable to avoid walking, driving, or parking on it whenever possible. While kids can still play in the snow, it’s worth considering when selecting a winter play area.
For areas with heavy snowfall requiring snowblowers or plows, placing thin wooden or metal stakes along the lawn’s perimeter can help snow removal operators identify where the driveway ends.
