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How to Repair Your Grass After Winter
After a long and harsh winter in Edmonton, it is finally time to celebrate that spring is here, even if there’s still snow on the ground!
As temperatures begin to rise and people spend more time outdoors, you might want to give your grass a little TLC. The lack of sunlight and freezing temperatures can create issues like snow mould and crown freeze, while also attracting little critters. Luckily, we have some suggestions on how to fix these common damages, and how to prepare your lawn for the upcoming growing season!
- Snow Mould Repair
Snow mould is caused by cold-weather fungi, and breeds well in Albertan climates. This type of mould results in circular patches of dead grass, and it can range from a couple of inches to several feet. The grass is either pink, grey, or light brown, and the texture is typically matted and crusty.
As soon as you notice the snow mould, the first thing you’ll need to do is gently rake the affected areas to loosen the matted grass and allow air to circulate. This will help the grass dry, and create room to replenish. With regular fertilization and mowing, the mould should grow out on its own. As the mould is only affecting the grass blade, a high quality lawn fertilizer will help your lawn regrow and then you can cut the damaged areas off the top.
- Crown Freeze Repair
Crown freeze (or crown hydration) occurs in the early spring season, when the soil begins to warm up but temperatures are still volatile. If the turf starts absorbing moisture and is soon hit with freezing temperatures, the moisture ends up freezing on the grass. Ice then causes the plant cells to rupture, therefore killing your grass.
Unfortunately there is not much you can do in terms of prevention, however crown freeze repair requires resodding and reseeding. Resodding is simple, just remove the dead grass and replace it with quality sod, ensuring that its properly hydrated. Reseeding is a little more complicated but you can find detailed information in this previous blog post on how to prepare your lawn for spring.
- Voles Repair
Voles are small rodents with a very active winter lifestyle. They live under shrubs, mulch, wood, and rock piles. They love the snow because it provides the perfect cover to venture from their burrows in search of food, thus creating tunnels and holes in your lawn.
Once the snow melts, you’ll need to take the following actions to fix your lawn. Firstly, rake the debris and excrement from the tunnels and holes to promote healthy growth. Next, fill the pathways with either screened topsoil or tandem topsoil. You may need to fertilize and reseed areas that do not recover, while pruning the trees and shrubs that may have been damaged by the voles.
- Synthetic Grass – To the Rescue!
A great option for areas with extreme weather temperatures is synthetic grass! With polyurethane and polyethylene components, artificial turf is able to withstand harsh conditions that would normally damage real grass. As it does not freeze or become brittle when being in contact with the snow, you wouldn’t have as many issues with snow mould, crown freeze, or voles.
With advanced technologies, synthetic grass looks so natural it could pass as real grass. If you like the look of a perfectly manicured lawn, this is a great option and will keep your yard looking lush and green. It’s also an ideal choice for high traffic areas as it’s extremely durable!
If you have any questions about synthetic grass or landscaping supplies Edmonton, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable team at Rockland!