Keep your lawn healthy through Maryland's cold months with expert guidance from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County since 1986.
The mistakes Howard County homeowners make in winter — walking on frozen grass, salting near lawn edges, skipping fall cleanup — show up as dead patches come spring. A few simple rules protect everything you've invested in your lawn.
Beat the spring rush — schedule services during winter
Call to Schedule Or request an estimate onlineHoward County lawns — mostly tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass — go dormant when soil drops below 50°F, typically late November. Grass isn't dead; it's sleeping. Growth stops, blades may brown, and the plant conserves energy for root survival until soil warms back above 50°F in late March.
[Image: Frost-covered dormant lawn in a Howard County, MD neighborhood during early winter morning]
Matted leaves block sunlight and air, inviting snow mold. Remove any leftover debris on mild, unfrozen days.
Frozen blades are brittle — footsteps crush grass crowns, leaving dead patches that won't recover. Use walkways instead.
Wet or muddy soil compacts under foot traffic, restricting oxygen to roots. Create designated pathways for winter yard access.
Winter is the best time to schedule spring services. The best lawn care crews in Howard County book up by late February.
Dormant grass can't absorb nutrients. Winter fertilizer washes into waterways with snowmelt. Wait until March.
Concentrated urine burns grass even in dormancy. Rotate areas and water spots during thaws to dilute damage.
Rock salt kills grass roots and damages soil for years. Use only on hardscapes — stay 6–12" from lawn edges.
Vehicles and heavy items cause severe compaction and smother grass. Never park or store anything on the lawn in winter.
First freezes arrive. Finish any remaining debris removal on mild days. Avoid walking on frost-covered lawns — especially with holiday foot traffic.
Coldest temps and heaviest snow. Minimize lawn traffic, be careful with salt. This is the ideal time to review last year and schedule spring services.
Gently remove any remaining debris during thaws. Watch for snow mold (pink or gray patches) as snow melts — note locations for spring treatment. Finalize spring scheduling.
Soil warms above 50°F and grass starts growing. Schedule spring cleanup and early fertilization with pre-emergent crabgrass control now.
Gray or pink circular patches appear as snow melts. Light cases recover naturally; severe cases need fungicide and overseeding in spring.
Serpentine trails of dead grass from rodents tunneling under snow. Usually recovers with spring fertilization — severe cases need reseeding.
Brown dead strips along driveways or curbs. Needs lime to neutralize pH and heavy watering to leach salt before grass can recover.
Dead patches in traffic areas from footsteps on frozen grass. These won't recover without aeration and overseeding — prevention is far easier.
Spring schedules fill by late February. Planning now locks in your preferred dates before the crowd.
Early spring fertilization timing is critical for crabgrass prevention — miss the window by two weeks and you battle weeds all summer.
Winter gives you time to assess your lawn's needs thoughtfully rather than making rushed choices when spring arrives.
Avoid it — especially on frozen mornings. Frozen grass blades are brittle; footsteps crush the crowns (growing points), leaving dead patches that won't recover. On non-frozen days, still minimize traffic because wet soil compacts easily. Use walkways and create designated paths for necessary yard access.
No — dormant grass cannot absorb nutrients. Winter fertilizer washes away with snowmelt and pollutes waterways. If you missed the late-fall "winterizer" window, wait until early March when soil warms above 50°F. Our spring fertilization programs include the critical first application with pre-emergent crabgrass control.
Several culprits: snow mold (gray/pink circles from fungus under snow), vole tunnels (serpentine dead trails), salt damage (brown strips along hardscapes), crown damage (footprint-shaped spots from frozen-grass traffic), and dog urine (yellow-brown circles). Most recover with spring fertilization — severe cases need reseeding.
January or early February is ideal. Pre-emergent crabgrass control must go down before soil consistently hits 55°F (late March–early April) — miss that window and you battle weeds all summer. The best crews fill spring schedules by late February, so early planners get preferred dates. Contact Greenlawn Inc now to lock in your timing.
39 years of caring for Howard County lawns through every Maryland winter. We know exactly what your lawn needs to survive the cold and thrive come spring.
Beat the rush — reserve your preferred dates now
Call to Plan Your Spring ProgramFamily Owned · MDA Licensed · Since 1986
Greenlawn Inc has served Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County since 1986 with expert lawn care programs customized for Maryland's climate — including fertilization, aeration, and seasonal services.