Keep your lawn healthy through Maryland's winter with expert advice from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County since 1986.
Winter lawn care in Howard County is less about active maintenance and more about smart protection and planning. While your grass is dormant through Maryland's cold months, the decisions you make (or don't make) during winter significantly impact how your lawn looks and performs come spring. After 39 years of caring for lawns throughout Ellicott City and Columbia, we've learned what works—and what causes problems—for Maryland lawns during winter.
Most lawns in Howard County consist primarily of cool-season grasses like tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. These grasses naturally go dormant when soil temperatures drop below 50°F, typically happening in late November or early December in our area. Dormancy is a protective state—your grass isn't dead, just sleeping.
During dormancy, grass blades may turn brown or tan, growth stops completely, and the plant focuses all energy on root survival. This is completely normal and healthy. The key to successful winter lawn care is protecting dormant grass from damage while preparing for spring green-up, which typically begins in late March when soil temperatures rise back above 50°F.
Leaves, branches, and other debris left on your lawn through winter can cause significant damage. Matted leaves block sunlight and air circulation, creating conditions for snow mold and other fungal diseases. If you didn't complete fall cleanup before winter, remove any accumulated debris on mild days when the ground isn't frozen or snow-covered.
This is the single most important winter lawn care rule for Howard County homeowners. When grass blades are frozen, they're brittle and break easily under foot traffic. Walking on frozen grass crushes and kills grass crowns, creating footprint-shaped dead patches that won't recover in spring. On frozen mornings, use walkways and driveways instead of crossing the lawn.
Even when grass isn't frozen, excessive winter foot traffic compacts soil, especially when ground is wet or muddy. Compacted soil restricts oxygen and water movement to grass roots, weakening your lawn. Create and use designated pathways for necessary winter yard access. If kids or dogs regularly cross the same areas, consider temporary walkways or fencing to protect vulnerable spots.
When clearing driveways and walkways, be mindful of where you pile snow. Large snow piles on lawn areas can smother grass and delay spring green-up in those spots. Avoid piling snow with road salt or ice melt chemicals on lawn areas—salt damage kills grass and takes years to remediate. If you must pile snow on the lawn, spread it thin and avoid repeatedly piling in the same spots.
Winter is the perfect time to plan your spring lawn care strategy. Review what worked and what didn't last year. Consider scheduling spring fertilization, aeration, or overseeding services early—the best lawn care companies in Howard County book up quickly once spring arrives. Contact Greenlawn Inc in January or February to secure your preferred timing for spring services.
Dormant grass cannot absorb nutrients, so winter fertilizer applications are wasteful and potentially harmful. Any fertilizer applied in winter will either wash away with snow melt (polluting waterways) or sit on the surface doing nothing. The exception is late-fall "winterizer" fertilizer, which should have been applied in November before dormancy. If you missed that window, wait for spring rather than applying fertilizer to frozen or dormant turf.
Dog urine is highly concentrated in nitrogen and salts, which burns grass even during dormancy. When dogs repeatedly use the same spots all winter, you'll see dead yellow circles in spring. Encourage dogs to use different areas, or train them to use a designated mulched area. You can also water affected spots during winter thaws to dilute the urine and minimize damage. Severe dog urine spots will need reseeding in spring.
Rock salt and many ice melt products are extremely damaging to grass and soil. Salt kills grass roots, damages soil structure, and can take multiple years to leach out. Use salt and ice melt only on hardscapes, keeping applications at least 6-12 inches away from lawn edges. For areas near lawns, consider alternatives like sand or cat litter for traction, or look for calcium chloride products that are less harmful to plants.
Never park cars, trailers, or heavy equipment on your Howard County lawn during winter. The weight causes severe soil compaction that prevents spring recovery. Similarly, don't store firewood, construction materials, or other items on the lawn through winter—they smother grass and create dead patches. If you absolutely must park on the lawn temporarily, place plywood sheets to distribute weight, and move vehicles as soon as possible.
Dormant grass is fragile. Avoid raking, scarifying, or any aggressive disturbance during winter months. While you should remove accumulated leaves and debris, don't use metal rakes that tear into the turf. Light sweeping or using a leaf blower on low setting is acceptable for removing debris, but save any intensive lawn work for spring.
What's Happening: Grass enters full dormancy. First freezes occur. Holiday decorations and increased foot traffic pose risks.
What to Do: Complete any final debris removal. Avoid walking on frozen grass. Be strategic about outdoor holiday lighting paths. If you didn't complete fall cleanup, do it during any mild days before snow arrives.
What's Happening: Peak winter. Coldest temperatures. Snow accumulation. Lawn is fully dormant.
What to Do: Minimize all lawn traffic. Be careful with snow removal and salt application. This is an excellent time to plan spring lawn care and schedule services. Review your lawn's performance from last year and identify areas needing attention in spring.
What's Happening: Late winter. Occasional thaws begin. Lawns still dormant but preparing for spring. Snow mold may become visible as snow melts.
What to Do: Continue avoiding frozen grass. During thaws, you can gently remove any remaining debris. Watch for snow mold (pinkish or grayish circular patches) and note locations—they'll need attention in spring. Finalize spring service scheduling with Greenlawn Inc.
What's Happening: Transition period. Soil begins warming. Grass breaks dormancy when soil temperatures reach 50°F. Early spring growth begins.
What to Do: Schedule spring cleanup to remove winter debris and prepare lawn for growing season. This is the ideal time for early spring fertilization with pre-emergent crabgrass control. Aeration and overseeding should wait until soil is no longer muddy.
Gray or pink circular patches that appear as snow melts are snow mold, a fungal disease that develops under snow cover. It's more common on lawns that went into winter with excessive growth or matted leaves. Light cases recover on their own as grass grows in spring. Severe cases may need fungicide treatment and overseeding.
Voles (small rodents similar to mice) create surface tunnels through lawns under snow cover. You'll see serpentine trails and dead grass pathways when snow melts. Affected areas usually recover with fertilization and mowing, though severe cases may need reseeding. Good fall cleanup reduces winter vole habitat.
Brown dead strips along driveways, walkways, or curbs indicate salt damage from winter de-icing. Salt-damaged areas typically need lime application to neutralize pH and heavy watering to leach salt from soil before grass can recover. Severe cases require removal of salt-contaminated soil and reseeding.
Dead patches in traffic areas or where snow was piled indicate compaction or crown damage. These areas need aeration and often overseeding in spring. Prevention (avoiding winter traffic) is far easier than repair.
Don't wait until spring rush—schedule your lawn care services today
Call to Schedule Spring ServicesWhile your Howard County lawn rests during winter, you can ensure a fantastic spring by planning ahead. Here's what you should consider scheduling now:
The best lawn care companies in Howard County fill their spring schedules quickly—often by late February. By planning and scheduling during winter, you secure preferred timing and avoid the spring rush when everyone suddenly realizes their lawn needs attention.
Homeowners who plan spring lawn care during winter consistently have the best-looking lawns in their Howard County neighborhoods. Here's why:
Walking on frozen grass is the biggest mistake Howard County homeowners make during winter. When grass blades are frozen, they're extremely brittle and break easily, damaging the crown (growing point) of the plant. This creates dead spots that won't recover in spring. You can identify frost on grass by its white, crystalline appearance or stiff texture. Even on non-frozen days, minimize winter traffic because wet or muddy soil compacts easily, restricting oxygen and water movement to roots. Create designated pathways for necessary winter yard access, and keep kids and pets off the lawn during freezing conditions.
No—never apply fertilizer to dormant grass in winter. When grass is dormant (typically December through February in Howard County), it cannot absorb or use nutrients. Winter fertilizer applications waste money and potentially harm the environment as nutrients wash away with snow melt and enter waterways. The proper time for "winterizer" fertilization is late fall (late October through mid-November) before grass goes fully dormant. If you missed the late fall window, wait until early spring (typically March in Howard County) when soil temperatures warm above 50°F and grass begins actively growing again. Our spring fertilization programs include the critical first application with pre-emergent crabgrass control.
Several factors cause brown patches visible after winter in Howard County lawns. Snow mold appears as circular gray or pink patches where fungus developed under snow cover—light cases recover naturally while severe cases need treatment. Vole damage creates serpentine surface tunnels from small rodents traveling under snow—these usually recover with spring fertilization. Salt damage shows as brown strips along driveways and walkways where de-icing products killed grass—these areas need lime and possibly reseeding. Crown damage from foot traffic creates footprint-shaped dead spots that won't recover without reseeding. Dog urine causes yellow-brown circular patches that need dilution or reseeding. The best prevention is following proper winter lawn care practices: no traffic on frozen grass, minimal salt use, keeping debris cleared, and completing fall cleanup to reduce snow mold habitat.
Salt damage is one of the most difficult lawn problems to fix, so prevention is critical. Use rock salt and ice melt products only on hardscapes (driveways, walkways, steps) and keep applications at least 6-12 inches away from lawn edges. Never spread salt on or near grass. For areas adjacent to lawns, consider alternatives like sand, cat litter, or calcium chloride products which are less harmful to plants. If you hire snow removal services, instruct them about your salt concerns. Salt damage appears in spring as brown dead strips that won't green up—the salt must be leached from soil through heavy watering before grass can recover, and severely damaged areas need soil replacement and reseeding. Pet-safe ice melt products are generally safer for lawns than traditional rock salt.
Start planning spring lawn care in January or early February for best results. The most successful Howard County homeowners schedule spring services during winter, securing preferred dates before the spring rush. Early spring fertilization timing is critical—pre-emergent crabgrass control must be applied before soil temperatures consistently reach 55°F (typically late March to early April in our area). Miss this window by even two weeks and you'll battle crabgrass all summer. The best lawn care companies fill their spring schedules by late February, so early planners get their preferred service dates while late callers wait weeks. Winter also gives you time to thoughtfully assess your lawn's needs, arrange your budget, and make informed decisions rather than rushed choices when spring suddenly arrives. Contact Greenlawn Inc in January or February to discuss your lawn's specific needs and schedule services like fertilization, cleanup, and aeration for optimal timing.
Yes—you should definitely remove accumulated leaves during winter if you didn't complete fall cleanup. Matted leaves block sunlight and air circulation, creating perfect conditions for snow mold and other fungal diseases that damage grass. Remove leaves on mild days when the ground isn't frozen or snow-covered. Use a leaf blower on low setting or rake gently to avoid damaging dormant grass crowns. Unlike fertilization or aggressive lawn work, debris removal is one of the few beneficial winter lawn activities. The key is being gentle—dormant grass is fragile, so use light pressure and avoid metal rakes that could tear into the turf. If you have a large accumulation of leaves, consider hiring professional cleanup services to handle removal properly without damaging your lawn.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been caring for lawns throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County since 1986. Our 39 years of experience with Maryland's climate, soil, and grass types means we understand exactly what your lawn needs to thrive through winter and flourish in spring.
As MDA licensed professionals (Pesticide License #23902, Fertilizer Applicator #F0684), we provide comprehensive lawn care programs customized for Howard County conditions. Whether you need a complete program or individual services, we're here to help your lawn reach its full potential.
Beat the spring rush—reserve your preferred dates now
Call to Plan Your Spring Program
Serving Howard County families since 1986
Family Owned · MDA Licensed · Expert Lawn Care
About Greenlawn Inc: Since 1986, Greenlawn Inc has provided expert lawn care and landscaping services to homeowners throughout Howard County, Maryland. Our MDA-licensed team understands the unique challenges of Maryland lawns and provides fertilization, mowing, aeration, and seasonal services that keep Columbia and Ellicott City lawns healthy and beautiful year-round.