Winter might seem like the season when your lawn goes to sleep and in many ways, it does. Growth slows dramatically, and the grass focuses on survival rather than appearance. But the way you care for your lawn during the colder months has a huge impact on how healthy, green and quick to recover it will be in spring.
Here’s how to keep your lawn in great condition all winter long.
Walking on frozen or waterlogged grass can damage the blades and compact the soil, creating problems that take months to correct.
Try to avoid mowing, walking on, or working on the lawn when:
Think of winter lawn care as minimum disturbance.
A layer of wet leaves blocks sunlight and encourages disease.
Clearing leaves every week or two prevents fungal issues, reduces moss growth and keeps the lawn breathing.
Use a light rake or a leaf blower to avoid tugging out grass roots.
Winter is when lawn drainage issues become obvious. Signs include puddles, mud patches, or long-term “squishiness.”
To improve drainage, you can:
Better drainage now means healthier, stronger growth in spring. If you want some more tips, check out how to fix a waterlogged lawn.
Grass grows very slowly in winter, but on mild days you may still see a bit of growth. If you must mow:
Aim to keep the grass 5–7cm tall during winter for protection.
Shade, moisture and low temperatures encourage moss. If moss is already established, you can treat it with a winter-safe moss killer, then rake it out in early spring.
Bare patches can turn muddy, erode, or invite weeds. To protect them in winter, you can cover the area with an organic compost or garden mulch layer to prevent erosion, compaction, weed growth and nutrient loss.
It also helps to create a healthier bed for spring overseeding.
Most lawns should not be fertilised in winter. High-nitrogen feed encourages weak, soft growth that frost will damage.
However, you can use a winter lawn feed (low nitrogen, higher potassium) to strengthen roots and improve disease resistance.
Leaving a few slightly longer areas or undisturbed corners helps protect insects and small creatures. Good for wildlife = good for your garden ecosystem.
Use winter downtime to prepare for the next growing season:
A bit of planning now makes the spring lawn rush much easier.
Even though your lawn isn’t growing much in winter, the small things you do (or avoid!) now will play a huge part in how lush, green and resilient it looks in the months ahead.
In winter, think gentle maintenance, good airflow, solid drainage, and minimal disturbance.
Do these right, and your lawn will bounce back beautifully once spring arrives.
The way you care for your lawn during the colder months has a huge impact on how healthy, green and quick to recover it will be in spring.
The way you care for your lawn during the colder months has a huge impact on how healthy, green and quick to recover it will be in spring.
November is the perfect time to apply mulch before the deep freeze sets in, but after most of your clean-up is done.
November is the perfect time to apply mulch before the deep freeze sets in, but after most of your clean-up is done.
Autumn isn’t just about raking leaves and sipping pumpkin lattes, it’s also the perfect time to prepare your garden for a burst of colour next spring.
Autumn isn’t just about raking leaves and sipping pumpkin lattes, it’s also the perfect time to prepare your garden for a burst of colour next spring.
By mid-August, herb gardens are at their most generous. Basil, parsley, mint and rosemary are overflowing, and the scent of thyme or oregano fills the warm air.
By mid-August, herb gardens are at their most generous. Basil, parsley, mint and rosemary are overflowing, and the scent of thyme or oregano fills the warm air.
