Winter Hardening
As the temperature drops and the rain increases, grass naturally stops growing and enters a state of dormancy. If your turf was laid in late summer or autumn, you must take a few critical steps to ensure it survives the freezing months.
The Pre-Winter Checklist
- The Final Cut: Do not leave the grass too long, as it will flop over and encourage fungal disease. Make your final cut in late October or early November, keeping the mower blade on a medium setting (around 40mm). Never scalp it!
- Clear the Leaves: You must rake fallen leaves off your new turf weekly. A blanket of wet leaves blocks sunlight and traps moisture, which will rot the delicate grass beneath it within days.
- Stay Off the Frost: When the lawn is frozen and crunchy, stay off it. Walking on frozen grass shatters the frozen cells inside the grass blades, leaving black footprints of dead grass when it thaws.