Winter Turf Grass

Cool Season Grass

• Cool season grass thrives in the fall and winter months; however, grass will remain green as long as temperatures do not drop consistently below freezing, according to the University of California. Typically, those living in the northern United States choose to grow this grass in the winter because it will not tolerate hot, humid weather. If you live in regions that experience temperate summers, cool season grass will survive the heat of the summer as long as it's watered, according to Sunset Magazine.

When to Plant

• Plant cool season grass in the early spring or fall. The soil temperatures must be 50 degrees or below for grass seeds to germinate or roots to establish from sod. To check your soil temperature, press a soil thermometer 6 inches deep twice a day. Get an average of both temperatures to get an accurate reading. Oftentimes, gardeners are tempted to plant cool season grass types in the spring. However, you risk losing seedlings when temperatures warm up in the summer.

Mowing Before Winter

• Mowing is especially important for cool season grass types. Gardeners who let their grass grow high before winter raise the risk of new grass contracting a fungal disease called snow mold. Snow mold occurs when grass is high and becomes matted from the snow. Fungal spores germinate and spread under the snow. In the spring, gardeners notice grass discoloration and death from a snow mold disease. Mow your grass to its specific growing height as long as it continues to grow. For example, Kentucky bluegrass should be maintained at 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Fertilizer

• Fertilize your winter turf grass six weeks before it goes dormant, as suggested by the University of Rhode Island. By fertilizing when the grass blades have stopped growing but are still green, you reduce the weed population in the winter because grass roots will continue to grow. Avoid fertilizing right before the grass goes dormant for winter. The nitrogen in fertilizer encouraged a flush of new growth, which can become injured during the winter.