How to Fix a Frost-Damaged Southern Lawn

Southern lawns, famous for their lush swathes of warm-season grass species, can be damaged easily by frost. Whether it is one night of unexpected frost or a period of unseasonably cold weather, the recovery strategy is the same. The key is to limit any further stress on the grass plants. This translates into some hard-and-fast do's and don'ts. If followed, the grass will bounce back in time with vigorous growth, rendering the frost damage invisible.

Instructions

- 1
  Refrain from walking on, mowing or in any way traversing grass that has frost on it. This will compound the previous damage and cause greater blade loss. Wait until the sun is out, temperatures have warmed and the frost has melted away before working on or walking on your grass.
- 2
  Water the frost-damaged grass lightly to help replace water lost through transpiration. The water will also help to thaw the soil and support stressed plant roots. Do not over-saturate the soil, though, as this can smother the plant roots and boost the incidence of root rot. Keep the lower thatch and soil evenly moist.
- 3
  Resume your regular pattern of mowing and fertilizing only after the last threat of frost has passed. This will limit the added stress to the grass plants and prevent repeat damage to newly exposed tissue at the cut site. It will also allow the plant roots to direct resources and nutrients to recovery from the initial damage.

The Best Grasses for Controlling Hillside Erosion

The Best Grass for Full Shade in the South

Growing Grass