December–February
Protect the lawn and plan the year
Winter lawn care in Nashville for green tall fescue and dormant Bermuda or zoysia, including frost, leaves, soil testing, winter weeds, ice melt, and spring planning.
4-page guide · Free PDF · No signup required
Open PDFPart 01
Green fescue and tan Bermuda can both be normal
Tall fescue remains green and may grow slowly during mild periods. Bermuda and zoysia enter dormancy after frost and become straw-colored until spring warmth returns.
Do not use color alone as a reason to fertilize. Winter is a rest period, especially for warm-season turf, and worn dormant grass cannot repair itself until growth resumes.
Part 02
Protect the surface
Stay off frosted turf until it thaws, spread concentrated foot traffic, and keep late oak leaves from forming a wet mat over the grass.
Around walks and driveways, shovel first and use deicing products sparingly. Avoid piling salty snow on the lawn, and plan to flush exposed edges when growth returns.
Part 03
Use winter to remove guesswork
A soil test can identify pH and nutrient needs before spring purchases begin. Winter is also a good time to sharpen the mower blade, inspect irrigation components, and note thin or weedy areas while they are easy to see.
Buy crabgrass preventer before forsythia blooms, but remember that spring seed and most preventers conflict. The downloadable guide includes a compact planning calendar for the entire next season.
Download the free PDF.
The PDF includes the full calendar, checklists, tables, and reference notes in a format that is easy to save or print.
Common questions
A few answers before you download.
Why is my Bermuda lawn brown in winter?
Bermuda naturally goes dormant after frost. A uniform tan or straw color is expected until warm soil brings green-up.
Should I fertilize tall fescue in winter?
No. The main fall schedule ends in November, and the next light feeding is typically planned for spring.
Can I walk on a frosted lawn?
It is better to wait until the frost melts. Frozen leaves are brittle and can be damaged by traffic.