With the recent swings in weather across our area, we wanted to share an important update on what your lawn may experience over the coming weeks—and what that means as we head toward spring.
A Quick Look at What’s Happening Weather-Wise
We’ve recently experienced warmer temperatures and rainfall, followed by a sharp shift toward colder conditions. As colder air moves in, many areas are seeing repeated sub-freezing mornings, with temperatures dipping well below normal for this time of year.
When warm, wet conditions are followed by a hard freeze, lawns can experience a type of cold stress known as winter injury, often referred to as winter kill.
What Is Winter Kill—and Should You Be Concerned?
Winter injury occurs when grass absorbs moisture during warmer periods and then freezes suddenly. This rapid temperature drop can stress or damage parts of the plant—especially the crown, which is the most critical part of the grass responsible for new growth.
The important thing to know:
Winter injury is common after weather patterns like this, and it doesn’t automatically mean your lawn is permanently damaged.
What You Might Notice This Spring
If winter injury occurs, you may see:
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Thin or discolored patches
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Areas that green up more slowly
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Increased stress in low spots or compacted areas
These symptoms are normal following winters with sharp temperature swings. In many cases, lawns recover naturally with proper care and time, though a weakened lawn leaves more room for opportunistic weeds common across the Southeast to take hold, and it can also be more vulnerable to warm-season threats like damaging fall armyworm outbreaks later in the year.
Grass Types & Sensitivity to Cold
Some grass types are more sensitive to winter injury than others:
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Zoysia lawns (common in Birmingham and surrounding areas) may show more noticeable injury this spring.
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Bermuda lawns are very resilient and typically recover well with patience and the right maintenance.
It’s not a question of if some lawns see winter injury this year—it’s how much. We won’t know the full extent until lawns begin actively growing again in spring.
How We Help Lawns Recover
As your lawn care partner, our focus is on recovery, root health, and long-term success.
One of the most effective ways to support a stressed lawn is core aeration, which:
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Relieves soil compaction
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Improves oxygen, water, and nutrient flow to the roots
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Helps lawns bounce back stronger during spring green-up
While aeration services won’t begin until March, scheduling ahead ensures your lawn is ready when the recovery window opens.
What to Do Right Now
For now, the best approach is simple, and once spring arrives, a well-timed early-season scalping can jumpstart green-up on lawns recovering from winter stress:
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Be patient
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Avoid unnecessary stress on the lawn
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Allow recovery to happen gradually as temperatures rise
We’ll continue monitoring conditions closely and will be here to guide you through spring recovery if winter injury appears.
The best spring recoveries start with a plan. Contact us to learn how aeration and seasonal lawn care can help your lawn rebound stronger and greener this spring.
