Winter is coming to Tennessee, and it’s a critical turning point for lawn and yard care. Once the temperature has dipped under 32 degrees, it’s time to change your approach to supporting your lawn through the winter months.
In 2025, temperatures in Middle Tennessee dropped below freezing on November 10, so the transition to winter lawn care has begun. Here are five ways to protect your lawn during the colder months and set your spring lawn up for success.
1. Winterize Your Sprinkler System
A sudden Middle Tennessee freeze can burst irrigation lines. Be sure to shut off, drain, and winterize your system before the first hard freeze. Protecting your system before cold winter temperatures hit can help prevent expensive spring repairs.
2. Mow Until Grass Stops Growing
After the first frost, your grass won’t stop growing immediately. You can continue mowing until turf growth has fully halted. For most Nashville neighborhoods, that happens in late November. For cool season grasses like fescue, rye, and Kentucky bluegrass, aim for a final height of three-three and a half inches. For warm season grasses like Bermuda, or zoysia, leave them at three inches.
Cutting the grass slightly shorter for winter helps prevent matting, snow mold, and moisture buildup near the soil surface. Just avoid cutting the grass too short, which can expose roots to winter damage.
3. Apply Late Season Fertilizer
You can apply a light layer of fertilizer before the soil freezes for the winter. A slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer applied just after the final season mow can help your grass build root reserves, making it even greener in the spring. Light fertilization can also improve nutrient storage, keeping your lawn healthier as it endures cold temperatures and moisture from snowfall.
4. Don’t Step on Frozen Grass
After the first frost, your grass becomes more fragile. Frozen blades of grass can be easily damaged by heavy foot traffic, equipment, pets, and vehicles. Repeated traffic, especially when frost is still visible, can cause long-lasting turf injury. Preserving your lawn’s structure during the winter helps avoid patchy spots later.
5. Avoid Heavy Salting Near Your Lawn
Sidewalks and driveways can be hazardous in the winter, and it’s important to clear ice and snow from walkways to keep pedestrians safe. But to keep your lawn looking its best, it’s important to remember that sodium chloride and other ice-clearing chemicals can burn, singe, or destroy grass growth, leaving bare spots when the grass regrows in the spring. When applying salt or ice melt, keep it on concrete and asphalt and away from your lawn.
Let Us Handle Your Year-Round Lawn Care
If all this sounds overwhelming, turn the care and keeping of your lawn over to Turf Managers. We’ve been trusted by Tennessee homeowners and businesses since our founding, and we have the tools, knowledge, and techniques to keep your lawn in excellent shape. Reach out during the winter to plan a targeted approach that will help your yard reach peak performance. You can also call us at (615) 269-7706 or explore our site to learn more.