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I was in my late teens when I learned that the winter snows in the
high Sierras ran all the way back east without a break.
My question is directed to anyone with a suburban type home with a lawn.
How do you mow the grass when its under 1, 2 3 or more feet of snow?
Suppose you neglected the lawn, left it way unmowed, and there is a sudden snowfall?
Do you just leave it like that knowing nobody will see it?
Does the grass go dormant, or do you have to re-sod it in the spring?
If the grass dies, do the weeds die with it?
Sorry for all the questions. - LH
I'm not an expert gardener, though - I don't know if it's better to leave the grass long or short for the winter. I guess it is important to get rid of the autumn leaves as much as possible before the first snowfall, too.
I usually bundle up rather than wearing my normal summer time lamn mowing attire of jungle print underpants.
>>>Suppose you neglected the lawn, left it way unmowed, and there is a sudden snowfall?
Never, and I mean ever, neglect your lawn.
>>Do you just leave it like that knowing nobody will see it?
Yes, but the guilt is overwhelming.
In Canada, the grass goes dormant, then all the leaves from the tree falls on the grass. You then rake the leaves. Then there is a wind storm and all the leaves from your neighboor blows on your lawn. Then it snows before you have a chance to rake a second time. In the spring you pay some kid $50 bucks the tangled mess of leaves and grass. Then the weaken grass is prey for a grubworm infestation, and you end up replanting the lawn anyways. This fall you let your leaves blow on your neighboors lawn.
One year when I was living in San Francisco, it actually snowed. I have video somewhere to prove it. There was even a layer on the top of my car.
That said, I've lived in California & Nevada my whole life and I'd wondered the same thing about lawns, but had never thought to ask. So, thanks.
- Larry
-- Zak
What? In Erie PA? No way!
I am on the northside of Lake Erie and there is never snow in September. What are you talking about (read aboot).
Yes, grass goes dormant in northern climes, but it comes back green as ever in the spring.
I don't know why the Canadian side of the pond doesn't get the snow. Maybe cause storms seems to come from Detroit, pick up ammo from Lake Erie, and dump it on us. Too far south to hit you guys. *shrug*
More info here [erh.noaa.gov].
About the grass:
How do you mow the grass when its under 1, 2 3 or more feet of snow?You don't, but if you mowed in the Fall, it won't be growing anyway.
Suppose you neglected the lawn, left it way unmowed, and there is a sudden snowfall?You get a mess in the Spring. Particularly since, if you didn't mow, you probably also didn't rake, which means you've got long grass and wet, matted leaves to deal with when you finally get back to the yard.
Do you just leave it like that knowing nobody will see it?Hard to do if you live in a neighborhood . . .
Does the grass go dormant, or do you have to re-sod it in the spring?The grass stops growing late in the Fall, and doesn't start again until early Spring. Where I'm from, the only reason to use sod at all is at a new construction site or something where the existing grass has been completely displaced and eradicated. Once you get a good lawn, normal maintenance will keep it going year after year.
If the grass dies, do the weeds die with it?Weeds never die. (Well, pulling them up by the roots and burning them works.) We've got some "Creeping Charlie" in our yard that simply won't quit. It's even burrowed under the foundation of our house and is coming up in the crawlspace, which means I have to crawl in and pull it up from time to time. It gets no sun so it's pale and white, but juicy and healthy as can be . . . No, not healthy to eat, but healthy as a plant.
The grass is always greener on the other side of winter.
It is melting when it hits the ground, correct? That does not count as snowfall. Just lumpy rain.
You will still get some really fine weather right through September and October. That is my favourite time of the year because I hate the high heat and high humidity in July and August.
And, just to stay on topic, humidity seems to have a very positive effect on grass. If we have a succession of hot, "smulchy" days, the grass grows like there's no tomorrow!
How do you mow the grass when its under 1, 2 3 or more feet of snow?
Here in Canada, we're above the "permafreeze line" and it's so cold year-round that many of us have fake lawns (acrylic astroturf), so they don't need any mowing or care except the occasional vaccuum and hose-down.
Those that do have real grass will usually have a combination snowblower/lawnmovver, which you can get at <snip>.
[edited by: lawman at 1:56 am (utc) on Mar. 23, 2005]
[edit reason] No urls please [/edit]
i know they used to have some with tire chains, but it was a real #*$! to swap chains everyday because of weather changes.
never buy one without a block heater, just not worth the trouble when pulling it over.
Another popular option is the grass painter which just sprays a green foam over your snow-covered lawn which hardens into a grass-like texture.
