Winter Woes

Published March 6, 2008

Every winter, one of the most dreaded concerns is the possibility of ice damage to the turf. This is particularly a concern during fluctuations in temperature when rapid thawing occurs followed by freezing temperatures. During the past 60 days we have had such temperature fluctuations when the snow would partially melt and then freeze after a colder weather pattern moves in.

At this point it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine if my concerns are valid. Often times the turf will look unaffected until growth re-initiates in the spring when the rising temperatures start the growth cycle again. At that time damaged turf will start to turn brown and the extent of the damage, if any, will be fully known.

Click HERE for video of our investigation.

Why is ice bad?

Ice may or may not be the actual cause for winter damage. Ice cover for prolonged periods can cause turf damage due to the build up of noxious gases that are unable to escape because of the sealing effect of the ice. This in turn suffocates the grass and ultimately causes turf decline and eventually death.

Ice can also be an indication of fluctuation in temperatures as described above. This a concern as it may be an indication that the turf may have broken dormancy (depending on how warm it got) and started to take in water. Once the plant starts to take in water it is no longer as freeze resistant as it is when it is fully dormant. A freeze after a brief thaw in this case could rupture the plant cells causing damage.

Either way, we will not know until the temperatures become warm enough to melt the ice.

It's always good to think positively, so I will remain cautiously optimistic that there is no cause for alarm.

Hope to see you all soon,

Gordon Seliga, CGCS

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