Winter Lawn Care Checklist: How to Look After Your Lawn in the Cold Months

When winter arrives, it might seem like lawn care can take a back seat. But while your lawn slows down, it doesn’t stop needing attention. A little care now can prevent long-term damage and make spring lawn renovation much easier.

Here’s your simple winter lawn care checklist to keep your grass healthy, protected, and ready to bounce back when the weather warms up:

Winter Lawn Care Checklist (UK)

1. Avoid Walking on Frosty or Waterlogged Lawns

Grass blades become brittle in frosty or frozen conditions and can be easily damaged underfoot.

• Stay off the lawn during frost or when it's wet and spongy

• Use stepping stones or paths if you need to cross the grass

Why it matters: Foot traffic on frozen grass can crush the plant cells and leave yellow or bare patches by spring.

2. Clear Fallen Leaves Weekly

Leaves left on the lawn block light, trap moisture, and encourage moss and disease.

• Rake or blow leaves off once a week

• Compost the leaves or use them for leaf mould

• Focus on shady corners and low spots where leaves collect

Top tip: If the leaf layer is light, run a mower over them to mulch into the soil.

3. Keep the Grass Short - But Don’t Mow Too Often

If your grass is still growing in mild spells, you can give it a light trim.

• Cut on a dry day when the grass isn’t frosty or frozen

• Keep the blade height at 4–5cm — avoid scalping

• Stop mowing completely once consistent frost arrives

Final mow tip: Make your last cut before winter clean and neat to prevent disease buildup.

4. Aerate High-Traffic or Waterlogged Areas

Winter rain often reveals drainage problems. If parts of your lawn stay soggy or puddle-prone, light aeration can help.

• Use a garden fork or hollow-tine aerator to spike wet areas

• Follow up with topdressing if needed

• Apply humic acids to improve soil structure over time

Why now: Improving drainage now helps reduce moss and compaction by spring.

5. Apply a Winter Lawn Feed

Some lawns don’t need much feeding in winter, but in mild regions or for stressed lawns, a winter-safe fertiliser can help.

• Choose a low-nitrogen, high-potassium feed to strengthen roots

• Avoid feeding if the ground is frozen or snow-covered

• Never use spring/summer fertiliser in winter

Best for: Lawns that are thin, worn, or recovering from heavy use.

6. Plan Your Spring Lawn Renovation

Winter is a great time to plan ahead.

• Take notes on compacted or moss-prone areas

• Schedule your first spring feed for March/April

• Stock up on seed and renovation products now so you're ready when the weather turns

Pro tip: Join our Seasonal Lawn Care Subscription and we’ll send the right products at the right time - no guesswork needed.

Winter Lawn Summary

Final Thoughts

Winter lawn care doesn’t have to be high effort - it’s about protection and preparation. A few simple tasks like avoiding foot traffic, clearing leaves, and improving drainage will go a long way in keeping your lawn healthy until spring.