Spring Lawn Care in Minnesota: How to Repair Winter Lawn Damage

Winter can be tough on lawns across Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Even though we didn’t have record-breaking snowfall this year, the long duration of snow cover will still lead to noticeable turf damage. When lawns stay covered for months, they remain wet, compacted, and deprived of oxygen. This creates the perfect environment for rodent activity, snow mold, and salt injury.

As the snow melts this spring, many homeowners will see damage that wasn’t visible all winter.

The good news is most of it can be fixed — especially if you act early.

Rodent Damage (Voles & Field Mice)

Over the winter, rodents tunnel beneath the snow to stay warm. As they move around, they chew on grass and leave behind trails of shredded turf and debris.

You may notice:

• Narrow runways through the lawn
• Torn or loose grass
• Small dead patches
• Straw-like debris left behind

What to do:
Lightly rake these areas with a broom rake to remove debris and lift the grass upright. This allows sunlight and air to reach the soil. Areas with heavier damage will likely need overseeding.

Snow Mold

Snow mold develops when turf stays wet and matted under snow for long periods.

The damage often looks like:

• White, gray, or pink circular patches
• Milky or fuzzy growth
• Grass pressed flat and matted

It may look severe, but most of the grass is still alive.

What to do:
Gently rake affected areas to improve airflow and allow the turf to dry out. Drying the grass naturally stops the fungus and prevents further damage.

Salt Damage from Snow Removal

Salt from sidewalks and driveways can wash into nearby grass during snow melt.

Signs include:

• Yellow or brown strips along pavement
• Thin turf near sidewalks and driveways
• Slower green-up compared to the rest of the lawn

What to do:
Flush affected areas with water to dilute salt buildup. Severely damaged spots may need soil loosening and reseeding.

Watch: How We Repair and Seed Lawns in Spring

Below is a quick video showing how we rake out winter debris, prepare the soil, and overseed damaged areas to help lawns fill in quickly.

Sping seeding hack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_hX8OIxlU

Why Early Spring Action Matters

Minnesota has a short growing season. Every week counts.

Taking care of winter damage early helps your lawn:

• Green up faster
• Fill in thin spots
• Prevent weeds from taking over
• Stay healthier through summer

If thin areas aren’t repaired early, weeds often move in before grass has a chance to recover.

If you would rather not handle repairs, seeding, fertilization, and weed control yourself, Showcase Lawn Care provides professional lawn care services throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding Minnesota communities.

Learn more at www.lawn.pro or contact us anytime to get your lawn back in shape this spring.

763-425-1200