Will Snow Kill Grass Seed? What You Need to Know

Snow can cover your lawn to the point that you can’t even see a single blade of grass. It presents several growth challenges for the roots, grass blades, and soil. Furthermore, the frigid temperatures aren’t the best for moisture and nutrient absorption.

Snow won’t kill grass seeds, but it can kill seedlings. The grass seeds will stay dormant until the snow goes away. However, sprouting seedlings will be exposed to cold temperatures. They won’t have enough access to oxygen and sunlight, so they can’t grow.

In this post, we’ll break down why it’s often okay to spread grass seeds before it snows, what happens if the seeds freeze, and when the best time to overseed is. We’ll also cover what happens to your lawn when it snows.

Is It Okay if It Snows on Grass Seed?

While it’s typically okay if it snows on grass seeds, there are a few issues that your lawn might encounter. Most grasses are tough and can withstand the snow, but it’s important to know what could happen to the yard.

Here’s a list of what could happen if it snows on the grass seeds:

• Your grass seeds could wash away if they’re on a slope or terraced yard when the snow melts.
• The grass seeds might germinate or sprout, which removes their durable, protective shell.
• Most grass seeds will remain dormant and cease to grow until the snow goes away and the soil warms up.
• The snow can freeze the soil and make it too hard for the grass seeds to get below the surface.
• New grass roots will likely freeze and ruin the grass blades.

Fresh snow on new grass seeds might seem worrisome, but it’s rarely an issue. In fact, we’ll soon discuss why some homeowners intentionally overseed their lawns before it snows. If you want to know what happens if it freezes after you plant grass seeds, read on.

What if It Freezes After I Plant Grass Seed?

If it freezes after you plant grass seeds, the seeds likely won’t germinate. However, they can sprout once the snow goes away. Grass seeds are resilient and can withstand extreme temperatures. The seedlings are much less durable, so it’s important to spread the seeds during the correct time of the year.

Frozen ground can create quite a handful of problems for your grass seeds if they germinate. The hardened soil is nearly impossible for the seeds to get underground. Furthermore, the frost prevents water and sunlight from getting below the surface.

American Turf and Tree Care claims frozen ground and snow usually prevent grass seed germination. However, this process often works to your lawn’s benefit by preserving the seeds’ natural outer layer. The grass can germinate once it gets enough exposure to moisture, sunlight, and oxygen.

If the soil or grass freezes after you plant grass, you could try these suggestions:

1. Brush the snow off of the ground if it’s loose and thin. You can remove fresh snow, but it’s practically useless if there’s a thick, dense layer on the soil.
2. Spray the soil with warm water to loosen the dirt and get rid of the frost. This trick usually only works if it’s cold at night and warm during the day. Don’t spray the soil if it’s too cold because it’ll turn to ice and ruin the grass seeds.
3. Wait for the snow season to pass, then overseed and water the soil. This is the best course of action because you can grow a full, healthy lawn in the spring. However, some grasses grow best when it’s cold, so it’s important to know which type of lawn you have.

The best way to avoid these issues is to rake in the grass seed after you spread it. Grass seeds need to be raked into the soil to promote healthy growth, nutrient absorption, and optimal protection from the elements and direct sunlight.

What Happens to Grass When It Snows?

When it snows, the grass will stop growing. Some grasses will go dormant, while others will get patchy if they’re covered by too much snow. The cold snow and frost will prevent oxygen, sunlight, nutrients, and hydration from reaching the soil. However, most winter grasses will be fine when it snows.

Too much snow on the grass has a much different effect than it does on grass seeds. It’s better to keep your lawn short during the winter to prevent these frozen grass issues:

• Wet, cold grass can grow snow mold.
• Long, snow-covered grass becomes fragile and can break from the frost.
• Stepping on snowy grass can crack the blades and damage the roots.
• Using a riding mower on frozen grass can break the grass blades, so use a push mower if possible.
• The grass likely won’t naturally drop seeds when it’s too cold, so you’ll have to overseed the lawn if you want to grow more grass.

If there are so many problems associated with growing grass and planting seeds when it snows, why do some lawn care experts rely on it? Find out below.

Can You Overseed Before Snow?

You can overseed before it snows to make the grass seeds dormant until the spring. This method allows the seeds to fall deep into the soil, making them germinate right when the soil gets warmer. You need to add a lot of grass seeds to accommodate the cold, hard dirt.

Dormant seeding (the process of overseeding the lawn during the winter) relies on the ground shifting from freezing and thawing. The morning and afternoon thaw loosens the soil, allowing most of the grass seeds to get below the surface.

These seeds won’t grow until the springtime since they need the sun’s warmth. That being said, it’s a surefire method to ensure your lawn doesn’t freeze and crack when it freezes or snows. This unique technique doesn’t require too much watering until the winter turns to spring. Most of the time, the spring’s rainwater is better for the grass anyways.

Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader loads up with up to 1,500 square feet worth of grass seeds. Fill the tub and turn the lever to gradually release the seeds. This handy tool comes with an adjustable opening to choose how much grass seed comes out and how quickly the lever turns.

Grass Pad explains why so many people enjoy dormant seeding in this educational video: