Minnesota winters are brutal - and they leave their mark on your lawn long after the snow melts. Here are the five most common types of spring damage we see in West Metro lawns, and how to fix each one before the growing season really starts.
1. Snow mold Two flavors: gray (cosmetic) and pink (kills the crown). You'll see matted, straw-colored patches as soon as snow recedes. **Fix:** lightly rake to break up matted grass; for heavier infestations we dethatch with front-mounted tine rakes and baggers (we don't power rake).
2. Vole trails Surface tunnels of dead grass winding across your lawn - voles tunneled under the snow all winter. **Fix:** rake out the dead grass, top-dress with soil, and overseed.
3. Salt burn Brown stripes 1–3 feet from driveways, walks, and the street where ice melt accumulated. **Fix:** flush the area with water in early spring, then aerate and overseed those zones.
4. Plow damage Chunks of turf torn out by plow blades. **Fix:** tamp them back down and water thoroughly, or replace with sod patches if shredded.
5. Compaction Heavy snow + foot traffic = compacted soil that can't breathe. **Fix:** core aeration in spring or fall.
If any of this sounds familiar, give us a call - most of these are quick fixes when caught early.