Charlie's Corner

Thank you for your interest in King Hagen Lawn Care!

Lawn Update: Freeze Burn on Tall Fescue & Bluegrass – What Happened & What's Next?

We know you're seeing brown, crispy tips and patchy color on your turf—especially on tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. This isn't disease or poor care; it's freeze burn from last week's brutal cold snap (lows dipped to 14–15°F after weeks of mild temperatures). The rapid drop stressed the leaf blades, killing off the outer tissue while roots stayed alive. Wind and dry soil made it worse—classic winter whiplash.

Good news: your grass isn't dead. It's just shedding damaged leaves. Expect visible recovery in 7–10 days as soil warms (mid-60s this week, steady into next) and roots push through new growth. By early April, most yards should green up nicely—maybe a little slower if we get another surprise freeze.

What KHLC is Doing:

We're tending the lawns with our early spring applications, evaluating and addressing them as we go. Be sure to look for notes on your lawn care reports. 

What Can You Do?

- No aggressive mowing, please—no cutting short right now! Trimming brown tips too early could expose fresh tissue to another cold snap or sudden heat, slowing recovery. 

- Deep-watering (1 inch every 3–4 days, if there's no rain) to help roots rebound.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out!. 

- Charlie -

And, to ensure healthy and beautiful lawns, follow our fertilization and weed control program. 

Ask us for your free analysis and lawn care estimate. Optimal fertilization is all about timing and slow release. Wrong fertilizer applied at the wrong time will result in overgrowth and a compromised root system. Trust us to customize an effective program for your lawn. 

1. Avoid mowing your grass too low. Mowing grass too low will result in turf loss and can lead to a multitude of turf grass problems.

2. Maintain your mower: keep blades sharpened for optimal cutting. Cutting grass with dull blades is like cutting your hair the same way.

3. During hot weather, always water your lawn before noon. Watering grass after noon is like boiling vegetables.

4.  Remove leaves on your lawn by mulching them back into it, if possible. 

The most important thing we can do for your lawn is begin (or continue!) a comprehensive Lawn Care Program tailored to the specific needs of your turf, including fertilization and weed control, responding to current weather conditions. Right now we are finishing  dormant seeding and starting 

Early Spring  fertilization applications on your lawns, as weather allows. Our fertilization and weed control program includes a 5-point application plan for success.  

Contact us today with any questions you have about our lawn care program!

Enjoy time with your family and loved ones this season! My own family will be busy on lawns and making art (find Laura's paintings on  Laura King Fine Arts)!

Thanks again,  

Charles A. Hagen, President & Owner, KHLC

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