Re: How long can grass survive under snow?

James,

There is no one correct answer for your question. Most grass in winter is killed by the lack of oxygen, normally caused by an ice layer on top of the snow.

Some times we will get a layer of ice before it snows, this ice shuts off the air supply to the plants. Seven to 10 days are about the most it will tolerate for winter wheat before we see "winter kill" under ice. If there is no ice crust it will fare much better. I think lawns react about the same. You may find the greatest kill under areas where snow has been piled up. I compare lawn grass to winter wheat because they share many of the same characteristics. If the grass lawn can get some air through the snow, it will probably make it, if the oxygen is shut off the grass may not make it. Do you know know what species of grass is in your lawn?

Dale Softley
Lincoln, Ne

ETA by Admin: I come from a part of Canada which gets several months of snow cover a year. Our lawns generally survive for many years of this annual abuse without needing replacement. So depending on your species, and the amount of ice versus pure fluffy snow, you probably don't need to worry.