How Frost Affects Your Lawn in Manatee County
By Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control
Living in Manatee County, we’re lucky to enjoy warm weather most of the year. But every now and then, a cold front pushes through — and with it comes frost. Though freezes are rare along the Gulf Coast, even a light frost can leave your lawn looking less than its best. Here’s what homeowners should know and how to protect their turf this winter.
Why Frost Happens Here
Frost forms when nighttime temperatures dip close to freezing and moisture in the air condenses and freezes on surfaces like grass blades. In Manatee County, it’s uncommon, but it does happen during strong cold snaps — especially late at night into early mornings.
How Frost Impacts Your Lawn
Even though Florida’s grass types (like St. Augustine and Bahia) are adapted to warm weather, frost can still affect them:
Ice Crystals & Cell Damage
When moisture on grass blades freezes, tiny ice crystals form inside the leaf structure. These crystals can rupture cell walls — which weakens or browns the grass blades.
Foot Traffic Damage
Frozen grass is brittle. Walking, mowing, or driving equipment over it can break blades and leave brown footprints — sometimes more noticeable than the frost itself.
Cosmetic Damage
The most common result is browning or dulling of color. Often this is cosmetic — meaning the grass isn’t dead, just stressed. It usually recovers once warm weather returns and growth resumes.
Different Grasses, Different Reactions
St. Augustine Grass — This popular turf tends to show frost effects more clearly. You might see yellow or brown areas after a cold night.
Bahia Grass — More cold-tolerant, but still slows growth and can look patchy in colder conditions.
In either case, most frost effects are temporary if cared for correctly.
Tips to Protect Your Lawn from Frost
We recommend a few simple steps when a cold snap is in the forecast:
- Water Smartly
Water earlier in the day — not right before a cold night — to avoid adding moisture that can freeze.
-Pause Mowing Temporarily
Tall grass shades the soil and helps protect tender crowns. Avoid mowing right before a cold front.
-Stay Off the Lawn During Frost
Keep foot traffic to a minimum until the frost has fully melted — frozen blades are much more fragile.
What to Do After Frost Hits
Once temperatures warm up:
Let new green growth begin before mowing.
Avoid fertilizing until consistent warmer weather returns.
Keep an eye out for winter weeds — they can pop up as your turf slows.
With mild winters in Manatee County, most lawns bounce back naturally from frost with proper care.
Need Help This Winter?
At Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control, we understand how Florida’s unique climate affects your turf. From winter lawn evaluations to weed prevention and spring prep, we’re here to help your lawn look its best — even after a cold snap.
Call us today to schedule service and keep your lawn healthy all year long!