In Greater Chicago, we look forward to a warm spring and summer after our typically cold and windy winters that bring lots of snow and ice.
The warm weather brings chances for enjoying outdoor activities like your backyard cookouts, relaxing with family and friends on the patio, and playing with your dog on the lawn.
Typically, Greater Chicago temperatures begin to warm up in early April.
But the 2023-2024 winter was a bit different. February finished as the warmest on record for Chicago, with average temperatures ending up at more than 10 degrees above normal. In fact, of all the seasons in Chicago, winter has been warming the fastest. A Climate Central study shows our winters have warmed more than 3 degrees during the period of 1970 through 2021.
So, sure, we enjoyed a milder winter than what we were used to, but does a warm winter harm the landscape?
Let's talk about a warm winter’s effect on the landscape so you can pay attention to any signs you’re seeing out there and stay ahead of any potential problems.
Managing Common Warm-Winter Problems
When we don’t have a normal winter, you might notice some unusual behaviors in your landscape.
This is especially true for new plantings. While we don’t always love a thick layer of snow, your plants actually like it for root insulation purposes.
Let’s look at some common warm winter impacts on plants.
Decreased Blooms and Bloom Time
Fortunately, the native plants in Greater Chicago are used to our swings in winter temperatures as spring approaches, so they aren’t tricked as easily into coming out of dormancy.
In fact, to counter the issue of plant tissue being killed by late winter freezes, many of our woody plants developed a threshold where temperatures need to remain above 24 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 4 to 8 weeks before breaking dormancy, according to University of Minnesota Extension research.
But where this is a warm winter problem is when plants are tricked into coming out of dormancy for a period of time, so growth is triggered. Then when freezing temperatures return, that growth dies. This can impact bloom timing.
In fact, mild winters are known to bring the growing season forward. This can lead to shorter flower blooms.
Perennials may bloom early in a warm winter, but they can then be fine through spring and summer. Many annuals bloom in spring and summer, so they can bloom early during a warm winter and then die before spring arrives. Some cold-hardy annuals may not bloom at all during a warm winter. The range of bloom issues can be vast.
Increased Disease Risks
Warm winter problems don’t stop with decreased bloom time. Unfortunately. They can also lead to a greater risk of common leaf spot diseases, such as apple scab, cedar-apple rust, and anthracnose.
Fungal or bacterial pathogens – and even pests or mites – can cause leaf spot diseases. Spots can range from teeny blemishes to strangely shaped yellow or brownish patches that can cover a majority of leaf tissue.
These infections can also be more severe, causing early defoliation and several leaf flushes.
Grass Challenges
Our cool-season grasses in Greater Chicago prefer mild, wet winters and like colder climates. Cool-season grasses actually grow abundantly in fall and winter, then they go dormant in summer when temperatures rise and the sun beats down.
Warm winters' effect on lawns includes pushing cool-season grasses to go dormant earlier and fail to produce healthy, new growth. Then this goes into spring when the lawn has a more challenging time creating a lush, green lawn.
Weeds also tend to grow faster and spread more in warmer weather. Many weeds that are dormant in cold weather can show up earlier during a warm winter.
This is particularly true if your lawn lacks nutrients or proper maintenance, such as adequate watering, proper mowing, or other forms of care like annual aeration. Early applications of preemergent fertilizers is important to help combat early germination of weeds, such as crabgrass and nutsedge.
One thing that can happen to Chicago lawns is crown hydration. This occurs when we experience a sudden warm spell in winter. It stimulates the grass to come out of its dormant state and start taking in water.
But when temperatures return to freezing, that water inside of the grass freezes and this can kill the crown. Proper maintenance with fertilizers, aeration, and dethatching is a good way to prevent and encourage healthier turf.
Let KD Landscape Help You With Warm Winter Problems
We know there is a lot to take in when it comes to warm winter effects on landscapes. It can become overwhelming.
In fact, we only scratched the surface above. There are a ton of issues that can impact various perennials, and since there are so many varieties and types out there, the challenges are vast.
We don’t expect you to learn about every warm winter problem out there that can impact Greater Chicago residential and commercial landscapes.
That’s why KD Landscape is here. We know you love your landscape and want it to look good – whether you are a proud homeowner or a manager of a growing business.
We can’t control the weather, but we can provide resources and education to help you better understand what is going on. We can also become a partner for you, tackling common challenges early and ensuring your plants don’t get the worst of the weather challenges. And if you notice some strange issues happening on your landscape, give us a call.
We have years of experience tackling all that Mother Nature has thrown at Greater Chicago landscapes, so we’re prepared to deal with it all, and give you the peace of mind you seek.
Want to learn more about how KD Landscape can help you get your Greater Chicago residential or commercial landscape through a warm winter? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can feel confident and make a great choice.
