How do you rebuild lawn-grass at the start of winter?

Answer 1

If you're in the Midwest or any other temperate zone, you don't. There are some things you can do during the winter to improve your existing lawn. Sow seed in late winter, early spring when there is still a chance for snow and just before the freeze thaw cycle is in its most dramatic. The freeze thaw loosens the ground and creates nature's perfect seed bed. You can take advantage of this by broadcasting turf seed over the ground. Preferably while it's snowing, you can easily see where the seed is going on top of snow and if it snows enough, the snow will hide the seed from hungry birds. As the snow melts the seed is drawn into the soil and that perfect freeze thaw seed bed. It sits there waiting for spring to have it jump out of the ground. You can lay sod down to give the appearance of lawn (good luck finding it) but without warm soil and active roots it will not take. You may get lucky with some of the turf making it through the winter but in general it will be weak or nonexistent by spring.