My Lawn Disappears Each Winter And Then Comes Back Each Spring. What’s Going On?

Question

Every winter, whatever it is that is growing on my yard disappears, leaving bare ground (which is a big muddy mess if it snows or rains over the winter). I would like to identify what type of grass this is (if it’s even grass at all!) and some advice on what to do to keep some ground cover throughout the year. Attached is a photo showing what the yard is doing right now in the spring time. You’ll see that there is some green growth and some dirt. In the winter, the whole area would be dirt. In another few weeks, it will all be green. Thank you.

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Answer 1

It looks like you are in what is known as the "Transition Zone". This area requires multiple grass types to fill in over the seasons and prevent bare spots. There are special grass seed bags that are marketed for these areas that can be found at your local feed and seed stores.

These article will give you more information on grasses for your area:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/needlegrass/green-needlegrass-information.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-6/zone-6-grass-seed.htm

What you have growing, there, appears to be Moss Rose.This article will help you with the care of the plant:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/portulaca/portulaca-plants.htm

This collection of articles will give you quite a bit of information on gardening in your zone:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-6