Figuring out the right time to fertilize your lawn can seem like a mystery art but it doesn’t have to be. Winter lawn fertilizer keeps your lawn alive through the winter and jump-starts growth in spring. It is not suitable for all types of grasses and requires certain conditions. Here is the breakdown of how and when to apply winterizer fertilizer.
What Is a Winterizer?
A winterizer is a fertilizer applied in late fall to help your lawn survive the winter by storing more food. It also helps your lawn to root and grow faster in the spring. A winterizer is not meant to augment fall grass growth, this is achieved by the early fall fertilizing in September and early October. It contains more potassium than other fertilizers. Potassium is key for root growth and helps plants weather the cold.
Which Grasses Require Winterizer?
This type of fertilizer is designed for cool-season grasses which reach peak growth in the fall and require more potassium in the winter.
Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, go dormant in the winter and therefore need fertilizer prior to their growing season in spring and summer.
When to Apply Winter Fertilizer
Fertilizer should not be applied to already frozen ground since it will not do any good to the lawn. Worse still, the unabsorbed nitrogen and nutrients will likely leach back into the water system.
The best time to apply winterizer is in late fall, about three weeks before the ground is frozen. This period will vary from region to region. In Canada, it will usually be two weeks before November while in other areas in the States the ideal time will be mid to late November.
It is important to make sure that your grass has stopped growing but still appears fresh and green. If your grass has already discolored, it’s too late to apply the winterizer.
The Best Way to Apply Winter Fertilizer
Applying winter fertilizer too late means that the lawn won’t absorb it and there’s a high risk of it contaminating groundwater. Some regions have laws restricting how late in fall or early in spring you can apply fertilizer to combat this.
The best winter fertilizer should contain water-soluble nitrogen which has quick-release action. A great hack to prevent pollution is to apply a third or half of the amount of granular fertilizer you would normally use the rest of the year. You can use even less liquid fertilizer.
Having your lawn fertilized by lawn experts is a great way to learn the ins and outs of winter fertilizing. They can also recommend additional treatments such as lime. Contact us today for professional lawn care in Cumming.
