Now's the Time to Winterize your Lawn

This week’s warm weather aside, October is bringing about a change in your lawn.  The shorter days and cooler temperatures mean the grass isn't growing as vigorously and typically, you're mowing less frequently. While top growth has slowed down, grass roots are still very active storing nutrients and moisture, getting ready for the winter season.  All this activity at the root level makes this an important time to build soil structure and to feed your lawn.  

This is accomplished by first aerating the lawn, then adding organic material to soil in the form of humate. Aeration is important because it relieves compaction and opens the soil, which allows air, water, and fertilizer to penetrate to the roots.

You can do aeration yourself or hire it done. Just make sure you get a good core extraction, not just punch holes in the ground.  

Next, add granular humate to your lawn. Granular humate will break down clay, improve soil structure and increase microbial activity in the soil. Humate will also help your grass take up nutrients more effectively and stay greener with less water. After applying Humate, water in thoroughly, then select a winter-specific lawn fertilizer.  

A good winterizer fertilizer should contain more Nitrogen than Phosphate and Potash. Typically, the numbers on the bag will read something like 15-3-6 or 25-5-6.  Nitrogen is always listed first, Phosphate second and Potash third.

Fertilizers applied at this point in the season do not contribute to significant top growth. Instead, the Nitrogen component in these fertilizers is absorbed by the root system. This will ensure there’s enough food available for a quicker green-up and stronger top growth early in the spring season. Phosphates and Potash in winterizer fertilizers build strong root system which helps the grass crowns survive the winter.  

  

Over the next few weeks, gradually lower your mower's height so that the last cutting will be about two- and one-half inches tall.  

Mowing frequency is more a matter of keeping the leaves from collecting on the lawn, than of grass growing. Using a mulching mower to chop up leaves is an effective way to return organic matter to the soil. Bagging the clippings and using them in the garden is also a possibility if the lawn hasn’t been treated with an herbicide. 

During the winter, use a simple sprinkler to water your lawn, if there isn't sufficient natural moisture. This will also benefit the trees and shrubs planted in or near your lawn. Winter watering is especially important where the lawn and trees are surrounded by sidewalks and streets. Do this when the temperature is above 40°F. Taking these steps now will help ensure a healthier lawn next spring.