Agropro Blog

Turf care is normally the last thing on most homeowners’ minds during the winter months.  However, proper lawn maintenance during the winter months is the key to a lush, healthy lawn next spring.

Soil Test: Winter is the perfect time to have your soil tested. A soil test will determine the pH level of your soil and its nutrient levels. Click on the following link to learn more about soil testing: Soil Testing.

Fertilization: Winter fertilization is vital to the health of turf grass. Late fall and winter applications of fertilizer help lawns to develop stronger root systems and store energy for the following spring. Warm seasonal lawns (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede) should receive little to no nitrogen in late fall and winter; however, a high potassium fertilizer is ideal to strengthen their roots. Cool season lawns (Fescue, Bluegrass) should receive a balanced fertilizer including nitrogen to keep them healthy and green during the winter months.  

Weed Control: Winter pre-emergent treatments are extremely important for controlling winter annual weeds such as Poa Annua, Henbit, and Chickweed in warm season lawns. If pre-emergents are not applied in the fall and winter months, broadleaf and grassy weeds can infest an otherwise healthy lawn. Once Poa Annua germinates in a lawn it is very difficult to control. It will normally take several post-emergent treatments and warm soil temperatures (above 55 degrees) to burn it out. 

Mowing: Winter mowing is generally not necessary on warm season lawns. The mowing height can be raised on warm season lawns (2 to 3 inches) to help insulate and protect the root system. Cool season lawns may need to be mowed from time to time if the weather stays mild. The mowing height of cool season lawns should be between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches. Remember to always mow with a sharp mower blade. Mowing with a dull mower blade will cause several avoidable problems such as excessive water usage, increased disease activity, and poor appearance.

Some pests, such as many of the wood-boring insects and canker-causing fungi, are opportunistic and become serious problems on trees and shrubs that are under stress. Inadequate moisture, excessive moisture, extreme temperature, unfavorable soils, improper plant placement, improper planting, and mechanical injury are all factors that can lead to insect and disease problems with many trees and shrubs. Most ornamental landscape plants require professional care to stay healthy and attractive. Regular fertilization, pruning, mulching and pest control are all part of a good landscape management program. 

Fertilization: Fertilization is a very important component of plant health care.  It is necessary to use fertilizers to maintain an optimum supply of nutrient and micro nutrients in the soil for optimal plant growth. There are a couple of effective methods to fertilize landscape plants: liquid soil injections, and granular applications.

Pruning: Pruning is an important tool for developing and maintaining healthy plants. Developing solid pruning objectives is important. By combining these objectives with a basic understanding of pruning and how plants respond, you can derive maximum benefit from the effort.

Mulching: Mulch is a vital part of the landscape. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, minimizes weeds, and helps insulate the roots of plants from extreme temperatures during the summer and winter months. A thick layer of mulch (2 to 3 inches deep) not only improves the aesthetics of your landscape, but also greatly benefits plant material during periods of dry weather by retaining soil moisture, especially if watering is prohibited. 

Pest Control: Landscape plants that are routinely inspected for insect and disease problems are less likely to be damaged. Preventive insect and disease control applications will also lower the risk of plant damage. Proper fertilization will help to combat pests by keeping your plants healthy and supplying the nutrients necessary for improved growth and strength.