Winter Turf Care
Sunday, November 25th, 2007Turf 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.