Benefits of Winterizing Fertilizer
We are often asked if applying a winterizing fertilizer at the end of the fall is beneficial. This blog will take a closer look at what a winterizing fertilizer does for the turf, and its importance to maintaining a healthy lawn.
When to apply
The winterizing fertilizer should be performed in the late fall; anytime from October through the end of November is the appropriate timeframe for our service area. Between October and November, shoot growth starts to slow down and seize, but root growth will pick up and continue until the soil freezes. New Jersey also has restrictions on when fertilizer can be applied in the year. For more information about New Jersey fertilizer laws, check out our blog.
Benefits of Winterizing Fertilizer
Once the soil temperatures get low enough, the turf plant slows down growth of the shoots above the soil and stops producing chlorophyll. This is when you might notice the grass turning a brown or tan color. During this time, the turf shifts growth from the leaves above the surface to the roots under the soil. Even though it looks like the grass has stopped working up top, it doesn’t mean the roots below have stopped working. The grass stores carbohydrates in the roots and uses the carbohydrates it has for food over the winter. A winterizing fertilizer provides the turf the nutrients it uses during the winter months.
A winterizing fertilizer also helps increase rooting of the grass plants. Maximum rooting occurs in the early spring and again in the fall. When developing turf, you want to promote growth and development of the plant’s roots. The winterizing fertilizer provides another opportunity to supply nutrients needed for the turf to increase the size and number of the roots in the soil. Increased roots help the turf take in more nutrients and moisture which will produce a stronger, healthier overall grass plant.
Further, applying a winterizing fertilizer to the lawn helps promote “green up” in the springtime. As we said above, the turf holds its nutrients in the roots during the winter months. Once the temperatures start to rise and the days become longer, the grass draws from the nutrient reserves in the roots to begin growing and greening up. Having these nutrients readily available in the spring allows the turf to green up when the soil temperatures are warm enough.
Conclusion
Overall, applying a winterizing fertilizer to the lawn in the late fall is imperative to provide the turf with adequate nutrients. This type of fertilizer provides the turf the opportunity to accumulate carbohydrates for the winter months, support root development and helps the green up process in the spring. If you have any questions about winterizing fertilizer or are in our service area and would like to fertilize your lawn, please contact Fairway Green Inc. today.
