Great Spring Results with Fall Lawn Prep

CLEARWATER, FL, September 22, 2010

September is the time to start preparing your lawn for the winter, especially if you want great spring results. "Waiting until early spring, or even winter, is too late for optimal results - the lush verdant carpet you want to see," states Travis Wascher, owner of Excel Lawns, a lawn and landscaping business servicing the four county area of Tampa/Clearwater.

Fall fertilization can be confusing for many. "Applying the appropriate amount of the correct fertilizer will stimulate a vigorous, healthy lawn that can overcome weeds and serve as a filter to protect Florida's ground and surface waters," notes Wascher. "On the other hand, applying an incorrect fertilizer at the wrong time can make your lawn a disaster."

In Northwest Florida, it is generally recommended that the last fertilization of the year be applied in early to mid September. "Be very selective in your choice of fertilizer. For your lawn's September application, consider a low nitrogen, high potassium fertilizer such as a 5-0-15, 5-0-20 or a 5-5-30," recommends Wascher. These may be referred to as "winterizers" because they prepare your lawn for winter.

Wascher also warns to watch out for many of the advertized "winterizer" fertilizers. Such fertilizers advertised as winterizers are "...often very high in nitrogen and are not good choices for a late season application. A good winterizing type fertilizer should contain two to three times more potassium than nitrogen," Wascher advises.

Nitrogen is always the first number in the fertilizer analysis. Phosphorus is the second number and potassium is the third. Unless a soil test indicates a need for phosphorus, we generally recommend no or low-phosphorus fertilizers because phosphorus can be a major pollutant of our surface water.

Turfgrass researchers at the University of Florida have seen that an increase in the potassium to nitrogen ratio in grass will increase the winter hardiness of a grass. This gives your lawn a jump start in the early spring by minimizing any winter damage.

Applying a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content can cause a flush of new growth too late in the year. It's equivalent to drinking a lot of regular coffee before going to bed. Wascher warns, "The nitrogen 'wakes' the grass up, forcing the lawn to produce new tender growth at the wrong time of year. This increases the likelihood of winter damage."

"Young tender growth is very susceptible to cold injury and is likely to be damaged by the first frost. This weakens the lawn and many times the damage goes unnoticed until the following spring when sections of the lawn do not green up. Dead patches, or winter 'burn', are the result."

Avoid winterizers such as 22-3-14, which is a common ratio marketed by some major companies with national distribution. These fertilizers are more appropriate for northern grasses than for southern grasses at this time of year.

Watering is essential during dry weather in the fall. "Whenever the grass wilts and the lawn turns grayish, water it," reminds Wascher, "Apply one-half inch of water at each application. If you do this, you won't have to water often, but your lawn should green up much better next spring."
"I wouldn't be concerned about weeds at this time other than those you can pull by hand. If you try applying an herbicide in hot weather, you will likely do as much damage to your lawn as to the weeds," observes Wascher. "Most of the weeds there now will die during the winter. The secret to weed control is focusing on keeping your lawn healthy, not killing the weeds." A healthy lawn gives little space for weeds to grow.

If you want to use herbicides, rely primarily on pre-emergent herbicides to prevent the weeds from emerging. The timing for a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent cool-season weeds is in October. The timing for preventing most warm-season weeds is early March. Unfortunately, neither one of these times is good for applying fertilizer, so avoid weed-and-feed fertilizers.
The above directions are just a few of the basics. Professional lawn care specialists, like Excel Lawns, know the finer nuances of cultivating spring's luscious, verdant carpet. Plus, professionals recognize and can treat insect infestation, fungus, and other lawn blight.

The right treatment now gives you a jump start in the spring. Wascher recommends, "Get started now!"

CONTACT:
Travis Wascher, Excel Lawns L.L.C.
Email: Excellawns@hotmail.com
Phone: 727-492-9545