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When To Apply Winter Fertilizer

In general, try your best to apply it between September 1 and October 15. The farther north you live, the earlier you should apply it. The goal is to have at least one month of active grass growing weather remaining before winter takes its grip.

When should I apply winter fertilizer?

The best time to apply a winterizer is after the grass stops growing in the fall, while it is still green on top and active below the surface. In most parts of the North, this will be sometime in mid-late November, or even early December.

When should Scotts WinterGuard be applied?

Fall is the best time to feed with Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food. It builds strong, deep roots for a better lawn next spring.

Is it too late to put down winter fertilizer?

Timing is Everything Beware: fertilizing too late (once winter sets in) or too early (before mid-November) can actually do harm to your lawn. Applying a fertilizer too late after the first frost can result in chemical burns, root damage, and blade damage.

Is Winterizer fertilizer necessary?

Most lawn care experts are adamant that winterizer fertilizer is the most important of all fertilizers. Winterizer helps the roots of the grass absorb and store nutrients. The roots continue to grow until the ground eventually freezes. Winterizer fertilizer also feeds the grass throughout the winter.

Can I put fertilizer down in January?

Don’t fertilize too early! During the winter months, grass is likely dormant if you haven’t been irrigating. When you fertilize too early in spring—meaning it’s still winter— you’re providing nutrients before the grass has broken dormancy. It won’t be able to immediately take advantage of the nutrients you provided.

Is it too late to fertilize your lawn in November?

The exact timing on when to fertilize varies based on weather conditions and your climate zone; however, the final fertilizer application should be done sometime in November in most regions. This is the point when the grass has stopped growing or has slowed down to the point of not needing to be mowed.

Is it too cold to fertilize lawn?

As a general rule, you should not fertilize your lawn when it is dormant. Lawn grass can go dormant when it’s too cold, or too hot. At the cool end of the spectrum, you want to be sure that your air temperatures are consistently 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

Do I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?

Ideally, you should aim to fertilize about two days after rain or watering, and when the next heavy rainfall is at least two days away. It can be helpful to have some rain before and after fertilizing. Rain a couple of days before fertilizing keeps your yard moist and the turf healthy, receptive to the nutrients.

How late can I apply fertilizer?

Timing: Apply late spring lawn fertilizer once between April and June, 6 to 8 weeks after the early spring feeding. If you have purchased the Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program, apply the Spring product now. It will help your lawn grow strong roots while killing dandelion, clover, and other listed weeds.

Can you fertilize lawn after frost?

Based on appearance alone, it’s often assumed soil is frozen at this point too and that no more fertilizer should be applied, as the soil can’t absorb nutrients. The reality is, however, that fertilizing after frost is a good idea — and we’ll tell you why here.

When should I feed my grass after winter?

Feeding in autumn helps encourage strong root growth, so your lawn will recover quickly from a harsh winter and put on lush green growth in spring. Autumn feeding is actually the most important feed and integral part of lawn care!.

What’s the difference between fall fertilizer and winter fertilizer?

Regular fertilizer that you apply throughout the spring, summer, and early fall keeps your grass growing at the optimum rate. By applying a winterizer, the roots will store nutrients and slowly feed your grass ensuring it survives, avoids winter diseases like snow mold, and has a quicker “green up” in the spring.

When should I fertilize my lawn before winter?

Apply fall lawn fertilizer 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes. To find an exact date, look for the first frost date in your area. That date is typically a good time to fertilize since the ground hasn’t frozen yet. More generally, mid-October is a good time to apply lawn fertilizer.

How late can you apply fall fertilizer?

Fall Fertilizer Timing When to do it depends on where you live. For the majority of cool-season lawn owners, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November. The further north you garden, the sooner you’ll feed your lawn.

Is it OK to fertilize plants in winter?

ANSWER: You should not fertilize plants that would normally go dormant here during the winter. This includes all hardy trees, shrubs, ground covers, lawns and most perennials. Plants that are expected to grow during the winter, however, may be fertilized now.

How do I fertilize my lawn for winter?

You can use a winterizer or another fertilizer as long as it contains both nitrogen and potassium. Or supplement your lawn throughout the season with potassium from organic sources. For warm-season grasses, wait until late spring to fertilize and feed with balanced nutrients.