Before the end of October is the time to be considering putting a Winterizer Fertilizer application down. But why do you need a winterizer fertilizer? Especially if your lawn is just entering into a dormant state for the winter. The truth is that there are 3 important and critical facts to know about why a winterizer fertilizer is probably the MOST important application of the season.
FACT 1 - Our harsh summers can cause problems in your lawn
Keeping a green and healthy lawn in a desert area is not an easy task. Our hot summers can cause damage to many lawns, especially when water is in short supply. This damage can be further experienced if we have a very cold, but not very snowy winter. A good winterizer fertilizer will help the lawn to heal in the late fall months before it goes dormant and continue to feed that lawn throughout the winter. That results in your lawn greening up even quicker in the spring and looking lush and beautiful.
FACT 2 - Fall is the best time to put down the fertilizer - not after the snow falls
Some people believe that waiting until after the snow falls is the best time to put down a winterizer fertilizer. That simply is not true. You want the soil to allow the fertilizer to absorb down into the root of the lawn so it can be fed all winter long. If you wait until the snow falls, the soil could already be frozen and prevent the nutrients from getting down to the root. That means a good application in the mid to late fall will be the most beneficial for your lawn.
FACT 3 - You must use the right blend of fertilizer for the winter
If you've ever thought "As long as I put down any fertilizer in the fall I'm good..." you might be wrong. A true winterizer fertilizer is a special blend of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. These are the 3 numbers that create the specific fertilizer blend. A good winterizer fertilizer will be higher in the 2nd number (the phosphorous) and lower in the 1st and 3rd numbers.
So why is that important? The first number of a fertilizer is the Nitrogen, which is used to green up your lawn and promote growth. Because we are entering the season that a lawn goes dormant, this number doesn't need to be too high, but it needs to be present as Nitrogen is important to the health of all plants. The second number promotes root growth, which is precisely what we want the lawn to do to repair and ready itself for spring. The third number is Potassium which helps fight stress and disease and protects the lawn from the cold. A typical winterizer blend in Utah might feature the numbers of something like 16-25-10.
Conclusion
One of the most important applications of any lawn fertilization and weed control plan needs to be a winterizer fertilizer. It will keep your lawn healthy and strong all winter long and ready for the cold months. It is also critical in helping your lawn restore itself so it can be extra healthy and amazing the following year. If you'd like information on a winterizer fertilizer application for your lawn, I invite you to give us a call. We'd love to help your lawn get ready for winter.