Fall/Winter Lawn Care

Now that the heat of the summer has dissipated, fall fertilizers can be applied. Use a 'winterizer' fertilizer. This is a low nitrogen fertilizer (it's the first number in the fertilizer ratio). Nitrogen makes plants green and grow. You don't want that now. The second and third numbers...phosphorus and potassium help with root growth and over all vigor of the plant.

A fall application of fertilizer will help you lawn get through the harshness of winter and give it a jump on spring.

In January, apply lime to sweeten the soil. In late February or early March apply a pre-emergent to keep the annual weed seed from germination. Pre-emergents come with fertilizer or without.

You can now begin to over seed you lawn. There is no harm in over seeding you lawn in both fall and spring. The thicker your lawn, the less weeds you will have. They can't get a foot hold or they're shaded out. Yeah!