Does my lawn actually benefit from a winter fertilizer application?

Winter fertilizers are specially formulated to provide essential nutrients that support the health of your grass during the dormant winter months. While grass growth slows down in winter, the roots continue to grow, and the plant still needs nutrients for overall health and resilience.

Here are some benefits of using winter fertilizer:

1. Root development: Winter fertilizers often contain higher levels of potassium, which promotes root development and strengthens the grass plant. This is particularly important during the winter when the grass focuses on root growth rather than top growth.
2. Disease resistance: A well-fertilized lawn is generally more resistant to diseases. The nutrients in winter fertilizer help the grass maintain its strength, making it less susceptible to winter-related diseases.
3. Early spring green-up: Applying winter fertilizer in the fall provides the grass with nutrients that it can use when it starts to grow again in the spring. This can result in a quicker green-up and healthier lawn as the growing season begins.
4. Stress tolerance: The nutrients in winter fertilizer contribute to the overall stress tolerance of the grass. This is important in regions where the lawn may experience fluctuations in temperature or other environmental stresses during the winter.

It’s generally recommended to apply winter fertilizer in the late fall, a few weeks before the first hard frost, to allow the grass to absorb and utilize the nutrients before entering dormancy.  Keep in mind that over-fertilizing can be harmful to your lawn, so if you’re unsure about the specific needs of your lawn, consider having Heartland Turf manage your lawn’s needs.