The Importance of Fall Fertilization
How your lawn is managed this fall will play an important role on the quality of cool-season grasses the following spring. Fertilization is the one of the most important factors. It is easy to let other things get in the way of your attention, so let us do the work!
For cool-season grasses, which are used in Wisconsin lawns, fall is that period when the heat of summer has finally given way to cooler nights, steady or increased rainfall and sunny, warm days. This usually happens in September. Turfgrass plants respond with new growth, improved density and recovering from thinning that may have happened in the summer. Fertilization at this time aids and improves all these things.
As the temperature continues to cool during late fall, grass growth begins to slow and mowing frequency decreases to less than once a week. This is the time for late fall fertilization. A hard freeze usually causes cessation of turf growth, but the plant is still photosynthetically active. It will continue to use sunlight and nutrients until snow covers the ground or their root systems freeze solid. Since the plants are still active, even when not growing taller, it is important to make sure access to nutrients remains available.
Fertilizing at the proper time will help your lawn handle the winter stresses more easily, decrease the likelihood of a disease taking hold once the snow melts in spring, and get you back to a green, lush lawn more quickly. Call us today for a free estimate, It’s not too late!
Keyman Fertilization & Weed Control, LLC
608.845.9480
