There are two main groups of turf grasses: warm weather grasses and cool weather grasses. Bermuda and St. Augustine are examples of warm weather grasses that are easier to maintain during fall and winter because they are dormant. On the other hand, cool weather turf, like Kentucky bluegrass, rye and red fescue grasses hit crucial growth periods in fall, winter, and spring. They grow at slower rates during hot summer weather.
The type of grass on your lawn determines the lawn care tips you should follow to keep your grass looking its best.
The importance of fertilizer
If you have cool weather grass, fertilization should take place in early November, just a couple of weeks after you retire your mower into the garage. Immediately after the application, deeply water your turf. Greenview Fertilizer reports that “...leading scientists recommend applying nitrogen fertilizers to cool season grasses in the spring and fall only, since this is when the grass is actively growing.”
Although some turf experts in certain parts of the country may disagree, Turfgrass Specialist, Richard L. Duble of the Texas Cooperative Extension, believes that warm weather turf benefits in color and overall health in the spring with a late fall application of fertilizer. If you apply about one pound of nitrogen every 30 to 60 days from early spring through late fall, the life of your grass will be extended, making it more attractive.
When to rake and dethatch
Rake any leaves on cool weather grasses in the fall and shred them for mulch. Don’t leave them in piles or the grass underneath will die if you have snow. Fall is also the perfect time to remove any dead grass that has built-up through a process called dethatching. If you don’t dethatch, your turf won’t absorb enough light and moisture. You can make this job easier by renting a power rake or use the dethatch attachment on your lawn mower.
Warm weather grasses should not be raked and dethatched in fall or winter. Instead, this step is appropriate in late spring or early summer when your grass is actively growing and before the intense heat of summer arrives.
Watering grass in fall and winter
After fertilizer is applied in November, stop watering cool weather grasses. It won’t be long until sleet and snow gives your turf all the moisture it needs. Also avoid walking on frost covered or frozen grass to prevent breakage.
If you have warm weather grass, keep watering all fall and winter, especially if your area gets very little rain for ten days or more at a time. In this case, watering deeply but less frequently encourages root growth and health.
Other garden lawn care tips
During fall raise the mowing height of your grass to three or four inches. For both types of seasonal grasses, this added height protects your turf during the winter by helping to protect fragile root growth.
Another tip to remember during winter is to use calcium chloride to remove ice from your driveway. Doing so is less harmful to your turf than using sodium chloride.
How to care for your lawn in fall and winter isn’t difficult, but it will require some effort on your part to achieve the best results no matter where you live.
