Why You Should Apply Winterizing Fertilizer in Late Fall

Brace yourselves... Winter is most certainly coming. With just under 2 months to go until the official start of Winter, now's the time to start planning a strategy on how to put your lawn to bed for Winter.

One of the most important things on that list should be a winterizer. A 'winterizer' is an application of fertilizer applied in late Fall. This helps prepare the lawn to get through a long, cold Winter and can help minimize damage.

Benefits of Late Fall Fertilizing

Your grass needs nutrients at all times of the year, even Winter. Giving your lawn the nutrients it needs to thrive at the right times is the key to success, and ensuring your grass has the adequate resources it needs to get through Winter is the primary goal of winterizer fertilizers. 

The benefits of applying a winterizer in late Fall include;

• Minimizes disease susceptibility 
• Reduces the risk of winter kill
• Promotes deep rooting in late Fall and early Spring
• Prolongs dark green turf colour into early Winter
• Ensures good Winter survival
• Enhances the storage of carbohydrates
• Increases shoot density
• Provides early Spring green up

When to Apply a Winterizer

The optimal timing for Fall fertilizer would be when the shoot growth of the turf stops and before the ground freezes. Depending on where you are in Canada, this timing would most likely be anywhere from early October to late November, so seek the advice of a professional to make sure you get the timing right.

>> READ: The 10 Best Fall Lawn Care Services

Another good rule of thumb is to apply your winterizer after you've finished your last cut for the season, which can be shorter than your regular cutting height. Cut the lawn at 1.5 inches, and raise it back up to 2.5 inches in the Spring.

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