The Best Winterizer Fertilizer to Use on a Newly Established Lawn

Winterizer Fertilizer

• As your lawn begins to enter dormancy, nutrients are directed down to the root systems instead of producing grass blades. The result is stronger and larger roots by the time spring arrives. Winterizer fertilizer helps send additional nutrients to your root system without encouraging a flush of new growth. In fact, using excessive nitrogen on your newly established lawn at the end of the growing season causes grass blades to grow, which are then damaged during cooler temperatures.

Types

• Winterizer fertilizer contain a high percentage of phosphorus and potassium, according to Arizona Central. The nitrogen percentage on your fertilizer should be low to discourage grass blade growth. For example, gardeners may use a winterizer fertilizer that has a NPK amount of 13-25-12, according to This Old House. The high percentage of phosphorus is able to promote grass root system growth until December. Therefore, your newly established lawn is able to quickly recover in the early spring to late spring.

When to Apply

• Gardeners should sow their lawns early in the fall to give their grass enough time to establish before temperatures drop. Grass seeded too late in the year cannot establish fast enough to withstand winter injury. In addition, you need at least a month of growth before applying winterizer fertilizer. The best time to apply winterizer fertilizer is sometime between the end of October to early November, according to This Old House. Make sure that you seed your lawn sometime in September to early October.

Other Considerations

• Increase germination and establishment time by keeping the soil moist after seeding the lawn. You can also encourage a quick establishment time by keeping off of new seedlings. Use the correct amount of fertilizer to avoid burning your new lawn with nitrogen. Avoid using more than one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Water the lawn after fertilizing. Wait for your lawn to green up in the spring to fertilize again. Applying fertilizer to dormant grass contributes to weed growth.