The Advantages of Fall Fertilization of Turf Grass

Winter Benefits

• Grass that has been fertilized in the late summer and again in winter exhibits better winter color than grass that received its last fertilizer application in the early summer months. Grass is able to use the nitrogen in the fertilizer to remain green through the winter. Root growth is able to occur when soil temperatures dip to 40 to 65 degrees F., according to the Turfgrass Pathology Program at the University of Ohio Extension. Roots can continue to grow as long as the ground doesn't freeze.

Spring Benefits

• Applications of fertilizer in the fall allows grass to green up two to six weeks earlier, according to The Turfgrass Pathology Program at the University of Ohio Extension. Because of fall fertilization, grass has higher carbohydrate levels than grass that is not fertilized. Carbohydrates are stored energy. In the spring, the grass is able to use its carbohydrates for growing and photosynthesize faster than grass that hasn't been fertilized. Winter stress can be reduced by the larger amount of carbohydrates in the grass; therefore, the grass can green up faster in the spring.

Less Weeds

• Gardeners experience less cool season and warm season weed problems in the winter and spring. The reason is that grass is actively competing with weeds, rather than simply going dormant. Because of increased root growth, weeds are unable to spread throughout the yard. The additional nutrients given to the grass allows the turf to compete with weeds and prevent their ability to take the soil's nutrients. Fall fertilizing does not eliminate all weeds. There is almost at least a few that are able to germinate despite the grass's strong root system.

Fungal Disease

• It has been argued that fungal disease would be more prevalent in grass fertilized in the fall and winter. However, there has been little to support these claims. Moreover, late fertilizing helps grass remain strong and healthy. Healthy grass with a reserve of carbohydrates is less likely to succumb to fungal diseases, according to Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension. Disease can infect grass that has been over fertilized in the fall. Using more than 2 lb. of slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet can cause stress to grass, which raises the risk of the turf contracting a disease.