October Fertilizing & Grass Seed

Fall Lawn Care

• Though you may think that the advent of fall color means you can forget about lawn care, the fall offers an opportunity to prepare your lawn for the following spring's growth. Continue mowing until the grass stops growing, generally in November, according to Iowa State University horticulturalist Richard Jauron. Raking the fallen leaves prevents smothering of the grass plants. A fall application of herbicide avoids damaging nearby garden plants and eliminates weeds that continue to grow in the fall. October removal of thatch from warm-season grasses will help new growth the following spring. Though you may think that the advent of fall color means you can forget about lawn care, the fall offers an opportunity to prepare your lawn for the following spring's growth. Continue mowing until the grass stops growing, generally in November, according to Iowa State University horticulturalist Richard Jauron. Raking the fallen leaves prevents smothering of the grass plants. A fall application of herbicide avoids damaging nearby garden plants and eliminates weeds that continue to grow in the fall. October removal of thatch from warm-season grasses will help new growth the following spring.

Fall Fertilization

• Even when the grass stops growing the roots continue to absorb nutrients, so fertilizing lawns in October will help grass plants store food over the winter. Nitrogen is critical to the early greening of lawns. Phosphorus helps with root development during the winter months. Potassium assists with food and moisture transfer in the root systems and throughout the grass plants.

Fall Seeding in Warm Climates

• Many of the warm season grasses used in southern areas of the United States turn tan or brown when cooler temperatures arrive. Many homeowners overseed these grasses with cool season grass to provide some color over the winter months. Cold season grass, often ryegrass or fescue, dies out in the spring when the warm season grass revives. Timing is important to overseeding. In North Florida, overseed between October to early November. In Central Florida, overseed in October to early December. In South Florida, lawns do not go dormant, so overseeding is unnecessary, according to University of Florida horticulturists L. E. Trenholm and J. Bryan Unruh. In Texas, overseed Bermuda zoysia grass in mid-October with fast-germinating ryegrass to keep winter lawns green during warm season turf's dormant season. North Carolina uses tall fescue grass for fall overseeding.

Fall Seeding in Cold Climates

• Overseeding lawns before the winter months can provide a good start for better lawn growth in the following growing season. Autumn sees fewer weed seeds that compete with new grass plants for nutrients. In many areas, rainfall is abundant in fall, helping to establish the new grass without frequent irrigation. Northern regions offer special challenges, however. If you cannot get the new grass seeding done by Oct. 15 to Oct. 30, it's best to wait until the spring, according to the Ohio State University site. Grass seeds sown in November or later will be dormant until the spring thaw, and many may be damaged by repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles.