Do Not Overlook Winterizer
by Michael Oppitz - November 2006
Michael Oppitz is a turf manager at Ryan Lawn & Tree. He can be reached at (913) 381-1505.To winterize or not to winterize—that is a good question. Many homeowners may choose not to winterize their cool season lawns (fescue, bluegrass or even ryegrass) because they will not see the results of their efforts until the following spring. Perhaps they applied a winterizer before, but the results did not warrant doing it again. (There is a possibility that there was not enough winterizer applied initially, causing the less-than-desirable results.) So, why all the hype about winterizer?
The winter fertilizer application uses more product than any other lawn treatment of the year. Since it is applied in November or December, while the lawn is dormant, the grass can safely handle the extra fertilizer without any ill effects, such as burning. Since the fertilizer dissolves very quickly with the next rain or snow, the roots absorb and store the nutrients. This is the difference.
Because the roots store the fertilizer all winter, they become healthier and more abundant. The lawn will green up quicker with warmer temperatures in the spring and a richer, greener color is encouraged. The lawn itself will become naturally thicker. Another benefit is increased disease tolerance.
Applying a winterizer really sets the tone for the entire year. Without it, your lawn will play catch-up all season long.
So, what kind of fertilizer should you use and how much?
You want to use the highest nitrogen, quick release fertilizer you can find, anywhere from 30 to 46 percent Nitrogen (the higher the better).The higher the Nitrogen content, the less amount of actual fertilizer is needed.
How much should you use? It is necessary to apply 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. (All other lawn treatments applied during the year are done at one-pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet at the most.) For example, to find out how much 30 percent Nitrogen fertilizer to put down, use .30 X 50 pound bag of fertilizer equals 15,000 square feet of coverage at one pound of Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Then, 15 (taken from 15,000 square feet) divided by 1.5 pounds of Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet = 10,000 square feet of coverage. A 50-pound bag of winterizer containing 30 percent Nitrogen will cover between 8,000 and 10,000 square feet at a minimum of 1.5 pounds of Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. You can use this same formula if you are able to find a winterizer with a higher percentage of Nitrogen.
Whether you are on a full lawn program during the year, or a minimum program of just three or four applications, winterizer should be one of them. The lasting benefits of the winterizer will keep your lawn in the green, and the grass will be able to utilize the additional fertilizer applied during the year a lot easier, without having to use up its existing food reserves. Your lawn will be a lot happier and healthier.