You could say that fall is the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” season for fertilizing cool-season turfgrass.
In early fall, it’s best to apply a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen to help turf recover from summer.
In late fall, however, the ideal fertilizer has a high ratio of quick-release nitrogen. These are often called “winterizer” fertilizers, and for two good reasons.
Reason One: It’s High-Nitrogen
High-nitrogen fertilizers are ideal for late fall applications because they stimulate root growth rather than shoot growth. You don’t want to encourage shoot growth when the plant is “hardening off” for winter.
Applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer in late fall to encourage root growth will support nutrient and carbohydrate storage. Come spring, you should see an earlier green-up.
Reason Two: It’s Quick-Release
Quick-release fertilizers work well in late fall, as nutrient uptake is limited at this time of year. As temperatures decrease, the air can’t absorb as much water, and evapotranspiration rates decrease. This means plants can’t take up nutrients as easily, so quick-release is the best choice for late fall nitrogen applications.
What Next?
Late fall applications of high-nitrogen, quick-release fertilizer help cool-season turfgrass endure the winter and start back healthy and green in the spring.
The precise timing of these applications depends on your specific location. Connect with your ATS representative to find the right products and figure out the best time to apply.
