Getting a Warm-Season Lawn Ready for Winter

Getting your warm-season Bermuda or zoysia lawn ready for winter will help it come back strong in the spring. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says to look for any problems in late summer and work on fixing them before the grass goes dormant for the winter. Fall is not the time to apply nitrogen fertilizer. The nitrogen will encourage the grass to produce more green tissue which will be killed in a freeze. Applying phosphorus and potassium in the fall is good if you are following a soil test recommendation. Do not de-thatch your warm-season lawn in the fall, that should be done in the spring. Putting down a pre-emerge will help prevent winter weeds. Pre-emerge needs to be applied and watered in several weeks before the target weeds germinate (end of September in Memphis, TN). You should cut the grass at the same height as you do during the summer. This will protect the roots during the winter. Remember even though the grass may look dead the roots are still alive, and they need water during dry spells.

September 22, 2018

Related Resources:
Fertilization & Management of Home Lawns
Home Lawns
Fall Lawn Care