The impact of fertilizer on dormant grass is largely dependent on the type of fertilizer and its concentration. Generally, applying a low- or slow-release fertilizer when grass is dormant can help with root development, nutrient uptake, and overall health of the lawn when it is actively growing.
Applying too much fertilizer, or using a slow-release fertilizer that is too concentrated, however, can burn dormant grass, leading to brown patches and potentially stunted growth. For this reason, it is important to carefully read and follow the directions on the fertilizer to ensure the proper amount is applied.
Other fertilizer products, such as pre-emergent herbicides, should not be used when grass is dormant as they can damage or kill the grass, delay or prevent its emergence, and even prevent new seed germination.
What to do when your grass goes dormant?
When your grass goes dormant, there are several things you can do to help get it back to its lush, green self. First, adjust your watering practices. Make sure you are watering your lawn deeply and infrequently.
Water deeply enough for the water to travel 6-8 inches into the soil, which will encourage deeper root growth. Secondly, aerate your lawn. Core aeration loosens compacted soil which can improve air and water movement, increasing uptake of essential nutrients and promoting deeper root growth.
Third, fertilize your lawn. During dormancy, lawns stop using fertilizer and can stay relatively green, so it is essential to apply a winterizing fertilizer around the end of October. Lastly, mow your lawn.
It is important to mow when the grass is dry and to mow at the recommended height for your variety of grass. Keeping the grass a bit longer prevents stress to the grass, which can help it stay healthy.
These tips can help your grass come back to life and remain healthy throughout the year.
What months is grass dormant?
Grass typically enters dormancy during the colder months of the year, typically in late fall and winter. Dormancy begins when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures during the day never exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
During dormancy, grass will typically turn a yellowish or brownish color. As temperatures continue to cool, grass may become more dormant, with only the toughest varieties still exhibiting some green.
The exact months of grass dormancy will vary based on the region and type of grass along with weather conditions, but typically grass will be dormant between November and March.
How long does it take to revive dormant grass?
Reviving dormant grass can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the existing soil and grass health conditions, the time of year, and the amount of effort you are able to put into it.
The key to reviving dormant grass is having a proper plan of action and following a few key steps.
First, prepare the soil for growth by testing it for pH balance and nutrients. Soil that is overly acidic or alkaline can hinder successful grass growth. Once you determine the pH balance is appropriate, you can introduce a top dressing of soil amendment which can help with moisture retention and improve the overall health of the soil.
Next, aerate the soil with a core aerator which helps to create air pockets and improve drainage. This will help provide these essential elements for healthy grass growth and help your lawn to revive faster.
Once you have the proper soil conditions, you can choose the best grass for your area and seed it. Make sure to spread the seed evenly and keep the soil moist until the grass germinates. Depending on temperatures during the time of planting, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Finally, once the grass has germinated, you may need to water the area to maintain a necessary level of moisture. New grass will also need proper fertilizing and care to help ensure a healthy, long-term result.
Regular mowing, weeding and edging can also help to promote a healthy lawn in the long-term. Following these steps can help to revive dormant grass and can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Does dormant grass need to be watered?
The answer to whether dormant grass needs to be watered depends on the type of grass, the climate, and the age of the grass. In general, newly-seeded grass should not be watered if it is dormant, since overwatering can cause it to rot.
However, if the grass has been established and is an older lawn, it should be watered if it is dormant. Dormant grass can become stressed during long periods of drought, which can cause it to die if it does not get water.
Even though it is dormant, watering it regularly can help it stay healthy and alive, so that it is ready to green up again once there is rain or temperatures rise. Additionally, since dormant grass does not actively use water, it should be watered in short, infrequent bursts, since it will be more efficient and can prevent runoff.
How long to water a dormant lawn?
It is best to wait until the lawn begins to green before you start watering it. This will usually occur in late spring or early summer when the weather becomes warmer and the days get longer. If you water a dormant lawn before it has begun to green, the water will simply run off and much of the water will be wasted.
Once the lawn greens and actively begins growing, you should water it enough to keep a few inches of soil moist. As soon as you see the soil is dry (about 1 inch down) then it’s time to water again. This should be done on a regular basis until the weather cools and the lawn goes dormant again.
If you water the dormant lawn, you should do so very sparingly and just enough to keep the grass alive. Typically, this requires about ½ inch of water per week. Make sure that the water penetrates at least 1 inch deep into the root zone.
Wetting the surface of the lawn is not enough and will not be as beneficial.
Will dormant grass turn green again?
Yes, dormant grass will turn green again. Dormant grass occurs when grass growth is negatively impacted by stress from too much or too little water, lack of nutrients, or cold temperatures. To return the grass to a healthy, green state, it is essential to identify and address the underlying cause of the dormancy.
With the right care and attention, dormant grass will eventually turn green again.
To revive dormant grass, first, check the soil to determine if the grass has enough nutrients, has proper drainage, and isn’t too compacted. If the soil needs to be amended, it’s helpful to add a fertilizer designed to be used on grass, such as an all-in-one nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) blend.
Second, adjust the amount of water the grass receives. Grass needs to be watered deeply but infrequently. Aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either through hand-watering or irrigation.
Third, if needed, dethatch the grass with a rake or a vertical mower to ensure that air and sunlight can reach the soil and encourage the regrowth of green blades.
Finally, with all of the changes in place, be patient as the grass adjusts and recovers. Depending on the conditions and time of year, dormant grass should green up within a few weeks or months.
Is it OK to fertilize lawn in winter?
The simple answer is: no, it is generally not recommended to fertilize a lawn in winter.
Fertilizing your lawn in the winter is not very beneficial and can potentially do more harm than good in some cases. Winter is the season when the grass goes dormant and it’s natural food sources in the soil become depleted.
That’s why it’s important to use the right fertilizer at the right time of year to help the grass replenish its natural food sources for the spring. Applying fertilizer during the winter months can interfere with the grass’s natural processes, resulting in an environment that’s not conducive for healthy growth.
The grass won’t be able to fully absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer and could be subject to different types of chemical and environmental damage.
It’s best to begin fertilizing a lawn as soon as possible in the spring, once the grass has started to become active. Fertilizer should be applied at least twice a year and more depending on the climate and the type of grass in the lawn.
To ensure a healthy, lush lawn all season, do research on the best fertilizer options for your lawn and apply the product at the right time of year to maximize its benefits.
What happens if you fertilize grass in winter?
Fertilizing grass in winter can actually do more harm than good because the grass isn’t actively growing during the winter months. Fertilizing during the winter when the grass isn’t actively growing, can cause fertilizer burn, resulting in brown patches of grass and even dead grass.
Additionally, applying fertilizer during the winter months can encourage excessive growth which puts the grass at a heightened risk of winterkill, due to a lack of nutrients. A better option is to wait until late winter or early spring when the grass begins to show signs of growth and start to green up before fertilizing.
Why you should not fertilize in winter?
Fertilizing in the winter months is generally not recommended due to the cooler temperatures and potential for the applied fertilizer to be washed away by spring rains. Cooler temperatures can mean that the applied fertilizer won’t be as effective, and can also lead to root damage due to the excessive nitrogen contained in most commercial fertilizers.
Additionally, winter rains can cause the applied fertilizer to be quickly washed away, which can leave behind a concentrated area of salts, minerals and other unwanted elements. Over time, this can cause soil compaction and water runoff problems in the surrounding areas.
Lastly, many plants go dormant in the winter and the added fertilizer won’t be beneficial for these plants during their dormant periods. For these reasons, it is best to wait until late winter or early spring to apply fertilizer, so that the soil is warm enough for the fertilizer to be absorbed, and the applied fertilizer won’t be washed away.
Is December too late to fertilize lawn?
No, December is not too late to fertilize your lawn. Though the growing season is winding down and your grass is not actively growing, applying fertilizer will help prepare your lawn for the upcoming winter.
Late-season fertilization helps your lawn recover from the summer stresses, keeps root nutrients stored in the soil, and helps your grass enter the winter in a healthier state than it would have otherwise.
Practically, late season fertilization helps increase the likelihood that your lawn will survive the extreme winter temperature changes. Additionally, fertilizing your lawn in late December releases food for beneficial soil organisms that will help your lawn survive in the winter and rebound quickly in spring.
That said, it’s important to use a fertilizer specifically designed for the winter season. This type of fertilizer will be lower in nitrogen, the nutrient that promotes leaf growth, and higher in phosphorus and potassium, the nutrients your grass needs to survive.
As always, be sure to follow the instructions for recommended application rate, and be sure to water it in well.
Should I fertilize in December?
The answer to this question is highly dependent on the type of lawn you have and the climate you live in. Generally speaking, it is not recommended to fertilize lawns in cold winter months. In most climates, December is the beginning of winter and is a period of dormancy for lawns; traditional fertilizers can upset the delicate balance of the beneficial soil organisms that usually slow or even stop their growth during this period.
If you live in an area with mild winters and/or actively growing grasses (such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Zoysia), then you may be able to lightly fertilize your lawn in December. However, keep in mind that the ideal time for fertilizer application is typically during the spring and late summer months.
Is it OK to fertilize before a freeze?
Yes, it is OK to fertilize before a freeze. Fertilizing your plants before a freeze helps improve the health of the plants’ root system, which can help them withstand colder temperatures. This is especially true for perennials that are established and will return the following growing season.
Young, recently planted, or tender perennials and biennials should not be fertilized before a freeze, as they may not yet have sufficient root growth to protect them against extreme temperatures. Additionally, if a freeze is expected to last up to seven days, it is wise to delay the application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as the soil would remain cold and wet, resulting in a delayed release of nitrogen.
How late can you put down winter fertilizer?
You can put down winter fertilizer relatively close to the end of winter, but it’s always best to apply it earlier in the season to give your lawn and plants the greatest advantage. Generally speaking, it’s best to put down winter fertilizer in late autumn or early winter, as soon as the temperature begins to dip.
This will give your soil and plants time to settle in and store up nutrients in preparation for the cold winter months. Fertilizers should also be applied around the same time as other winter maintenance tasks like aerating and dethatching, as well as raking up leaves to prevent fungus.
Applying fertilizer too late can be damaging to your lawn as it can kill off beneficial organisms and promote disease, as well as leave your grass lacking nutrients. The best time to apply winter fertilizer is a few weeks before the coldest temperatures of winter arrive in order to make sure your lawn is ready when the cold hits.
Can you fertilize your lawn in January?
Yes, you can fertilize your lawn in January. Depending on the type of grass on your lawn, the best time to fertilize would be during the active growing season, which begins in mid-spring and ends in mid-fall.
However, if your lawn has a winter active grass type, such as tall fescue, then fertilizing during the winter months is also acceptable. Ultimately, the timing of your fertilizer application depends on the type of grass you have growing on your lawn.
When deciding what fertilizer to use, always remember to choose a fertilizer that is organic and specifically designed for your type of grass. This will ensure that you adequately nourish the lawn with the right nutrients, without doing accidental damage.
Additionally, avoid using too much fertilizer as it can burn the grass, or result in other harmful effects.
Lastly, January fertilizer applications should be made if the weather is appropriate. If the weather is too cold, then the fertilizer will not have any effect as the grass roots won’t yet be growing.
Therefore, if the temperatures are colder than average, then it is best to wait until later in the winter, or until the grass is actively growing in the spring.