Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer: Is This Treatment Needed for North Mississippi Lawns?
Just because the temperatures tend to be colder in winter doesn’t mean there’s not something you can do to better care for your North Mississippi lawn.
However, many things you might learn online about caring for grass or fall lawn fertilization might not be specific enough for your warm-season lawn.
In Tupelo, MS, where warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are prevalent, understanding the specific needs of these lawns is critical. Applying the wrong type of fertilizer or applying it at the wrong time can lead to suboptimal results or even harm your lawn.
Jump to Section
- Do's and Don’ts of Winter Lawn Care Applications in North Mississippi
- Does My North Mississippi Lawn Need Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer?
- When Is It Best For North Mississippi Lawns To Get a Final Seasonal Lawn Care Application?
- Does the Lawn Care Season in North Mississippi Technically End?
- What Other Fall Lawn Applications Are Important?
- Why is Annual Lawn Care Essential for Warm-Season Grasses?
- What Other Things Can a North Mississippi Homeowner Do to Prepare Their Lawn For Winter?
Let’s talk about fertilizer for Mississippi lawns, lawn winterizer, and general lawn care in North Mississippi, so you can better care for the beloved green space outside your home.
Do's and Don’ts of Winter Lawn Care Applications in North Mississippi
You may see a lot of information about winter lawn care applications for your grass.
But there is a difference in what kind of winter applications matter, whether you’re talking about cool-season or warm-season grasses.
Here we’ll answer common questions and address winterizer lawn fertilizer concerns that often come up in Tupelo, MS.
Does My North Mississippi Lawn Need Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer?
The question of whether North Mississippi lawns need lawn winterizer comes up a lot.
Cool-season lawns in northern states, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, generally receive a winterizer lawn fertilizer application in late fall to help them store nutrients, withstand cold weather, and prepare for spring growth.
This is applied before the ground freezes in September or early October. It contains more potassium than other fertilizers, supporting root growth and helping plants weather the cold. But it also includes some nitrogen.
In Tupelo, MS, our warm-season lawns, such as Bermuda Grass, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, go dormant in the winter and typically don’t require winterizer lawn fertilizer.
However, they do benefit from a different intentional application of fertilizer for winter. Fertilizers with higher potassium can be very beneficial.
When Is It Best For North Mississippi Lawns To Get a Final Seasonal Lawn Care Application?
Ideally, applying fertilizers with higher potash in August through October to warm-season grasses in the Tupelo, MS area is best.
Earlier in that window, nitrogen can be included; after September 15, it should be omitted from applications. This is because we don’t want to encourage growth as cooler, colder weather approaches.
Applications of a fertilizer containing only potash can be made practically year-round as part of lawn care in North Mississippi.
Does the Lawn Care Season in North Mississippi Technically End?
Technically, lawn care in North Mississippi really has no end. Lawn & Pest Solutions offers 12 months of treatments here.
We usually wrap up in mid-December and start back up — weather permitting — after January 1.
What Other Fall Lawn Applications Are Important?
Weed control is a key part of fall and winter lawn care. Applying pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weeds in fall and winter, rather than working against already emerged weeds in spring, is a much better way to take care of your lawn.
It can be invaluable against tough weeds like annual bluegrass (Poa annua). It also saves you from running the risk of damaging tender grass blades with more aggressive applications.
Lawn & Pest Solutions has established a fall rotation before the season winds down that tends to work best for lawn care in North Mississippi.
This consists of a rotation of what we do in our final two applications of the year. Some years, the final application is lime to help improve the lawn soil’s pH levels, and other years, it's a preemergent herbicide to help us effectively battle poa annua weeds.
Why is Annual Lawn Care Essential for Warm-Season Grasses?
Warm-season grasses are always doing something throughout the year.
They are actively growing in April and May, thriving through October. Then their root systems remain active the rest of the time.
Lawn pests and diseases that can negatively impact your grass can remain active 9 months out of the year in North Mississippi, doing damage that can go undetected. This is why having a trained professional inspect your grass and provide lawn care in North Mississippi annually can help you avoid major issues.
This is a lot of work to handle year-round, so professional lawn care services can make a huge difference. If you were DIY-ing your lawn care, you’d have to time your lawn care applications precisely to the seasons and issues, as well as pay attention to specific weeds, pests, and diseases and when to apply preemergent herbicides, as well as other troubleshooting tactics.
You’d also have to monitor your lawn outside to identify issues regularly. This can put a damper on your summer vacation plans.
A professional lawn care company like Lawn & Pest Solutions will show up to your home a specific number of times per year, and each visit includes one or more applications, depending on the time of year, your lawn’s particular issues, and the level of service you signed up to receive.
When you hire a professional for lawn care in North Mississippi, you don’t have to worry about anything. A qualified and experienced lawn care technician will handle the timing, proper application, and correct identification of issues, all while calibrating their equipment and bringing high-quality products to the scene. This way, you can enjoy your lawn and worry less, knowing everything is taken care of.
Being mindful of your lawn year-round makes a considerable difference in spring and summer, when you spend the most time outdoors.
What Other Things Can North Mississippi Homeowners Do to Prepare Their Lawns For Winter?
Warm-season grasses prefer lower cutting heights, ideally 1 inch to 2.5 inches during the growing season.
However, as fall approaches, the cutting height can be raised by an inch. There’s nothing wrong with ending the season at 3 to 4 inches. This is like a lovely blanket for the lawn’s root system in the fall and winter months.
Another tip for lawn care in North Mississippi: Be sure to remove or mulch fallen leaves. Allowing leaves to build up over the winter can lead to poor health and sometimes disease in your grass.
Don’t Leave Out Winter Lawn Care Applications in North Mississippi
In North Mississippi, winter lawn care applications are worthwhile for addressing common lawn problems and keeping your grass in optimal health. On top of this, it makes your lawn look better and takes a lot of stress off your shoulders.
But it can be hard to understand whether it’s worth hiring a lawn care company as you look for solutions at this time of the year. And it can be nearly impossible to comprehend lawn winterizers when it comes to what warm-season grasses need compared to cool-season grasses.
If you’re still trying to understand the benefits of lawn care in winter and all year, call Lawn & Pest Solutions. We’d love to come and assess your lawn, share our expert insight into what it needs, and explain why you can benefit from professional lawn care services tailored to your location and unique needs.
Want to learn more about the fantastic curb appeal boost a great lawn can get you in North Mississippi? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice. Then you can sit back and enjoy your lawn.
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