Fall is now well underway with winter fast approaching.  The courses are just about ready for the long winter months, the question remains is your lawn?  If you still have bare spots to repair it is too late to seed and almost too late to sod.  Germination rates are very low this time of year and seedling survival over the winter is very minimal.  It will be best to finish up these touch-ups next spring when temperatures are more favorable.
It will also soon be time for the last mow of the season.  If you have been diligent with your mowing practices lowering your height of cut by ¼” for the last mow is a healthy practice.  You do not want to scalp the turf so if you are already cutting at less than 3” do not lower the height as it will be plenty short. 

Just before ground frost starts to set in and the turf has stopped growing (become dormant) it is a great time to apply a dormant fertilizer.  You want time for the fertilizer to break down into the soil but not taken up by the plant.  You want the nutrients to be available in the spring for quick green up.  A good dormant fertilizer will contain a methelene urea or a sulfur coated urea as the Nitrogen source.  The application rate should be one pound of Nitrogen per thousand square feet.  The analysis of the fertilizer should also contain only Nitrogen such as a 25-0-0 for example. 

Also remember to clean up all the leaves as prolonged cover by snow or leaves will increase winter damage from disease.  Any barrier that protects landscape plants and your lawn from road salt damage is a good plan.  In conclusion keep your lawn well manicured, clean from debris, apply the dormant fertilizer and retreat to your home for some hot chocolate

Matt Wentzell
Assistant Superintendant

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