What kind of winterizer fertilizer did you apply at Thanksgiving and how much did you apply? Traditional thinking of the winterizer fertilizer was to supply more potassium and slightly less nitrogen. The thinking was that the potassium was required to help the root systems.

More recent research has shown that a late fall high nitrogen fertilizer actually does a better job of helping the grass stay green longer and to green up faster in the spring. If you apply nitrogen at a rate of 1 lb of actual N per 1000 sq ft of lawn after the grass has stopped growing but while it is still green, the grass puts all its effort into producing better root systems. Some people have had their lawns stay green through the entire winter, and others have seen their lawns stay green longer and green up faster in the spring.

One key to this approach is that if you use organic fertilizers (or any slow release fertilizers) you need to use fertilizers that don't require microbial activity to make the nitrogen available to the grass.

Very good question. You may get wide variation in responses. So hereÂs my opinion, based on otherÂs opinion that I have read here and a little experience with a lawn. Late Autumn fertilizer application is a good thing. It allows the root system to grow and store energy for use the following growing season. In some grasses it may provide for some lasting green color through winter dormancy. In your case, I would not fertilize in early Spring. Just use the Halts without fertilizer. Your lawn should green up when it needs to, without excessive top-growth, which causes other problems and the necessity to mow quite frequently. That said, I doubt that a March application of Turfbuilder would hurt your lawn. It just doesnÂt need it then. Since you have been a member here for more than a couple years, I am sure you already know the importance of good cultural practices to maintain the best looking lawn possible. Bill Hill

...and my $.02: in my area it's recommended to use a complete (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio for a mid-Sept, Nov and a mid-Feb application, that's twice in the fall and once in late winter. It might be different for your area, but I would check it with your experts there.

Thanks for the responses. Any suggestions on whom I should ask about an effective program for my area?

Thanks

I had some trouble (Fusarium blight) last year with applying Nitorgen too early. I've read since then, that too early of fertilizer (while grass is still dormant) can promote certain lawn disease. I don't know if I would have gotten it anyway, nor how true what I've read is, but I'm going to apply Halts without fertilizer and wait until the grass comes out of dormancy to apply any nitrogen.

On a related note, I fertilized in early November and I've noticed that I've had more Pink Snow Mold this year than in this past. Some say that is related to late Fall nitrogen applications as well.

Bottom line, I'm wary about dumping nitrogen on dormant grass.

I agree that you shouldn't put nitrogen on a dormant lawn.

If you're fertilizing in the fall after the grass is dormant, you're fertilizing too late. When they recommend late fall, they mean after the top growth has stopped (so you're not encouraging a spurt of top growth) but while the grass is still green (so it is still photosynthesizing).

You should never fertilize dormant grass. Nitrogen is pretty transient. It gets used right away, or most of it washes away and pollutes the groundwater.

Like I said macfisto, your area may be different and possibly cooler than mine, but the link below is what I go by. You can check UK or your local agricultural extension service (college or county) for help. Many folks want to help, but the recommendations you get may not be suitable for your area, so get what you need from where you're at.

Here is a link that might be useful: NCSU link

You really can't hurt a dormant lawn with fertilizer. If the grass is dormant, guess what's going to happen...? It's not going to absorb the nutrients, that's all. And if you get some warm days in between during the winter months, it will green up.

I'm down in Zone 7b (Raleigh, NC), my front lawn is an Elite Kentucky Bluegrass. It got fertilized back in 12-01-07, then 2 months later (02-01-08) it got fertilized again with 30-3-4 plus 2% iron (Scotts LawnPro). As a result, I have the darkest green grass in my neighborhood at the moment. It will be fertilized again in 04-01-08 with Crabgrass Pre-emergent, then 06-01-08 again with a summer formula (26-3-14 with iron) Nearly all Fescue lawn in my neighborhood are dormant because of lack of fertilizer. Most look like dormant zoysia (mostly yellow and little green)I'll be posting some pictures later.

Anyway, don't be afraid to apply fertilizer to your lawn, it's not going to hurt it.

I work at a local Golf Course and know a thing or two about turfgrass.

Cheers,

Auteck

I have learned about a product called Green Light Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension. Does anyone have any experience with this product and know if itÂs effective?

Thanks