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Get Your Lawn Ready For Winter (Part 2)

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Getting Your Lawn Ready For Winter Part 2

Southern Areas

Spring Dead Spot - In a recently released article from NCSU Turf Files, it is the time to treat for Spring Dead Spot on Bermuda and Zoysia grass.  The disease is currently active, infecting these turf grasses right now, but the results do not become apparent until next spring.  The disease infects the root systems of the plants, so it is important to immediately and thoroughly water in the disease control fungicide.  There are numerous fungicides labeled to control Spring Dead Spot.  NCSU has a list of fungicides labeled for Spring Dead Spot control. If you are unsure of which one to use, contact a professional lawn care company for assistance.  Large Patch/Brown Patch - Large Patch, which was called Brown Patch in the past, is actively infecting St. Augustine and centipede grasses as soil temperatures begin to drop into the 70 degree mark.  The symptoms may not become evident until air temperatures drop.  The damage appears in circular patches that begin about 2 to 3 feet in diameter, but can grow together or grow in size to 10 feet or more in diameter.  The outer edges of the damaged areas have reddish to brown borders.  If your lawn has had this problem in the past, a fungicide will help to reduce the development of the disease. 

Northern Areas

Mowing - In the past, lawn mowing recommendations were to mow short in the fall.  This is really not necessary.  You don’t want your lawn to go into the winter period at 4 or more inches high, but you don’t need to scalp it either.  The last mowing should be between 2 to 2½ inches high.  Leaving the grass too long in the fall can result in matted patches of grass in the spring that take more time to green-up in the spring, especially if the snow cover is deep. Watering - Many parts of the country are experiencing drought or drought like conditions this year.  If your area has been very dry this year, be sure to water your lawn before the onset of winter.  Turf can continue to lose water, even I the winter, on sunny days before the soil becomes frozen.  Turf grasses will desiccate or dry out without water.  Ideally, watering should be sufficient to wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches.  This may require leaving a sprinkler in one position for up to an hour.