Winterizing Your Lawn: Essential Tips and Products

As the cooler months begin in the panhandle, it’s crucial to prepare your lawn for winter. Proper winterization ensures that your grass remains healthy through the dormant season and springs back strong when the warmer weather returns. Here’s a guide to winterizing your lawn using some of the best products we have available for Southern grasses, including Fertilome Winterizer & Weed Preventer II, Dimension for pre-emergent weeds, and Fertilome Weed Free Zone for post-emergent weeds.

Strengthen Your Grass with Fertilome Winterizer & Weed Preventer II

For Southern grasses like St. Augustine, Centipede, and Zoysia, winterization begins with feeding your lawn the nutrients it needs to endure the cold months. Fertilome Winterizer & Weed Preventer II is specifically designed for Southern lawns and is Esposito’s favorite. It helps build strong roots, which is key for keeping your grass healthy during its dormancy. The blend not only strengthens your lawn but also includes a weed preventer that works throughout the winter to keep pesky weeds from taking over.

Tackle Weeds Early with Dimension (Pre-Emergent)

Pre-emergent weed control is essential to stop weeds before they start. Dimension is a highly effective pre-emergent herbicide that works on a wide range of annual grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds. Ralph recommends applying it in the late fall, before the soil cools down completely, to prevent common winter and early spring weeds from sprouting. This product works well in Tallahassee’s climate, providing a barrier against weeds like crabgrass, annual bluegrass, and chickweed that often invade lawns during the cooler months.

Address Existing Weeds with Fertilome Weed Free Zone (Post-Emergent)

If weeds have already made their way into your lawn, don’t worry—you can still fight them off with a post-emergent herbicide. Fertilome Weed Free Zone is perfect for eliminating a variety of broadleaf weeds, even in cooler temperatures. This product works quickly to rid your lawn of troublesome weeds like dandelions, clover, and henbit. It’s safe for use on most Southern grasses and is an excellent way to ensure your lawn stays weed-free all winter long.

Consider Graco/Esposito’s Own 5-0-20 Winterizer

In addition to Fertilome Winterizer, we also offer Graco/Esposito’s Own 5-0-20 Winterizer, a custom blend by Ralph sourced locally. While Fertilome Winterizer contains Dimension, some customers prefer the straight fertilizer approach of the 5-0-20. You can also use Dimension alongside the 5-0-20 Winterizer if you prefer a combined effect. Both options are excellent depending on your lawn care preference.

Important Application Tips:

• Water It In: Whether using Fertilome Winterizer, Dimension, or the 5-0-20 Winterizer, it’s important to water them in after application for 5-10 minutes with a sprinkler. Avoid applying the products before rain to control the amount of water and avoid overwatering. A heavy downpour can wash away the product, wasting time and money.
• Chemical Safety: You can apply Fertilome Winterizer and Dimension along with Fertilome Weed Free Zone without any chemical interactions. The Winterizer and Dimension can also be used in flower beds, around shrubs, and trees to help keep weeds down in those areas. Do NOT use Weed Free Zone in flower beds.
• Proper Fertilization: We strongly recommend aerating your lawn before applying fertilizer. Aeration helps reduce soil compaction, allowing the fertilizer to penetrate deeper and making it more effective.

Additional Tips for Winter Lawn Care

• Mowing: Continue to mow your lawn until the grass goes dormant. Keep your grass at a moderate height to avoid stress.
• Watering: Reduce watering as the weather cools, but make sure your lawn still receives enough moisture during dry periods.
• Aeration: Fall is an ideal time to aerate your lawn, helping to reduce compaction and promote healthy root growth.

At Esposito’s, we highly recommend these specialized products and following these tips. Your lawn will not only survive the winter but also thrive when spring arrives. Preparing your lawn with these products will help ensure a lush, weed-free lawn year-round.