Fertilizing, Weed and Insect Control

Let’s start with the numbers. Each bag (or bottle) of fertilizer will have three numbers on it representing the blend of the major ingredients in the fertilizer. These three ingredients are Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium Chloride (Potash).

Each ingredient serves a specific purpose and will be needed in varying amounts depending on the time of year. For the fall it is best to apply a fertilizer that is high in Phosphorous and Potash to encourage root growth rather than top growth throughout the winter months. This fertilizer application will also help the turf transition out of dormancy faster in the spring.

For weed control it is best to apply a pre emergent between September 1 st and October 31st unless you use a pre emergent that also has a post emergent blended with it. If you are using a pre and post emergent blend you can perform the application anytime between October 1 st and November 15th.

If you are not able to apply a pre emergent by mid November then it is best to wait until your turf is dormant and apply a cool season post emergent. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and remember that most products require at least two applications to be fully effective.

Dormant oil is applied between December and late January to control chewing and sucking insects on plant material. An example of these insects is scale, which looks very much like small white paint drops on the leaves of plants like Burford Holly. Follow the instructions on the label for this application and you can eliminate the “paint” problem. It is important to note that this application should not be performed once the plant is putting on new growth.

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