Prepare Your Lawn for Winter!

Winter Kill in a Centipede Lawn

Though winter is still months away, now is the time to start preparing your lawn for cold weather. Cold weather damage, known as winter kill, is a common problem in our area and shows up as large dead areas in spring. This is often caused more by our fluctuating winter temperatures than by extreme cold. When temperatures go up in winter, grasses like centipede are tempted to start growing too early. When winter warm spells are followed by sudden cold temperatures, winter kill is the result.

Many lawns throughout southeastern NC are in poor shape thanks to the extreme cold our area experienced last winter followed by this summer’s severe drought. There are a couple of things you can do now to help your lawn recover and make it through this winter in good health. Two of the most important fall lawn chores are applying a potassium fertilizer and raising your mowing height by 1/2". 


Learn more! Read the whole article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+146

Learn much more about turf care, download Lawn Maintenance Calendars, find out about current problems, and sign up to receive Turf Alert! emails from NCSU’s Turf Files website, http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu.
 
If you have questions about lawn care contact your local Cooperative Extension Office. In Pender County call 259-1235, visit our office at 801 S. Walker Street in Burgaw (office hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm), or post your questions online using our ‘Ask an Expert’ widget available at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert.