Training for Fall Fertilization

There are a few things LCOs should keep in mind to ensure an effective fall fertilizer application. One is to make sure their crews are well-trained, says Russell Stout, owner of Vienna, Va.-based Complete Lawn Service, adding that all of his applicators are certified landscape technicians (CLTs). Another is to make sure spreaders and sprayers are properly calibrated to ensure an even application.  

Timing is also very important when offering fall fertilization services, Stout says. For Virginia’s cool-season lawns, Stout’s crews complete the first fall visit sometime between early September and mid-October. The second fall visit occurs soon after – from mid-October to the end of November. If applied when the weather is too hot and dry, fertilizer can burn turf, causing more harm than good. If applied when the weather is too cold, the product will just sit on top of a dormant lawn and not take affect.

“The weather conditions definitely play a role, but timing is critical for a good application so we don’t want to miss these windows,” Stout says.
 
The fertilizing regimen for warm-season grasses differs greatly from that for cool-season, Stout says. Most fertilization of warm-season lawns takes place in late spring and early summer when the grasses grow most actively and need the extra nutrients. However, for southern areas that fertilize year round, fall fertilization can create lush growth that is more subject to cold temperature injury, says Ray Buckwalter senior marketing manager, Lebanon Turf, Bloomsbury, N.J. Products used on warm-season turf should contain more potassium than nitrogen to help improve the turf’s hardiness to cold, he adds. 
 
Along with the fall season come fallen leaves, which is another factor LCOs need to consider before performing fertilizer applications.

“You don’t want to apply fertilizer over a heavy cover of leaves,” Stout says. If the grass cannot be seen for the leaves, Stout says its best to reschedule the visit. As a full-service company, many of Stout’s customers utilize Complete Lawn Services for both their lawn care and maintenance needs, so he likes to coordinate mowing and fertilization jobs to avoid any problems. 
 
Stout also advises not applying fertilizer in the rain so the product won’t wash away. Wet fertilizer also has the tendency to clog spreaders, he adds. Another service Stout finds clients appreciate is using blowers to clean up any stray fertilizer from sidewalks and driveways. Not only does this keep properties looking tidy, but also prevents fertilizer run-off into sewers and water sources, he says.
 
Another way to get the most out of a fall fertilization program is to perform soil tests for damaged or unbalanced lawns. Stout often offers this as a seventh step to his fertilization program. Soil tests determine PH and nutrient levels and can help LCOs determine or prevent problems.

“There are times when we see a client’s lawn that has certain nutrients out of balance,” he says. “Soil tests determine the problem so we can treat it with corrective applications of potassium, lyme, or whatever nutrient the lawn might need.”
 
Lawn care operators and manufactures agree that fall fertilization can have major effects on turf quality, and the stored energy and nutrients will be important come spring. “It’s actually pretty neat because fertilized turf will green up and warm up before everyone else’s,” says Bill Vogel, owner of Spring Valley, Jackson, Wis. “It’s like getting a jumpstart on the coming year.”