Winterizing Your Southern Lawn
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Collapse ▲You hear a lot about “winterizing”, whether it be your mower, irrigation system, or your grass. There is also a lot of confusion about winterizing. Why? Well, it is because Wilson is in a transition growing zone. We can grow both cool and warm-season types of grass. We have a lot of new residents who may be more familiar with a cool season grass and we have a lot of commercials, newsletters, and internet websites geared more toward the cool season lawn.
An example of a cool season lawn is tall fescue. Tall fescue nationally is the most grown turf type grass. But in Wilson County, we have a higher percentage of warm-season grasses. Most homeowners have either Bermuda or centipede although a few grow Zoysia and St. Augustine.
Do you need to winterize your lawn? If you soil test every three years and apply the correct amount of lime and fertilizer at the optimal times, probably not. But an application of potassium (the third number on a fertilizer bag, 0-0-20) is helpful in root growth during the dormant period on warm season lawns.
Cool season lawns aren’t winterized since they are actively growing and therefore if you follow N.C. Cooperative Extension’s recommendation you will be fertilizing in November and February.
If you have a warm-season lawn then you want to remember to winterize your lawn mower. Once top growth has ceased, the mower should be winterized. Disconnect the spark plug before beginning work on the mower. Drain out all the gasoline and oil. Replace the old oil with fresh oil. Remove and clean the air filter. Replace it if necessary. Remove and sharpen the mowing blades before storing them for winter. A dull blade works the mower a lot harder and produces a less satisfactory cut. While under the mowing deck, scrape out all accumulated grassy build-up. Also, inspect the wheels on the mower. Replace worn wheels to ensure a level cut next spring.
All other power tools such as leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and weed eaters should be cleaned of plant material and dirt. Replace any worn spark plugs, oil all necessary parts, and sharpen or replace worn cutting surfaces.
Hand tools also need cleaning before winter storage. To remove built-up soil, place them in warm water with a little dishwashing detergent. The soak in detergent water helps remove soil clumps from metal parts. In the future, remember to clean metal surfaces after each use with steel wool to prevent soil buildup and rust development. If sticky plant resins coat the metal, wipe the surface with paint thinner. After the tools have been cleaned and dried, sharpen cutting edges and oil all metal surfaces to prevent rust.
Drain all garden hoses and sprinklers. Replace worn washers if necessary. If you have an in-ground irrigation system, turn off the water source and use compressed air to blow all water out of the lines to prevent damage by freezing over winter.
Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers can answer more questions on winterizing or any other garden-related topic. They can be reached by calling 252-237-0113.