The hot dry summer we had this year has caused lots of damage to the grass in our lawns. Very slow grass growth or outright dormancy causing entire lawns to turn brown is visibly apparent across the province. Even with our recent moisture, lawns are looking patchy and weak.
When grass turns brown it can’t produce the sugar it needs to support itself, instead drawing upon its stored resources. This in turn makes for a much weaker turf at the start of the Winter season. Fertilizing in the Fall is an excellent way to assist the grass for a more prolific lawn when it emerges in the Spring.
I like to suggest a higher nitrogen fertilizer that is time released, such as a 19-0-22. The first number, Nitrogen, assists in leaf development and is stored in the crowns of grass, making it readily available as the grass emerges from under the snow. Time released Nitrogen will help support the grass for 14 weeks or more and give a lot of vigour and growth for next year.
The last number, Potassium, is what grass requires for disease resistance. In Winters with heavy snow coverage the underlaying lawn can be attacked by various fungal infections that a good dose of Potassium can help prevent.
Late Fall fertilizer can be applied any time up to two weeks before the ground becomes frozen. Any time after the last cut is ideal. Damp weather and slushy snow will help get the nutrients into the ground so the plants can utilize them, helping create a growing and healthy lawn once Spring arrives. .
Garth Davey
October 2025
Questions? Email Garth at [email protected].