September is Crucial for Fertilizing All Cool-Season Turfs – Turfgrass Science at Purdue University

September is Crucial for Fertilizing All Cool-Season Turfs

With the returning rains in the state, now is the most important time to fertilize cool-season turfgrasses like creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall or fine fescue. September fertilization is crucial on all turf areas regardless if it is a lawn, athletic field, or golf course green, tee or fairway. Fertilization in mid-September encourages the production of new tillers and/or rhizomes and stolons that will increase turf density. Fertilization in September also encourages rooting and production of storage products that will help the plant survive the stresses of winter and next year’s growing season. This is especially true for areas thinned by this summer’s severe drought. Fertilization in September also encourages rooting and production of storage products that will help the plant survive the stresses of winter and next year’s growing season. Almost all turf areas should now be fertilized with 1 lb N/1000 sq ft using a fertilizer with 25-50% of the nitrogen as slow release (sulfur or polymer-coated urea, urea formaldehyde, or natural organics). Some of our recent research suggests higher N rates can be used with fertilizers containing even more slow release nitrogen, which may minimize the need for typical late October or November applications (the N in this Sep application may release over 6-8 weeks or more). This would be very useful on low maintenance areas where labor is limiting. More fertilizer information is available in AY-22: Fertilizing Homelawns at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/pubs/ay-22.pdf


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