Fertilizing Your Lawn Cool-season grasses such as ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass should be fertilized in September, October, or November. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, Bahia, centipede, St. Augustine, and Zoysia should be fertilized in July, August, or September. Take care not to over-fertilize centipede. Always follow label directions carefully. Specially formulated winterizing fertilizers are higher in potassium than regular lawn food.
Potassium is the nutrient that makes grasses more winter hardy.
Winterizers should be applied as the last fertilizer application of the growing season. There is no need to water your warm-season lawn during the winter as most grasses go into dormancy. Before putting the warm-season lawn to bed for the winter, lower the mower to an inch below normal setting and use a grass catcher attachment. This will pick up any weed seeds in the lawn and the closer cut will allow for better air circulation. To This how-to is provided as a service of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse .