STOP Paying $200 for Winterizing — Do It Yourself for $18, by Silver Harvest Living on YouTube. 16 min 40 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 40 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Confirm your grass is cool-season, such as fescue, bluegrass or ryegrass. Do not winterise warm-season grasses like Bermuda or zoysia with this program.
Push a soil thermometer about 2 inches into the soil and check it in the afternoon. Wait until the soil temperature drops to around 50°F, not just a date on the calendar.
Skip phosphorus unless a soil test shows it is low. Many areas restrict phosphorus in lawn fertiliser, so check your local rules first.
Buy plain urea (46-0-0) from a local farm co-op or feed store rather than a branded winterizer. Add potash only if your soil test asks for it.
Work out the rate at about 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. For 46-0-0 urea that is roughly 2 lb of product per 1,000 sq ft.
Set your spreader to the correct setting and apply the urea in two passes at right angles. This overlap helps you avoid stripes and missed patches.
Water the lawn lightly after applying so the granules dissolve and do not burn the blades.
Tips and common mistakes
Applying too much nitrogen at once can burn the lawn, so measure your lawn area and stick to the rate.
Do not fertilise while the grass is still growing fast in warm weather, or you may push soft growth that winter kills.
Keep urea off driveways and sidewalks and sweep up spills, since it stains and washes into drains.
Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dust when handling urea.
Questions
Can I use this on Bermuda or zoysia grass?
No. Those are warm-season grasses and this late-fall nitrogen program is meant for cool-season lawns. Using it on warm-season grass can cause problems.
Do I really need a soil thermometer?
It helps a lot. Soil temperature near 50°F tells you the grass has slowed down but roots are still active, which is the right window for winterising.
Is cheap urea as good as a branded winterizer?
The main nutrient in most winterizers is nitrogen, and urea supplies that cheaply. A branded bag may add other nutrients, so a soil test tells you what your lawn actually needs.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
