By late winter in Naples, your lawn has gone through the stress of short days and cooler temperatures. This semi- dormant period is an excellent time to get ahead of the curve in regards to turf nutrition. It is important to have nutritionals in the soil when the grass is ready to grow in the spring. Properly fertilized grass will also be able to compete better with any weeds in the turf. A fertilizer with a 1-0-1 ratio or 2-0-1 will provide adequate nitrogen as well as potassium to stimulate root growth. Fertilizers are required to have 50% slow release fertilizer in the blend in many areas of Naples. Check with city/state guidelines before starting any fertilizer program.
Weeds are also an issue in early spring Naples lawn care. Many fertilizers have an added granular herbicide incorporated into the blend designed to kill any newly emerging weeds.These fertilizers are called “weed and feed”. Atrazine is the most common herbicide that is used in the fertilizer blend. It is relatively inexpensive and it is an effective one, two, punch to give the lawn a head start. It is important to apply atrazine products early in the spring. When the soil temperature increases in late spring, atrazine can burn the grass. Be sure to read label rates for proper application.
Excess leaf debris is often a lawn care problem in February. Oaks, mahogany, cypress, and many other trees shed their leaves this time of year. Too much leaf litter can choke out your lawn. In addition to much leaf litter composted in the soil can change the chemistry of the soil and affect the ph of the soil, hindering the lawns ability to absorb some nutrients. If possible take time to rake or blow these leaves out of the lawn to maximize the lawns’ health.
