By Trimly
How to prepare an Upstate SC lawn for winter
Start winter prep by identifying your grass. Bermuda slows down and turns brown as it becomes dormant. Tall fescue grows in cooler weather and needs a different fall plan.
Bermuda: ease out of the growing season
Reduce mowing as growth slows. Keep leaves from forming a thick layer, and avoid driving or walking on frosted turf. Do not push late growth with fall nitrogen.
Use a soil test before choosing a winter fertilizer. Potassium is useful when the soil needs it; a bag marked “winterizer” is not a reason to apply it. Clemson advises correcting a potassium shortage before cold weather arrives. A fertilizer such as 5-0-30 also contains nitrogen, so check the full analysis.
Fescue: plan for fall growth
Fall is an important feeding and establishment period for tall fescue. Do not delay all feeding until February. Match your September and, where needed, November plan to Clemson's fescue calendar and your soil test.
Keep mowing while it grows. If you plan to seed, check weed-control products before applying them: some prevent desirable grass seed from establishing too. See our pre-emergent guide.
Check water and leaves
Reduce irrigation when demand falls, but check soil moisture during dry weather. Dormant grass can still dry out. Remove heavy leaf cover before it mats down. Do not mow saturated or frosted ground just to keep a calendar appointment.
Arrange winter mower storage
Trimly provides winter storage for leasing and mower maintenance plans. Contact Trimly to arrange it and confirm the timing for your plan. Keep the mower out of freezing charging conditions and follow its model-specific manual while waiting for storage.
Read the winter mower storage guide for the handoff checklist. Current mowing plans and separate lawn-care services are on our pricing page.