1. Maintain your mowing height at 2 inches with a frequency of at least once per week.  A good rule of thumb is to never take off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mowing.  Leave the clippings in the turf—it’s a good source of nutrients.
2. Maintain adequate soil moisture by irrigating deep (6 to 8 inches) and infrequent.  You should always check the soil moisture prior to irrigation with a soil probe or screwdriver.  After you irrigate, check the moisture again to see just how deep the moisture penetrated.
3. Fertilize your lawn with 0.75 to 1.0 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in early November with a quick-release fertilizer.  Apply the total amount of fertilizer needed in two directions to ensure even distribution.  Irrigate your lawn immediately after you fertilize.  CAUTION:  Do not apply fertilizer to your lawn when the leaves are wet (dew, rain, irrigation, etc.).
4. If you have had a real problem with winter weeds in the past, apply a second application of pre-emergent herbicides in mid to late November to kill late-germinating annual grassy and broadleaf weeds.  Read the labels carefully so as not to cause injury to your turfgrass and surrounding trees and shrubs.
5. If you choose not to use pre-emergent herbicides and you start seeing winter weeds establish, begin applications of post-emergent herbicides on these annual weeds when they are immature and actively growing.  Annual winter weeds will germinate from seed each year.  Always read the labels on the herbicides carefully.  Be careful when applying herbicides around trees and shrubs as well.
6. Core aerify your lawn in November.  This is an excellent cultural practice that helps alleviate stress to your lawn from thatch accumulation (spongy lawn) and soil compaction.  It will also improve water infiltration/percolation deep into the soil profile which, in turn, promotes a deeper root system.

1. Maintain your mowing height at 2.0 inches.  A good rule of thumb is to never take off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mowing.  Leave the clippings in the turf—it’s a good source of nutrients.
2. Maintain adequate soil moisture by irrigating deep (6 to 8 inches) and infrequent.  You should always check the soil moisture prior to irrigation with a soil probe or screwdriver.  After you irrigate, check the moisture again to see just how deep the moisture penetrated.
3. If you have had a real problem with winter weeds in the past, apply a second application of pre-emergent herbicides in mid November to kill late-germinating annual grassy and broadleaf weeds.  Read the labels carefully so as not to cause injury to your turfgrass and surrounding trees and shrubs.
4. If you choose not to use pre-emergent herbicides and you start seeing winter weeds establish, begin applications of post-emergent herbicides on these annual weeds when they are immature and actively growing.  Annual winter weeds will germinate from seed each year.  Always read the labels on the herbicides carefully.  Be careful when applying herbicides around trees and shrubs as well.

1. Maintain your mowing height at 2.0 inches.  A good rule of thumb is to never take off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mowing.  Leave the clippings in the turf—it’s a good source of nutrients.
2. Maintain adequate soil moisture by irrigating deep (6 to 8 inches) and infrequent.  You should always check the soil moisture prior to irrigation with a soil probe or screwdriver.  After you irrigate, check the moisture again to see just how deep the moisture penetrated.
3. If you have had a real problem with winter weeds in the past, apply a second application of pre-emergent herbicides in mid November to kill late-germinating annual grassy and broadleaf weeds.  Read the labels carefully so as not to cause injury to your turfgrass and surrounding trees and shrubs.
4. If you choose not to use pre-emergent herbicides and you start seeing winter weeds establish, begin applications of post-emergent herbicides on these annual weeds when they are immature and actively growing.  Annual winter weeds will germinate from seed each year.  Always read the labels on the herbicides carefully.  Be careful when applying herbicides around trees and shrubs as well.