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For the past two Saturdays, on the GardenLine radio program, I have highlighted the importance of getting started on the "winterization" program for the lawns. But one of the points I have really tried to emphasize is how one should stock up on next year's winterizer treatments as well.
With the price of petroleum products so high, and thus the cost of transportation going up too, you can be certain that bags of fertilizer will be going up next year. Right now, the price of the fertilizer/winterizer bags is the same as it was prior to the major price increases. And since most bags of fertilizer have a shelf-life of 1-1 ½ years, you can stock up on your winterizer fertilizers for next year as well.
If you're fortunate enough to find a garden center, nursery, feed store etc. that still has bags of the approved (slow release 3-1-2/4-1-2 ratios) fertilizers, you can even stock up for next spring and summer fertilizations. However, I wouldn't advise stocking up past next year's winterizer because of the limited shelf-life of bags of fertilizer.
During this so-called "winterization" time of the year, many people have asked about what order the three treatments should go down. On one hand, it really doesn't matter. One the other hand, if you wanted to trust the turfgrass researchers and fertilizer experts, the proper order is 1.Fungicide 2. Winterizer Fertilizer 3.Pre-emergent Herbicide. If for any reason you are new to GardenLine or for that matter have never heard about the Fertilization Schedule, which lists all the winterizer treatments, please click here.
I understand, and believe in that order above. The reason I say the "order" doesn't matter, is because some people are so busy that they have to do all three treatments on the same day or within a couple of days of each other. I also say that it doesn't matter, simply because I don't want you to get so lazy with regard to the schedule that you forget to get the treatments down at all. Personally, I believe you should follow the order above and spread them out over two weeks. Thus, if I did the fungicide treatment today (which you should do, if you haven't already) then I would do the winterizer fertilizer next week, and then the pre-emergent herbicide in two weeks.
But, don't put this process off much longer. Because, hypothetically speaking, it is paramount to have your pre-emergent herbicide down by the first of November. That means we have the next two weeks as the perfect "two-weeks" to follow the winterization treatment.
 In case you have not ordered your copy of it yet, here's the link for ordering my new book "Gulf Coast Gardening with Randy Lemmon."
http://www.lulu.com/content/142186
If you are a garden retailer interested in stocking this book, please call the Nitro Phos Warehouse for wholesale ordering information. 713-228-1868.
Until next issue, here's to
Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard
exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon
on Talkradio 950 KPRC.
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