FAQ's // My TurfCare - Login

Winter Advisory! How Winterkill Affects Cool & Warm Season Turf

February 5, 2018

Winter Advisory! How Winterkill Affects Cool & Warm Season Turf

February 5, 2018
Predicting winterkill is a difficult task because there are a variety of ways it can cause damage to turf grass. No matter the region, winterkill has the ability to attack both cool and warm season grass! Although winterkill can affect both cool and warm season grasses, damage may not be the same. Throughout this article, turf managers will learn what to expect if winterkill happens in regions where as well as what they can do to help cultivate turf that can sustain the harsh conditions of cooler weather.

WHAT IS WINTERKILL?
Winterkill is an all-inclusive term that is used to describe the various causes of turf loss over the cool winter months. Winterkill can happen due to a combination of factors including: low temperature kill, ice sheets, desiccation, crown hydration, and snow mold.
low temperature tolerance of cool season grasses

WINTERKILL ON COOL SEASON GRASSES

Many factors contribute to winterkill in cool season grasses, some of which are beyond one’s control. Conversely, poor turf management practices can also lead to winterkill. For the most  part, cool season grasses are well adapted to low temperatures (more so than warm season grasses) but are still susceptible to winterkill. Five common ways cool season turf grass can sustain winterkill injury or death are:

  1. Low Temperature Kill (freeze/ thaw damage)
  2. Ice Sheets
  3. Desiccation
  4. Crown hydration
  5. Disease
HOW TO AVOID WINTERKILL ON COOL SEASON GRASSES
Identifying the ground conditions that make cool season turf more susceptible to winterkill can greatly assist in prevention. Ground conditions that are more likely to lead to winterkill are identified here and should be managed, monitored and maintained throughout the lawn care season: 
  • Areas that receive heavy traffic throughout winter
  • Close mowed turf
  • Exposed areas prone to desiccation
  • Grass species known to be more susceptible to snow mold (i.e. annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass)
  • Immature seedlings that weren’t fully established in late fall (annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are especially susceptible)
  • Low spots with poor drainage
  • Shaded turf grass
  • Turf covered with ice sheets for 45 days or longer
  • Turf grass with an inadequate lawn care routine – malnourished, unbalanced pH, poorly mowed and under watered
WINTERKILL ON WARM SEASON GRASSES
Although warm season grasses are typically less exposed to extreme winter temperatures, they can still fall victim to the effects of winterkill. There are many factors that contribute to winterkill on warm season grasses, some of which are beyond our control (exp. weather conditions). Others can be avoided with proper turf management techniques. Some of the most common ways warm season turf grasses sustain winterkill injury are:
  1. Low Temperature Spikes
  2. Unseasonably warm temperatures followed by quick freezing temperatures (freeze/thaw cycle) in late winter-early spring.
  3. Sustained low temperatures
  4. Disease like snow mold or spring dead spot
  5. Turf grass with an inadequate lawn care routine – malnourished, unbalanced pH, poorly mowed and under watered
HOW TO AVOID WINTERKILL ON WARM SEASON GRASSES
Just as with cool season turf, identifying the ground conditions that make warm season turf more susceptible to winterkill can greatly assist in prevention. Ground conditions that are more likely to lead to winterkill are identified here and should be managed, monitored and maintained throughout the lawn care season:
  • North facing slopes
  • Poorly drained areas
  • Heavily thatched turf
  • Heavily shaded areas
  • Areas planted with poorly adapted cultivars or turf grass species
  • Areas with deficient levels of Potassium(K)
  • Areas that receive heavy traffic throughout winter
  • Areas lacking snow cover to insulate soil during low temperatures
PRO TIP: It’s not uncommon for older cultivars (a plant variety selected for a certain area) of Bermuda grass to be more susceptible to winterkill.

WINTERKILL PREVENTION FOR BOTH COOL AND WARM SEASON GRASS SPECIES
Whether you have warm season or cool season grass, foreseeing winterkill damage due to environmental changes is unpredictable prior to entering the winter months. Fortunately, there are still preventative actions you can take. To prevent winterkill you need to maintain a healthy, dense turf with a strong root system. This can be achieved with a regular lawn care routine including the application of fertilizers and soil amendments, proper mowing, and adequate watering. Additionally, aeration and thatch management will help. It is also beneficial to take the necessary steps to “winterize” your turf so that it can survive harsh winter conditions and get a healthy start in spring.
References:
https://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/columns/turf-health/protect-turfgrass-winter-damage/
https://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/maintenance/winter-weather-forecasting-field-management/
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/cool-season
http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2014/03/cool-season-turf-winterkill-potential.html
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2016/pdf/09%20preparing_managing_warm_season_grasses_during_the_offseason%202%20col.pdf
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/winterkill-of-turfgrass
http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2014/03/warm-season-turf-winterkill-2014-what.html
https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/lawns/snow-molds-in-lawns/
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1012
http://purdueturftips.blogspot.com/2014/03/warm-season-turf-winterkill-2014-what.html
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1012

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

Turf Care and Beaty Fertilizer Unite for Growth, Innovation, and Increased Value to Customers

April 18, 2025
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”

Grub Management: Understanding Life Cycles and Optimal Treatment Timing

April 18, 2025
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.

Platte River Equity - Press Release: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
Show More