Question
I live in a suburb of Toronto.  The builder of my new house laid the sod 3 weeks ago. (I don't know for sure, but perhaps it is a blend of Kentucky Bluegrass?). I have read that I should apply fertilizer after 6 weeks.  But, what kind of fertilizer?  Given the time of year (late September), should I use Winter Care, i.e. lots of slow release nitrogen? Or, should I use Starter fertilizer, i.e. lots of phosphorus?  If I apply Starter fertilizer, should I apply Winter Care afterward, e.g., before the 1st frost?  
By the way, I think I did a pretty good job of watering, but some patches on the edges are brown.  I suspect that the soil underneath is not very good.  Should I apply topdressing and/or overseed these patches before applying fertilizer?  Or, is there a better way to address my "patches problem"?
Thank you for any advice you may have.

Answer
Hi Blair,

Always good to hear from a fellow Canuck!  I was actually born in Toronto, though I've spent most of my life in the U.S.A.  With currency exchanges doing what they're doing, I'm not sure if that'll last though. :-)

A "Winter Care" fertilizer would be good.  I'd advise against starter fertilizer though.  The high phosphorus is good for seed germination and for contributing to excessive algae in ponds.  Since only one of those 2 is good and you don't need that, there's no point in using it.  In fact, many municipalities are banning the use of high phosphorus fertilizers, Canada leading the charge.

Topdressing is a great idea.  It's normal for some spots to not take when new sod is done.  No job or result is ever perfect.  the topdressing should help the grass to fill in those brown areas.  It also has the added benefit of preventing excessive thatch buildup.

Good luck Blair!  Do me a favor and enjoy a Nanaimo bar for me, will you?  We don't get them down here.

-C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com