How Do You Know How Often To Fertilize Lawns
There are several important factors that come into play when youre trying to understand lawn fertilization frequency. These include:
- Lawn fertilizer application times
- The type of fertilizer you use
- How you apply your fertilizer
- How frequently you water your lawn
Ill discuss each of these points in some detail below.
Fertilizer Is Lawn Food
Besides water and sunshine, lawns need food to survive and thrive. By adding fertilizer to the soil, you provide your lawn with three rich elements:
- Potassium : This makes your grasses stronger so they can resist diseases and drought.
- Nitrogen : This boosts the production of chlorophyll, which promotes healthy leaf growth.
- Phosphorous : This helps your turfgrass develop healthy stems and roots.
Mulch Your Grass Clippings
If youre tired of bagging grass while you mow, weve got good news. To help your lawn stay greener year-round, you can leave the grass clippings on your lawn. When grass clippings break down, they provide your lawn with beneficial nutrients. While you dont need to buy a new mower blade, it doesnt hurt to install a mulching blade so that the grass is cut into smaller pieces. Learn more about recycling grass clippings here.
You May Like: Best Lawn Chair Ever
Should I Fertilize In The Morning Or In The Evening
The best time to use pesticides or fertilizers is in the evening or early in the morning until 8 a.m. Both strokes are perfect because the sun is not working during that amount of time. This is the same phenomenon as above. Plants absorb liquid fertilizer or pesticide applied early in the morning better.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizer is a convenient and helpful tool that is beneficial to homeowners and their lawns. It helps speed up the growth process while keeping your grass healthy, making things easier for you. However, it can do more harm than good if not used properly. Knowing how often you should fertilize can prevent you from overdoing or under-doing it and ending up with poor results and prolonging the process. Chorbie is here to help you fertilize effectively, making your lawn beautiful.
Recommended Reading: Ace Hardware Push Mowers
Which Fertilizer Is Best For Your Lawn
The fertilizer category mainly consists of two things organic and inorganic fertilizer. The other thing you will hear about will be slow-release and quick-release fertilizer. Now lets take a deep look into these categories:
- Organic These types of fertilizers consist of natural ingredients made from plants and animal waste, which provide nutrients and essential components to the soil. These fertilizers are environmentally friendly and sustainable for the lawn. This fertilizer promotes the growth of microbes and fungi which releases nutrients slowly to the soil.
These fertilizers give the soil strength to fight harmful insects and pathogens and it also helps the grass to access nutrients from the soil.
- Inorganic Inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are fertilizers that are made artificially in factories with the help of chemicals and other processes. These fertilizers give a boost to your grass by releasing the nutrients very quickly.
The downside to inorganic fertilizer is that it can harm the environment by leaching, in which the fertilizers are washed away by rain or irrigation below the level of roots.
The other con of synthetic fertilizer is that if you rely too much on this fertilizer then it makes your grass dependent on the fertilizer itself and cant survive without it.
How Often To Apply Starter Fertilizer On New Grass
When do you reapply your starter fertilizer after the sod is installed and the grass starts growing in? You dont!
Seriously. This is one of the most important things to remember: starter fertilizer should only be used before a new lawn is installed.
Why? Because it can actually damage your lawn if you use it later.
Remember the baby analogy from earlier? Well, after your lawn is installed, its no longer a baby, so you need to switch to more appropriate food.
In other words, the next time you fertilize you need to use regular fertilizer that is appropriate for the makeup of your soil and the size of your fertilization area.
Read Also: Lawn Mowing Simulator Demo
Can You Fertilize Your Lawn Too Much
Its very easy to fertilize your lawn too much. Fertilizing your lawn with too much fertilizer in one application or not allowing enough time between applications, leads to three problems.
As long as you follow the instructions found on the packaging of the fertilizer, the three problems above can be easily avoided.
Determining The Type And Amount Of Fertilizer For Your New Grass
Since the fertilizer you choose should be based on soil makeup and growth area, start by learning those two things.
Measure the square footage of the new grass youre trying to grow in order to determine how much fertilizer you need to purchase. Then get a soil test done to learn which nutrients are present in your soil and which ones youre lacking.
Having a soil test done may sound complicated, scary, expensive or all three, but its actually really easy. In most areas, there are a number of options available to you. Texas A& M even allows you to send in soil samples and get results back!
Once you know the makeup of your soil, you can determine which fertilizer ratio is best for your lawn. Many homeowners discover that their lawns already contain enough phosphorous and potassium and opt for nitrogen-only fertilizer.
If you do use phosphorous, be careful. Phosphorous levels can easily build up too much in soil, resulting in runoff that ends up in surface waters. This is bad for the environment because it can harm fish habitats and increase algal blooms.
Some homeowners are also looking for advice on choosing an eco-friendly fertilizer for your lawn. As more options become available, organic fertilizers have grown in popularity as individuals are working to find a balance between growing and maintaining a healthy lawn and minimizing the use of chemical products on their property.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Grass Gnats
When Should I Fertilize Lawn In Spring
Fertilising in spring If the weather in your locality is a still quite cool, fertilising in early spring is best done with some liquid fertiliser, such as Seasol, which is a seaweed-based natural fertiliser that can be applied all year round. This will give the lawn a kickstart after the dormant winter months.
Fertilizers Provide Essential Nutrients In Soil
Ever seen a lush lawn thats the envy of the neighborhood? It all comes down to high soil quality. To get a healthy lawn you need very fertile soil.
Unfortunately, your soil cant maintain all the essential nutrients it needs to stay fertile year after year. It will naturally lose many of these nutrients over time.
And thats where fertilizers come in. They help to replace the lost soil nutrients so you can get a great-looking lawn all year round.
Recommended Reading: Does Turf Builder Work
When To Fertilize New Sod
Anyone who has just laid down new sod will be standing back, looking at the results, and wondering how soon they need to be adding fertilizer. After all, if youre adding sod to your garden, the chances are that you want quick results. Caring for your sod properly will soon turn it into beautiful turf to be proud of.
So, if youre wondering when to fertilize new sod, the answer is that you can do so very shortly after installation, but there isnt really any benefit to fertilize straight away: it is much better to wait four to six weeks before applying fertilizer. This also depends on your geographical location and the season in which you lay the sod.
Recommended Reading: When To Put Weed Killer On Lawn
How Often Can You Apply Scotts Summerguard
How often can you apply Scotts SummerGuard? Between June and August, use Scotts® Turf Builder® with SummerGuard to provide nutrients to help protect against heat and drought damage, as well as ingredients for insect control. In southern regions with longer growing seasons, two applications are recommended.
Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks? Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks? To avoid over-fertilizing, it is not recommended to apply fertilizer every two weeks. Fertilizing as often as every two weeks will likely cause problems such as lawn burn, excessive grass growth, as well as polluted water that can lead to the growth of toxic algae.
How often can you apply Scotts Turf Builder? Do not worry. Scotts has the right product to meet all your lawn fertilizer needs. All Scotts® Turf Builder® Granular Fertilizers feed for up to 2 months, and each application should be spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
How often can you apply Scotts? Timing: Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, just before winter sets in, 6-8 weeks after summer feeding. Apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program Fall product now if you have been following this regimen.
Recommended Reading: Best Time To Apply Turf Builder
Start Going Over The Lawn
Go over the perimeters of your turf to cover everything. Then, move the spreader along in orderly rows across the turf. The rows can overlap slightly to make sure everything gets covered.
If you use a drop spreader, close the hopper at the end of each pass so you dont dump fertilizer at the edges of your lawn.
Most Lawns Only Need Fertilizer Once Or Twice A Year
What’s Inside:
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. We only include brands we use and trust. See the full disclosure in the privacy policy.
With some exceptions, your lawn likely only needs to be fertilized one to three times per year. If thats a surprising number, you might have confused fertilizer with plant food. Its a common misconception, especially among those who are new to lawn care.
You May Like: How Does Trugreen Work
Know Your Fertilizer Type Of Soil And Lawn
Knowing the type of soil and lawn you have is key to knowing when and what fertilizer to use. If the type of lawn you have is affected in the summer or winter months, it is best to have a plan for proper fertilization previously discussed with specialists. At Lawnovations, we can help you with the fertilization process as we know it can be complicated and you can accidentally mistreat your lawn.
Having a fertilization plan depending on your lawn type and season is vital to maintaining a proper appearance on your lawn. You must know your lawn but if you dont, you better consult with an expert to have the best solution and build a fertilization plan suitable to your lawn type.
Following these simple tips will keep your lawn at the peak of beauty, health, and performance. Contact Lawnovations for more information about our fertilization services in Tulsa!
How Often Can You Fertilize Your Lawn
Having a healthy, beautiful green lawn is something that all homeowners wish for. But thats not an easy task, and it takes dedication with care and maintenance to finally have such a dream lawn. You also have to understand the proper fertilizing routine since fertilizers give additional nutrients to keep your lawn healthy and green.
However, it can be harmful and a waste of money if you are not well aware of the fertilizing process basics. Knowing how often can you fertilize your lawn will let you prevent any overdoing or underdoing.
Thats why I have decided to give you a hassle-free precise guideline so that you can easily take the best care of your lawn.
Recommended Reading: How To Mow Lines In Your Yard
Use The Right Spreader
When applying lawn fertilizers, always use a lawn spreader. Never spread product by hand! A broadcast spreader with a side-shield feature like the EdgeGuard® feature is great for most lawns. This makes application along the lawns perimeter easy by shutting off half the spreader flow, so product is only applied on the lawn and not on non-lawn areas like the driveway, sidewalk, or landscaping. A drop spreader is another option for small spaces because the application area is much narrower. Learn more about which spreader is right your yard .
Fill the spreader hopper with your lawn fertilizer, then set the spreader to the recommended setting listed on the product package. If the product package does not provide a spreader setting, it is not intended for lawn use.
How To Apply Fertilizer To Your Lawn
Lawn fertilizers are sold in either liquid or granulated form.
This is mostly important in determining how to spread the fertilizer. With organic fertilizers, the difference comes down to what the fertilizer is comprised of. Corn grain meal based fertilizers are typically granular, while fish emulsions are liquid.
Synthetic fertilizers are available in both forms.
Speaking generally, most homeowners find granular fertilizers easier to apply.
If you want to use a liquid fertilizer, it is simpler to hire a professional service like TruGreen or a local alternative to do so.
Its more difficult to measure out and ensure even application of a liquid fertilizer. Professional services do that regularly and understand how to apply it.
Using a spreader to apply granular fertilizer is a simple process. A small broadcast spreader can be bought locally or for under $40.
Using a spreader is easy fill the hopper up on pavement, then walk the spreader across your yard.
Start with the perimeter, using an edge-guard to keep the material in your grass. Then go line by line until your yard is covered.
Spread it at a lower than recommended rate at first. This way youre sure not to add too much and damage your yard .
Make sure to sweep any granules off the pavement and into your yard. Left on pavement, they can harm the environment if allowed to wash into storm drains.
Recommended Reading: Aaron’s Riding Mowers
Should You Cut Grass Before Fertilizing In Spring
When fertilizing a lawn, it is best to apply fertilizer after the lawn has been mowed so it has a few days to absorb the fertilizer. Wait until late summer, fall or early spring to fertilize the lawn. These are the optimal times to apply fertilizer. Mow the lawn and leave a small bit of grass clippings on the lawn.
Can I Apply Fertilizer To Wet Grass
Standard Fertilizer Watering
Also, while standard fertilizers can be applied to dry or wet grass and can be watered in immediately, fertilizers with weedkiller generally do not need to be watered in for 24 hours after application. The best way to water the fertilizer is to do it naturally, with rain.
Read Also: Homemade Rabbit Repellent For Lawn
The Best Time Of Day To Fertilize
After youve determined the best time of year in which to fertilize your grass, there are several other considerations youll need to take into account.
Generally, the best time to fertilize your lawn is after a thorough watering or a hard rain if you are using a granular fertilizer.
Youll need to consult your local weather forecast to make sure that you wont be laying down fertilizer right before a big rain storm. Even a small amount of rain can cause the nutrients in the fertilizer to wash away before the grass has a chance to absorb and use them.
If you are using a liquid fertilizer, you generally dont need to water it in since you will already mixing it with water when you are applying it.
If you are going to use a sprayer to apply liquid fertilizer, its a good idea to do it in the morning when the wind is usually calmer to avoid over spray.
I generally prefer slow-release organic fertilizers such as Milorganite or Ringer since they are virtually dummy proof meaning its nearly impossible to burn your lawn with them.
I also like the smell and the color of the lawn after putting them down.
What About The Vegetable Garden
Vegetable gardens do need a little extra love!
Vegetable gardens, especially if youre growing all year round, take a lot out of the soil. And whats taken out needs replacing.
Ideally, practicing no-dig or lasagna gardening and regularly adding layers of mulch and compost to your garden should maintain optimal soil health and you shouldnt need to add fertilizer.
However, if youre starting out and your soil health isnt where it needs to be yet, then organic fertilizer will give your vegetable garden a much-needed boost until its healthy enough to survive happily with regular mulching.
Furthermore, summer fruiting crops like tomatoes are heavy feeders. If you want to maximize fruit yields then giving your summer crops a feed is a good idea.
Vegetable garden fertilizer recommendations should be focused on high-quality, organic ingredients like animal manure, seaweed, blood, and bones.
Remember to protect yourself with gardening gloves and a mask when fertilizing. Organic compost can contain live organisms and pose risks for diseases such as legionnaires.
Also Check: What Kind Of Oil Do I Use In My Lawn Mower
