What Fertiliser Should You Use Our Recommendations
When choosing a fertiliser, make sure it is suitable for your lawn variety and the time of year you are applying it to your lawn.
- Liquid Fertilisers contain the active ingredients which push your lawn to its fullest growing potential in the quickest time. As liquid fertiliser is a quick fix and ignites growth and greening-up of your lawn, it needs to be applied more frequently. They are easily applied through your hose or a spray applicator.
- Granular Slow-Release Fertiliser is often better value for money if you are looking for a slow-release feed and growth for your lawn over an entire season . Slow release granular fertiliser is easily applied through a hand or push spreader.
- Traditional Fertiliser are often the cheapest granular fertilisers that cause a quick spike in the growth and greening-up of your lawn.
- Organic Fertiliser is the most natural and environmentally-friendly fertiliser product available. True organic fertilisers are made up of either animal or vegetable matter and contain no artificial or synthetic materials. Application can be through a spreader or by hand depending on what product you purchase.
Knowing when to fertilise your lawn is the key to ensuring your lawn reaps all the benefits of being feed root and leaf growth. The season and type of fertiliser you choose all come into the equation when fertilising as well as environmental factors such as drought.
Does It Matter What Type Of Grass You Have
Yes. Grass is typically separated into two categories: warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. If you have warm-season grass like Bermuda grass then youll want to fertilizer in early spring and again in late summer. If you have cool-season grass like Kentucky blue grass then youll want to fertilize in the fall and again in early summer.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Grass
Typically, you should only need to fertilize your grass an average of two times a year .
However, this all depends on the type of fertilizer you use . So the key here is to decide how often youre able to fertilize and then pick a product based on that. But if youre like the average homeowner, then youll probably want to fertilize as little as possible, which means youll need to choose a long-lasting, slow-release fertilizer.
Pro Tip: A longer lasting fertilizer is typically healthier for your lawn since it requires fewer applications.
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How Often To Fertilize
How often to fertilize depends on whether you go with an organic or synthetic fertilizer. Because they give quick color boosts that dont last very long, youll need to apply synthetic fertilizer much more often.
However, dont go over 4 applications a year. Then youre just spending a lot of time and money making your grass grow crazy fast, meaning you have to mow more often, and more nitrogen leaches into waterways, groundwater, and the surrounding environment.
With organic fertilizers, youll only need to fertilize once, maybe twice, a year for the best effect.
When To Feed The Lawn
During the spring through fall growing season, your lawn will perform best when fed three to four times in spring, summer and fall and this is true for both established lawns and newly seeded lawns..
If you struggle with crabgrass in your lawn year after year, create a better growing environment that enables desirable grass to grow in place of crabgrass. For good results, apply Jonathan Green Green-Up with Crabgrass Preventer in spring. It controls crabgrass before and after it germinates and contains Dimension® Crabgrass Control Herbicide, the newest technology. available. Dimension is clear, odorless, and colorless, and wont stain your hands, walkways, driveways, or the floor of your garage.
If there are always dandelions and broadleaf weeds in your lawn, use Green-Up Weed & Feed in late spring or fall when these weeds are actively growing. It will feed desirable grasses with 35% slow-release nitrogen fertilizer for up to 3 months and also kills weeds down to the root.
Early summer is a great time to feed your lawn organically because the soil is warm and the microbes are active. Apply Jonathan Green Organic Lawn Food because it contains food-grade organic ingredients such as feather meal, bone meal, blood meal, wheat shorts, and molasses.
Find out how often you should fertilize your lawn by visiting Jonathan Green online or contacting your nearest independent retail store for valuable lawn care advice.
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Using A Handheld Broadcast Spreader
A handheld broadcast spreader works well for fertilizing small lawn areas. Walk evenly and slowly, and be sure to overlap distribution patterns slightly with each pass. A small spreader like this also works really well when you have shady areas in your lawn that require a different fertilizer rate than the sunny sections. Some fertilizers combine an herbicide with the lawn food. These products are sold as weed-and-feed lawn care products and are applied using a lawn spreader.
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.
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Fertilizers Help Grass To Grow Faster
In addition to being an essential part of your lawns diet, fertilizers can help your grasses grow a lot faster compared to turfgrass without fertilizers.
When you apply fertilizers to your lawn, they strengthen the roots of your grass. This allows the roots to quickly take in more water.
In addition to healthier roots and stems, your lawn is less likely to have messy mud puddles since the roots absorb water faster.
It also means youll have firm soil. Plus zero bare patches!
When Should I Fertilize My Lawn In Spring And Fall
As well as knowing how often to apply fertilizer, its also key to know when to apply the fertilizer. To answer this question, it is recommended that you should always follow the instructions found on the label of your chosen fertilizer. However, following the general tips below will help you decide when to fertilize the lawn:
- Apply when the grass is actively growing.
- Apply when the soil is damp and the grass is dry.
- Apply when the grass is frost-free.
- Dont mow the lawn 3 days before or after applying the fertilizer.
Applying fertilizer outside of the period stated on the instructions as well as the guide above will run the risk of damaging your lawn so it is important to pay attention to this.
Dont apply fertilizers to your lawn during the winter months as the grass is dormant and will not achieve any better results. Applying fertilizer in the winter will increase the chance of polluting waterways by excessive run-off of the nutrients into nearby streams.
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When And How Often To Fertilize Lawn
Unless youre growing a low-maintenance lawn like buffalo or centipede grass, youll need to fertilize your lawn to keep it growing strong.
There are many crazy specific fertilizer schedules out there, but less is better when it comes to healthy lawns.
The best schedule for you depends on a few key details: your grass type and species, whether you go with organic or synthetic fertilizer, and how much effort you want to put into it.
When To Fertilize Warm
When to fertilize depends on what kind of grass you have. You want to time fertilizing so it occurs just before grass enters its peak growing phase. If you live in southern areas where lawns feature warm-season grasses, fertilize turf in late spring or early summer, just before grass kicks into high gear. Make a second application in late summer. If your warm-season lawn goes dormant in winter, don’t fertilize after the first of September.
Warm season grass types include bahia, Bermuda, St. Augustine, centipede and zoysia. Warm season grasses typically thrive in frost-free areas and grow best at temps of 75 degrees to 90 degrees.
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How Often You Should Apply Fertilizer To Your Lawn
Though fertilizer has its benefits, you dont want to overdo it. A full feeding is recommended at least 5-6 times per year. You want to feed your lawn when its growing most rapidly. However, you should base the frequency on your climate and the type of grass you have. For example, cool season grasses can be fertilized in late spring, but only if necessary.
Warm season grasses, like Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, zoysia, centipede and buffalo grass, should be fertilized in spring. Depending on the amount of water your grass gets, aim to reapply your fertilizer every 6-8 weeks. Keep a watchful eye on your grass. If it looks thick and green, you can probably skip the feeding. If its starting to look brown or black, give your lawn some TLC.
Can I Fertilize My Lawn Every Two Weeks
Applying a fertilizer every two weeks isnt recommended by the professionals. It has drastic effects. That will likely lead to many problems, such as lawn burn, excessive grass growth, and pollution to waterways. There is also a natural way of feeding your lawn every two weeks. It would be to leave the grass clippings on the lawn surface when mowing your grass.
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After Your First Lawn Fertilizer Application
So now you know about the first treatment, but are wondering how often to fertilize lawn areas throughout the rest of the year?
After your first application, you want to apply another round of fertilizer 6 to 8 weeks later and repeat that two more times with 6 to 8 weeks in between.
Try to schedule your applications so you apply ahead of the hottest part of summer to give your lawn the necessary boost.
For an established lawn, youll fertilize 4 times each season, though that is based on some important assumptions. If your grass is damaged and youre growing it fresh, your lawn will require more treatments until its established.
This is also true if your lawn has a species of grass that isnt native to your climate, like in areas that are more hostile to grasses. Alternatively, the opposite is also true. Fertilizing regularly is most necessary when trying to keep alive grasses that arent native to your area.
Its very likely you can get away with only fertilizing 1 to 2 times per year if the grass in your lawn is native. A healthy lawn can get by with fertilizing in the spring, and maybe again In the fall to keep it strong through the off-season.
How Often Should I Fertilize A New Lawn
Dont fertilize a new lawn until the grass is actively growing and you have mowed the lawn at least three times. Then use a fertilizer that will promote strong roots without a surge in grass growth while keeping the lawn weeds at bay.
For U.S. based gardeners, fertilize your lawn with Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer .
U.K. gardeners should use a lawn fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro EverGreen Premium Plus Weed Control Lawn .
These fertilizers will slowly release nutrients into the lawn. You will only need to apply these once every 12 weeks while the lawn becomes established.
Its also worth mentioning that if you apply a crabgrass preemergent fertilizer or a regular weed and feed, ensure that you have waited four weeks before sowing your new grass seed.
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When To Fertilize Warm Season Grasses
Warm season grasses grow best when the temperatures during the growing season average between 80 to 95 degrees, and go dormant in winter, turning brown for around three to five months depending on your climate. Dormancy occurs after the first frost.
Popular warm season grasses include:
- Bermuda
Warm season grasses are, as a rule of thumb, much easier to maintain than cool season varieties. They only need a feeding once in the spring after they have come out of dormancy, but are more easily damaged by fertilizer- and so waiting to spread nutrients later is better than earlier. If you are unsure if your grass is fully out of dormancy, consider waiting until you have cut it at least three times to be safe.
However, you can also feed periodically throughout the growing season and into fall if you feel your lawn will benefit from it. Determining if your lawn needs an extra boost from multiple feedings is as simple as running a soil test to see if nutrients are lacking, or if your grass is looking less than vibrant despite applying proper watering techniques. Warmer climates tend towards a quicker growth of vegetation, meaning more nutrients are used more rapidly.
Build Your Personal Lawn Program
A properly fertilized lawn is a healthy lawn. It means that your lawn will have a better root system to combat drought, heat, cold, pruning, and other stresses. To keep your lawn healthy, fertilize at least once a year but it should be done four times a year to achieve the best results and have constant growth all year round regardless of extreme weather conditions.
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Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
Spring means more daylight and warmer temperatures. After a cold winter, this is the weather your grass is craving. If youre unsure of exactly when to lay down your first feeding, you can base it off of the temperature. Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Its also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether thats from rain or a sprinkler.
Fertilizer provides your grass with extra nutrients that help to prevent crabgrass and allow it to grow green and thick. To ensure youre laying the feed correctly, start around the perimeter of your lawn. Then, you can start filling in the middle. Similar to mowing your yard, you should go back and forth in straight lines. And you should always use a lawn spreader instead of your hands to complete the job.
Now that you know that spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn, here are some other helpful tips that will keep your grass thriving.
Create A Lawn Fertilizer Schedule
Making a schedule helps keep you on track to fertilize at the right times. Incorporate it as part of your overall lawn care plan, which should also include watering, weed maintenance, how low or high to mow the grass. Keep a plan for the entire year and break it down by season. Its also important to review and adjust your lawn fertilizer schedule yearly, as some general rules will work for your specific lawn, and others may not.
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Tips For Watering Your Lawn The Right Way13 Photos
Learn the ins and outs of lawn irrigation, including expert tips for efficient watering.
A day or two before applying fertilizer, water your lawn thoroughly. After grass dries, apply fertilizer. Then lightly water again. This second watering is vitally important, because it washes fertilizer off grass blades and into soil. You can also time fertilizer application between rainfalls to let rain wash fertilizer into soil. Just be sure you don’t fertilize before a downpour, or you may wind up with fertilizer washing away, especially if your lawn slopes. Avoid applying fertilizer during a drought when a lawn has browned or withered from lack of moisture.
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.
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When Should Garden Fertilizing Be Done
Garden fertilizing should be done in spring according to most gardening experts. Ideally, when the soil temperature hits the 55 degrees Fahrenheit mark. Make sure you study the N-P-K concentration of your fertilizer. before rushing into things. An NPK rating of 20-5-10 usually does the job. Each of these constituents will contribute towards a unique aspect of garden growth.
If you have fertilized your lawn in spring as mentioned above, then you must conduct your next round of fertilization after a month. The 3rd round of lawn feeding is optional and can be performed in the month of October.
Another crucial point is the amount of watering your garden needs post-fertilization. The more you water your plant, the greater growth occurs, and thus more fertilizer can be applied as the initial amount has already been absorbed.
Have you already equipped your lawn with an oscillating sprinkler system? If yes, then you can perform fertilization every 6 weeks in and around the season that suits your garden type. If not, then you can wait for 2 months before your next round of fertilization.
Now, whether you have chosen a granulated or liquid lawn fertilizer, the process of applying water changes. Liquid lawn fertilizer must be applied after watering your garden.
Whereas granulated fertilizer requires the moisture to break down. Thus it should be applied post watering your lawn.
