Things You Do After Your First Use Of Lawn Fertilizer
Once you apply fertilizer, you have to keep a few tips in mind. Have a look:
- Avoid using the lawn for at least 24 hours after the fertilization process. Keep away the kids and pets from the grass till you find things dry, and once you find the soil has absorbed fertilizers.
- Avoid mowing for at least two days. The reason is simple: it can hamper the setting of fertilization.
These are basic things to keep in mind once you apply the fertilizer.
What Type Of Fertilizer Can I Use On My Lawn
If you are looking for the type of fertilizer to use on your lawn, you have a variety of options to pick from liquid, granular, synthetic, or organic.
- Liquid: Liquid fertilizers are fast and effective, but too firm to spread. They are mainly used by professionals and may demand the use of a backpack sprayer for extensive areas.
- Granular: These are the easiest to spread and the ideal pick for household gardening.
- Synthetic: They are made from synthetic materials, and are quick to release their nutrients.
- Organic: Organic fertilizers are produced from plants and animals, and are usually slow to release their nutrients. What this means is that their effects are long-lasting.
When Should I Fertilize My Lawn In Kentucky
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When should you fertilize lawn?
The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring, when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Youll know when the soil warms up to 55 because the lilacs begin to blossom and the grass starts growing. For most parts of the country, that means the first feeding should take place by about mid-April.
when should I fertilize my lawn in the Midwest?Fertilizinglawnlawnfertilizer
Contents
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Can I Put Too Much Fertilizer On My Lawn
There is the idea of too much of a good thing, and that definitely applies when it comes to fertilizing your lawn! Applying too much fertilizer to your lawn will cause the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil to increase rapidly, which can damage or even kill the grass. When this happens, it is known as fertilizer burn and looks like yellow and brown strips or patches of dead grass. These symptoms can appear as soon as the day after a fertilizer application, making it easy to determine the cause.
When Should I Fertilize My Lawn In The Fall
Lawn fertilization in the early fall is crucial to help lawns recover from the stress of the summer heat. Moreover, lawn fertilizer application in the late fall helps protect lawns during the looming winter months by supporting root stabilization. Individuals should be sure to fertilize their lawns twice during the fall to ensure a healthy, green lawn that is ready for the winter months.
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Water Deeply But Not Too Often
- Too much watering can lead to poor growing conditions and disease problems.
- Water only when your lawn needs it, usually no more than once a week when there is no rainfall.
- Apply at least 2.5 cm of water. Put a tuna or pet food can on your lawn to measure how much youve watered. Stop watering when its full.
- Consider the soil type and surface features. Grass growing on compacted, fine soil or on slopes needs lighter, more frequent watering.
Why Lawn Fertilization Is Important
Lawn fertilizers are made of the three major nutrients nitrogen , phosphorous , and potassium in various combinations and concentrations. Because nitrogen is the key nutrient for leaf growth, the ratio of nitrogen in lawn fertilizer is always the highest. Phosphorus is important for root growth, and potassium helps with water and nutrient absorption, but their numbers are always lower because most soils already contain enough or most of those two nutrients.
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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 lawn’s 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 Much And Which Fertilizer To Use
Lawn fertilizers fall into three categories: granular slow-release, liquid water-soluble, organic, and synthetic. In most cases, granular slow-release fertilizer is the best to use because it slowly feeds and releases nitrogen into the grass over a period of months.
For the amount of fertilizer to use, the rule of thumb is to apply no more than one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn in a single feeding. How this translates into the exact fertilizer amount depends on the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer. If you use a fertilizer with a high percentage of nitrogen, such as 30-0-4, you will need less fertilizer than when using a 24-0-5 fertilizer. Always follow the directions on the fertilizer label.
The only way to know for sure how much fertilizer your lawn needs is to do a soil test in a specialized laboratory . Everything else is mere guesswork and overdoing the fertilizer can be more detrimental to the lawn than using no fertilizer at all. While you can fix an overfertilized lawn, in the absence of a soil test, being a minimalist is the safest approach to avoid problems in the first place.
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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.
When Is The Best Time To Fertilize
Besides the season when you fertilize, the time of the day is also important. Fertilize in the morning when it is still cool and the grass is slightly damp from the dew but not wet. The grass must be dry enough when you apply the fertilizer that the granules will fall between the blades of grass and onto the soil and won’t cling to the blades, otherwise it can lead to fertilizer burn.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast, because the fertilizer should be watered in within a day or two of application. Fertilize before it rains, ideally a slow and steady rainfall and not an intense rainstorm, which will wash the fertilizer away and it will end up in storm drains and streams and pollute waterways. The alternative to rain is to water the lawn with at least a quarter inch of water after the fertilizer application.
Image by Chris Winsor
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What Should You Use
Thats a tough question, isnt it? Most people think theres one type of fertilizer and thats what we should all use. Well, its not exactly that way. Most bags of fertilizer will have three letters on it and a number next to each one: N, P, P Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Simply put, the first is for healthy growth, the second for roots and stems, and the third one makes your garden resistant to drought and disease.
For a strong, green lawn, youd want a high nitrogen concentration in your fertilizer but not so much that the other two components are overlooked.
How should you do it?
There are two ways you can go at it: liquid or granular fertilizer. Each one is good for something and bad for something else. Lets see each one:
Liquid fertilizer: It acts faster, cheaper, and easier to use. Itd be perfect if it wasnt for its unique drawback if you use too much of it, you might end up burning your soil. You also need to apply it more times than granular which might make it possible youll use too much without knowing.
Granular fertilizer: It needs to be used fewer times and its safer than its liquid counterpart. On the other hand, it takes a little bit longer to act and its a little bit more expensive. Regardless of its drawbacks, its the go-to choice for most homeowners.
Is there such a thing as too much fertilizer?
This seems like too much work, is there an alternative?
Enough about fertilizer, what else am I missing?
Applying Fertilizer When Grass Is Growing
The best moment for fertilizing your lawn is when your turf is in an active growing phase. This is why its key to identify what type of grass you have.
Fertilizing your lawn when its growing will make the most out of the growth and supply nutrients to ensure strong roots and to keep your lawn healthy and the grass green.
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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.
What Type Of Fertilizer To Use On Your Lawn
When picking fertilizers for your lawn, you have the option of liquid or granular, and synthetic or organic.
- Liquid: Fast and effective, but tough to spread and used mostly by professionals, may require the use of a backpack sprayer for large areas.
- Granular: Easiest to spread, the best option for the average homeowner.
- Synthetic Fertilizers: Made out of synthetic components, release their nutrition fast.
- Organic: Organic fertilizers for lawns are made from plants and animals, and are usually of the slow-release type. This is a longer lasting fertilizer and fewer applications are necessary.
- Starter fertilizer: Quick release product used when starting new lawns.
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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.
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Know When To Water Your Lawn
Some fertilizers require you to water the lawn before application, whereas other types, such as granulated fertilizers, might need moisture to break down. Always be mindful enough to read the fertilizer label properly and check whether you should water the lawn before or after application.
Moreover, the more your water your turfgrass, the more it grows, and the more your lawn demands fertilizers.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you can feed your lawn every six weeks. But if you dont, waiting two weeks more before the next feeding might probably be the best way to go.
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What Fertilizer To Use In The Fall
The answer here depends on local ordinances or state laws. Some states do not allow the use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus . Even though phosphorus is critical for root growth during seed and sod establishment and in the fall to assist in root redevelopment, many soils naturally contain phosphorus so its not necessary to apply more.
If you live in a phosphorus-free community, use fertilizers containing readily available nitrogen sources and a fertilizer higher in potassium . This will properly feed your lawn going into winter. Good numbers would be 24-0-12 or 21-0-21.
If you live in a municipality or state where fertilizers containing phosphorus are allowed, this can add another layer of plant health protection to prepare your lawn for a harsh winter. A good example would be 24-5-10 or 20-5-20. A lawn starter fertilizer, such as a 14-14-14 or 12-24-12 would also work.
Liquid or soluble fertilizers containing similar NPK ratios can also be used. However, understand that recommended application rates of sprayable lawn fertilizers will deliver fewer nutrients per application compared to granular products. But, using a hose-end sprayer to apply a fall fertilizer is still an acceptable method of application. You may have to apply two applications a couple of weeks apart to realize its full benefit.
Fertilizing Damaged Lawns To Restore Them
If you’re trying to repair a damaged lawn, you can apply fertilizer more frequently.
Perhaps it’s early summer and you’ve noticed a compacted area where the grass is patchy and yellow, for instance. In this case, John Negus, a gardening expert from Amateur Gardening, suggests scarifying it before feeding with a high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer. Repeat this monthly until autumn, he advises, before switching to a high-potash lawn feed ‘to keep the grass healthy in winter.’ Remember to follow application instructions.
If you’re repairing lawn patches with seed, there is also a product which can be applied to the soil beforehand to give it all the vital nutrients needed to support seedlings called TotalLawn Pre-Seed Formula . ‘Its fantastic stuff its fast and slow release so it lasts up to 90 days, which is going to give us an initial boost to get the lawn going,’ says garden expert Sam at JayRock Lawncare and Gardening .
Frequent feeding can help to restore a damaged lawn
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Don’t Bother Fertilizing Your Lawn Twice A Year
Fertilizing your yard too oftenor at the wrong timecan do more harm than good
A lush lawn can make your homes landscaping shine . But how do you maintain a beautiful and healthy yard year-round?
The answer is fertilizer.
Fertilizing provides the nitrogen that grass needs to better withstand pests and extreme heat and cold. But how frequently you fertilize your lawn can make the difference between a well-kept yard and one that looks worse for wear.
Overfertilizing can damage roots and cause scorching, leaving grass brown and patchy. Underfertilizing, though, can make grass less pest- and disease-resistant. And rules of thumbsuch as fertilizing twice a yeardont apply to every lawn, since weather conditions and grass cycles can vary depending on where you live.
The right time to apply fertilizer is when the grass is growing more roots than blades. In the Northeast and Northwest, thats usually in the fall. In the South and Southwest, its in the late spring. So in cooler climes, dont even think about it until Labor Day. And if you only fertilize once a year, do it in September using fall fertilizer.
How often you mow is also a factor in whether you have a lush lawn. Generally, you should let grass grow to 4½ inches and then cut it to 3 or 3½. Tall grass helps promote deep roots, making your lawn hardier and more resilient.
Bottom line: Listen to your lawn and apply fertilizer only when the grass calls for it.
How Often To Fertilize Lawn
Over-fertilizing is a thing. If once a year is right for your lawn, stick with that and dont get carried away. Fertilizer can be a valuable tool to keep a lawn healthy, dense and looking great, but it can also create environmental concerns if not used responsibly. Follow the label instructions on your fertilizer as each product has unique specifications and needs.
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Keep Track During Fertilization
Using too little fertilizer can hinder the growth of your lawn, and at the same time, without adequate nutrients, the grass will turn yellow and die. On the other hand, applying too much fertilizer can ruin the blades of your grass.
Most people fertilize their lawns once or twice a year, depending upon the type of grass they have. Sometimes people also fertilize their lawns four times per year, for which they usually use four holidays as a marker. These holidays are Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween.
Do avoid fertilizing during the peak summer months because the heat and fertilizers combined will harm your lawn.
