When Is The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
It will depend on the season and the area you live in. For example, in early Spring, you can fertilize your lawn between the last days of February and the first days of April. On the other hand, early Summer could be another exceptional time to fertilize, but be careful before the hot days arrive because you can burn your plants.
Additionally, as you might know, Fall is an excellent time to feed your lawn with grass seed, so it would be great to fertilize those seeds to prepare them for winter because grass stops growing. Also, it will be perfect for your soil to get nutrients. In the fall, cool temperature helps to boat the fertilizer over plants and their roots.
Choosing the best fertilizer depends on different factors, so make sure to have professional advice.
Now that you know how often should you fertilize your lawn, its time to feed your yard the right way. Always know that you can count on J& R Chavez Landscaping for any expert advice or services you need regarding proper lawn care. Dont be afraid to contact us we will be happy to answer!
- Monday to Sunday from 7am to 6pm
- We are Insured
Is Your Lawn Ready For A New Best Friend
Ready to nourish your grass with fertilizer for a green and healthy lawn? Choose an Idaho Falls or Boise professional lawn care service that bundles your yards most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.Fertilizing, weed control, grub control. Done.Weve got your back. Got a few minutes? Thats all you need to get started. Fill out the form on this page. Call us at 656-9131.
Report This Adwhen To Mow New Sod
You shouldnt mow your sod until it is fully rooted, which can take up to three weeks, although it may be less than that. You can check if its rooted by tugging on a piece of sod and seeing how easily it lifts.
Once the sod is well-rooted, you can mow the turf. Its best to use a very sharp blade for this, so you dont tear or stress the grass. Be careful to not cut more than a third off the grasss length, making sure you dont take the lawn down too short, or you may risk scalping it and ruining all your hard work.
You can read more about when to mow new sod in our article When to Mow New Sod.
Also Check: How To Change Oil In Craftsman Lawn Mower
How Much Time To Wait For Between Consecutive Usage Of Fertilizer For Grass
Lawn fertilizing is a game of patience and precision when performed. Most lawns do not need to undergo fertilization more than 2 times a year.
But in case you notice that your grass is dying, turning brown, or growing in patches, then you may want to add more fertilizer. It is advised to wait for at least 6 to 8 weeks before embarking on a new lawn fertilizing mission.
Choosing The Right Fertilizer
Synthetic fertilizers come in slow- and fast-release formulas. In addition to the essential nutrients of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate, they may also contain calcium, magnesium, sulfur and other ingredients.
While synthetic fertilizers are a good choice for spring and fall use, you should avoid them during the summer. This is because they typically have a very high nutrient content and are likely to burn the grass.
Organic fertilizers are made from fish meal, compost, manure and other natural ingredients. It has a lower nutrient content, which makes it gentler and ideal for summer use. Organic fertilizer tends to break down slowly too, so it will continue feeding the grass for months after application.
You May Like: How To Change Oil In Craftsman Lawn Mower
How Often Should Fertilizer Be Applied
The answer to this question depends on several factors. As a rule of thumb, fertilizing a lawn twice a year is sufficient when applying a fertilizer with a high nutrient content. The best advice is to choose a single supplier and product for that particular year/growing season and follow the instructions that they provide, paying attention to the recommended frequency of application. Some granular fertilizers will only require two applications per year, as they slowly release their nutritional value to the soil.
Soluble feeds can be applied from anywhere between every three weeks through to annual applications depending on the product chosen.
Working out how often to apply fertilizers is tricky, so we have created two tables below explaining how often to apply popular U.S. and U.K. fertilizers. The tables will help you choose which fertilizers are the best choice depending on what you are looking to achieve or which problems you are looking to overcome with your lawn.
How Do I Know How Often To Fertilize Lawns
If you fertilize too little you wont feed your lawn with the nutrients it needs, and it may turn brittle and yellow. Apply too much fertilizer too early or late, and you can burn the blades.
Most lawns will do fine with fertilizing one or two times a year, in the early spring and the fall, but this depends on the type of lawn you have. Some people do it four times per year. In this case, we recommend keeping in mind the big holidays to do it: around Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween.
Depending on your lawn, you can fertilize up to once every four or five weeks if using synthetic fertilizers. If you have a slow-release organic fertilizer, you can space out the applications for eight to 10 weeks.
Avoid fertilizing in the peak temperatures of the summer. The heat and blazing sun together with the fertilizers can damage your grass.
Also Check: How To Kill Wild Violet Weeds In Lawn
Apply Fertilizer Based On The Grass Type
As you determine how often you should fertilize your lawn, you should also consider the type of climate in your area and the type of grass growing around your property. If, for instance, your lawn has cool-season grasses, you should fertilize it in late spring and early summer. You can fertilize warm-season grasses such as St. Augustine or buffalo grass in spring and then in late summer. Pay close attention to the grass. If, for instance, it looks green and thick, consider skipping feeding.
What Is The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
You should be fertilizing your lawn at least twice a year. However, if you pick the wrong season or the wrong fertilizer, you can cause excessive weed growth or even burn the grass. Part of knowing when to fertilize your yard is about knowing what type of grass you have. You should fertilize your lawn when it is actively growing. If you have cool-season grass, early spring, when the temperatures are between 60-75 degrees is the optimal time for the first feeding.
Warm-season grasses tend to start sending up green shoots a bit later in the spring when the temperatures reach 80 degrees or higher. When you see this start happening, its time to sprinkle your fertilizer.
You should also fertilize both cool- and warm-season grasses in the fall. This helps ensure healthy roots during the winter months, which results in healthier, greener grass the following spring.
Recommended Reading: Can You Hydroseed Over Existing Grass
Lawn Fertilizing Tips And Tricks: When And How To Apply
The secret to accurate amounts of lawn fertilization lies in knowing when and how much should you fertilize your lawn. Low amounts of grass fertilizing will not help in killing weeds neither will it contribute to providing the desired essential nutrients to your grass. Too much grass fertilizer can harm your grass and curb its growth.
How can one identify the precise amount of fertilizer for grass lawns?
We have curated a set of questions and answers that will give you clarity as to the frequency of lawn fertilization you must carry out. There are fall lawn fertilizers, winterizer fertilizers, summer fertilizers, and rainy season fertilizers. But how do they contribute and help your garden adapt to change in climate?
How Soon You Can Fertilize After Seeding Your Lawn
Its not always after seeding that you should apply fertilizerthe best time to fertilize is right before or during the seeding process. Use a starter fertilizer with quick-release nitrogen since that will give the seeds a nutritional boost. When you make fertilizer a part of the seeding process, your grass will grow quicker and is more likely to end up healthy and lush.
Also Check: How Much To Pay Teenager To Mow Lawn
Should I Fertilize My Lawn Before Or After Mowing
Ideally, youll want to mow and rake before fertilizing so that excess lawn waste is removed, allowing the fertilizer to have an easier time reaching the soil. Aerating your soil before fertilizing can also help. 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.
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.
Recommended Reading: Craftsman 675 Series Lawn Mower Oil
How To Fertilize Your Lawn
When considering fertilizers, choose a slow-release variety. This will feed your plants slowly over time instead of the short burst of nutrition that quick release fertilizer provides. Quality slow-release fertilizers will provide proper balanced nutrition over time to develop a healthier plant and root system that combats heat, cold, drought and other stresses. Organic fertilizers, like compost, also add naturally-occurring material to the soil, which is important for air circulation, good water retention and drainage.
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 home gardening.
- Synthetic: Made out of synthetic components, release their nutrition fast.
- Organic: Organic fertilizers are made from plants and animals, and are usually of the slow-release type. This means their effect will last longer.
Read Also: Permethrin For Ticks In Yard
When To Water New Sod
You might also be wondering about watering your new sod, and how often you should be doing that it is probably even more crucial than when to feed it, in some ways.
You can water new sod the day that you install it, as part of the installation process. As with planting most plants, this is a really good idea as it will stop any exposed roots from drying out and will help them to settle into the soil.
If you are doing a large area or the weather is particularly warm, its a good idea to water the sod as you start to lay it this will reduce the risks of it drying out while youre working.
You should thoroughly soak the sod, making sure that the soil underneath also becomes damp, not just the sod itself. You should add around an inch of water to each area, ensuring that the soil is damp for at least a couple of inches below the sod .
Keep watering your sod every day for the next five days, ideally twice a day. This will ensure that the grass roots never fully dry out and will prevent any dead areas or bald spots. You should aim to water early in the morning and afternoon, leaving it overnight to reduce the chance of fungi taking over.
Remember that deep watering is better than a quick sprinkle it encourages your grass to grow deep roots that will find moisture once it is an established plant, and the water will also stay in the soil longer, rather than evaporating off.
How Much Should I Water My Lawn After Fertilizing
How much fertilizer you need is directly impacted by your watering schedule. The more you water your lawn, the more fertilizer it will need. As the grass grows, it uses more nutrients. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you should fertilize your lawn about every six weeks. You dont want the watering to outpace the fertilizing as that could negatively impact the lawns growth cycle. If you dont have a sprinkler system, you can wait an additional two weeks between applications. Also, be sure to carefully read the fertilizer label to learn whether you should water the lawn before or after applying the product. Granulated fertilizers need moisture to break down after application, while other fertilizers require you to soak the lawn beforehand.
Don’t Miss: How To Fix Dead Patches In Lawn
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.
Season And Type Of Lawn
For warm-season lawns, it is best to fertilize in late spring, when they are green and growing. It is not recommended to do it at any other time of the year because they are in a dormant state and will not be able to take advantage of the nutrients you put on them. For cool-season lawns, fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn when temperatures drop, so you dont put pressure on the lawn or chemically burn it.
Read Also: How To Eliminate Clover
Why Are Fertilizers Necessary For Plants
Seeds, plants, and trees need fertilizers to get nutrients and vitamins. Many plants struggle with many diseases, and fertilizers are the medicine to fix the soil. The soil is the base of every seed and plant, and if you have weak ground, your plants will die. So, if you are looking for the perfect lawn, fertilize your garden or yard to ensure the nutrients.
Also, most seeds need nitrogen to grow actively, and fertilizers ensure this vital element. Besides, some plants are not able to absorb nitrogen from the soil and air, so fertilizers help the soil to be more open to the air and at the same time boost nutritional characteristics.
As we need vitamins and minerals, plants need them to make grass green fast too!
When To Fertilize Lawns
When grass is actively growing, typically from March or April through June and September through October, fertilizer is best applied. It also depends on the grass species. You better plan to make three or four applications of fertilizer each year. Also, apply fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn with each application.
Remember, never apply more than 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn each year. You can apply it every four to six weeks while the grass is sharply growing if the fertilizer has nitrogen in a fast-release form. Slow-release fertilizers are applied again after six to nine weeks. The most important thing is that the last fertilizer application should be at least six to eight weeks before the anticipated first frost date.
Also Check: Who Makes Cub Cadet 159cc Engine
Create A Fertilization Calendar
If you are an organized person, a plant or seed fertilization calendar will be perfect for you. Remember that fertilizing your lawn will depend on the different seasons, plants, seeds, and other factors. So, create the calendar and establish the month and the day you are planning to seed. After that, compare the seeding days, and look for the best fertilization days.
The calendar could include all the checks you are supposed to follow over the weeks. This is not vital, but it could be helpful!
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.
Don’t Miss: How To Control Wild Violets In Lawn
How Long Should You Water Your Lawn After Fertilizing
The fertilizer and soil should be thoroughly moist, but dont water so much that the water begins to form puddles. About 20 minutes should do the trick. You dont want to wash away all those good nutrients or let the fertilizer get carried away by the water, where it could contaminate groundwater and nearby streams, ponds or rivers. If youre using hoses and sprinklers to water after fertilizing, not an irrigation system, be sure you move them around to provide nice, even coverage over all areas of your lawn.
