What Should I Fertilize My Lawn With

Importance Of Soil Testing

The most accurate way to determine what type of fertilizer your soil needs is by completing a soil test. A soil test will tell you all of the nutrients that your soil needs for productive growing. While soil testing can be completed in the fall or spring, dont fertilize in the spring unless the soil test indicates that your lawn needs phosphorus, potassium or lime, according to experts. Soil only needs to be tested every two or three years.

When Should I Fertilize My Centipede

Fertilizer is an important part of caring for your centipede lawn. It should be applied in two applications per year, once in the spring and again in the fall. However, it is essential that you follow instructions and not exceed the recommended amount. Ideally, you should use a slow-release fertilizer, which is made for long-lasting results. The granular version is easier to apply and more affordable than liquid fertilizers. However, you must make sure to sweep off excess granules after fertilizing.

A general rule of thumb is to rake the grass once per week. This will prevent the grass from being too tall and encourage shallow roots. Additionally, raking will repair areas that are damaged. You can also use a mix of topsoil and sand to repair weak spots and hot spots in the grass.

You can apply fertilizer in spring and summer depending on your climate. However, you should avoid fertilizing too early, as this will hinder greening. In addition, it can damage new growth. Also, dont use herbicides on centipede grass before the temperatures reach 85 degrees F.

The pH of the soil is important for centipede grass. It needs a pH of about 5.5 to thrive. Lime and sulfur can help raise the pH. Apply fertilizer after the grass begins to grow green in late spring. However, it is not necessary to fertilize your centipede grass every day. As long as you give it the right nutrients, your centipede will stay healthy and strong.

When Should I Apply Fertilizer In The South

In the South, follow up your early spring fertilization with an application of Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Lawn Food.

What time of year do you fertilize your yard?

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.

Is it better to fertilize before or after rain?

Dont wait too long after a heavy rainfall to apply fertilizer. When the top two inches of soil have dried, the benefit of good distribution of the fertilizer in the root-zone area may be reduced. It is for such reasons that we suggest soil moisture should be at good levels just before a fertilizer application.

Read Also: Can You Over Fertilize Your 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.

When Should I Fertilize My Lawn After Seeding

Now that your grass has been seeded and you have your new regular fertilizer, how soon should you use it? As much as you might want to encourage growth and hurry the process along as quickly as possible, its best to wait before re-fertilizing your new grass.

How long? At least four weeks, and possibly as many as eight.

If you give in and re-fertilize too early, the nutrients will not be absorbed by the roots, and you can have runoff that, as we already mentioned, can make its way into the water supply or harm water-dwelling creatures. Moreover, over-fertilizing can actually leach more nutrients from the soil, leaving a deficiency of nutrients when your new turf is finally ready to be replenished.

Save yourself frustration and possible contamination: do not re-fertilize early. After this, you can adhere to the following regular annual fertilization schedule:

You May Like: What Lawn Fertilizer To Use In June

Keeping Up With Fertilizing Schedules

You may love your lawn so much that you print out this blog post and hang it on your fridge. You could even set up reminders in your digital calendar to notify you when its time to fertilize for the season. But if you prefer an easier alternative, sign up for our Monthly Lawn Tips emails. Well send you an email each month with tips on fertilizing, mowing and dealing with pest or disease problems in your lawn.

Best Fertilizer Depending On Lawn Type

If you are establishing a new lawn from seed, use a fertilizer with a high phosphorus ratio.

If you take a look at the table that is provided below, you should be able to get an idea of which aspects of N-P-K must be prioritized while tackling various projects involving the management of lawn grass.

N = nitrogen, P = phosphorus, K = potassium, H = high and L = low

Don’t Miss: How Often Should I Weed And Feed My Lawn

How Often Do You Have To Wait Between Fertilizer Applications

Fertilizers with a higher nutrient content will mean that you need to wait longer between applications in comparison to lawn fertilizer with a lower nutrient content. Some fertilizers can be applied once every four weeks whereas some you will need to wait as long as twelve weeks before you feed your lawn.

Knowing how long you will need to wait between applications will differ between the specific lawn fertilizer you have purchased.

A good tip to ensure that you dont over-fertilize your lawn is to make a note on a calendar the date you applied the lawn food. Read the instructions on your chosen fertilizer to see when the manufacturer recommends reapplying the feed. Then workout when the feed should be reapplied and add this date to your calendar.

Alternatively, set a reminder on your smartphone to prevent over-feeding.

The recommended frequencies of fertilizer application can be found in the tables further down in this article.

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.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Lawn

What Is The Best Ratio For Summer Lawn Fertilizer

We advise beginning summer fertilization with the 20-0-5 formula since its 20 percent nitrogen is often considered a safe starting point for most lawns. When combined with the searing heat of the summer sun, using a fertilizer that contains an excessive amount of nitrogen can damage or even cause the death of your grass.

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.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Cost Of Lawn Care

Hire A Professional Lawn Care Services

If you are not sure how to go about fertilizing your lawn or simply do not have the time, hiring a professional lawn care service could really save you. Lush Lawn has been serving the Southeast Michigan area for nearly 15 years. Our technicians have the equipment and experience to take care of all of your lawn application needs. We will work around your schedule to ensure your grass is at its healthiest and your yard is at its most beautiful. Contact us today for a free estimate on services!

Topics:

Also Check: How To Kill Creeping Charlie In Lawn

When Should I Apply Fertilizer

There are benefits to fall lawn fertilizer application, Ohio State University Extension says. Disease and weed problems are typically not as prevalent as during the summer, and heat and drought tolerance have improved by then, too. Plants may be healthier in the spring and summer after a fall application.

Dont fertilize when the ground is frozen and dont apply fertilizer to dormant or severely drought-stressed turf.

OSU Extension lists recommended lawn fertilizer application times here, based on fertilizer grades.

For gardens, fertilizer is applied before planting. The fertilizer is tilled or spaded into the soil. OSU Extension has further recommendations about garden fertilizing here.

Read Also: How To Even Out Bumpy Lawn

Recap: Lawn Fertilizer Dos And Don’ts

• Use test results to choose the right fertilizer.
• Spend time accurately measuring the size of your lawn.
• Try an organic during the hot summer months.
• Buy a quality spreader that best fits your needs.
• Accurately calibrate your spreader to make sure you apply the right amount.
• Keep your spreader well maintained.
• Keep records of what and how much you apply and when you apply it.

Dont:

• Test your soil after you have fertilized.
• Guess on how much fertilizer you need and what setting you use.
• Apply fertilizer in hot, humid weather.
• Apply fertilizer near water features, on hard surfaces or on frozen ground.
• Use phosphorus unless your soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Apply more than four times a year.
• Use liquid fertilizers on your lawn.
• Use a drop spreader in big lawns.
• Bag your clippings.

What Month Are You Suppose To Fertilize The Grass

Related Articles

• How to Correct a Scalped Lawn

As the weather warms up, we all look forward to getting outside and enjoying time in our yards. Of course, we want our grass to be healthy and green, so applying lawn fertilizer at the right time is required. For most locations, that means giving your yard a good feeding between February and April followed by additional feedings in late spring, summer and fall to encourage healthy growth.

Tip

Apply lawn fertilizer in early spring when your grass starts to actively grow and follow up with additional fertilizer in late spring, summer and fall.

Also Check: Does Scotts Thicker Lawn Work

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.

Best Time To Fertilize Lawn

Fertilizing in the morning allows the soil to take in the most nutrients, soak in the morning dew and take advantage of cooler temperatures. Thats the best time. Do not apply fertilizer on an abnormally hot day, not even in the morning. Wait until the weather cools back down to a normal temperature.

You can mow anytime after fertilizing with a granular treatment. With a liquid treatment, wait a day or two.

Shutterstock

Recommended Reading: How Much Peat Moss For Lawn

When To Fertilize New Grass: Secrets From Lawn Care Pros

No one likes having a patchy lawn. So last year you decided to do something about it. You seeded new grass into problem areas and waited for it to grow. Grow it diduntil it started dying off. What happened? How can you stop this from happening again and get your lawn back to the healthy, vibrant green you remember? Lawn care professionals understand that knowing when to fertilize new grass can make the difference between a thriving yard and grass that is less equipped to handle the brutal Southern heat.

In this post, well discuss when to fertilize new turf, the difference between lawn starter fertilizer and regular fertilizer, how often to apply starter fertilizer and the answer to the question: When should I fertilize my lawn after seeding?

What Will I Learn?

Tips For Fertilizing Your Lawn

Having access to the ideal combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in fertilizer is only half the battle won. The efficiency of these fertilizers depends on how you use them in your garden. To get the most out of a product that has the best ratio of lawn fertilizer, consider the following advice:

• Theres a reason fertilizer companies place a label on fertilizer bags. Following their directions and ensuring that the ratio is appropriate for your grass type can provide you with a beautiful lawn for many years.
• The ideal time to apply fertilizer in the correct proportions to a lawn is when the grass is actively growing, as this maximizes the benefits of the fertilizer. This is because extra nutrients are needed during this time.
• Some fertilizers are formulated to give the ground advantage in the battle against weeds before the weeds even appear. These types of fertilizers must be used in accordance with the specific instructions provided.
• Some fertilizers are only intended for the early development phases of lawn grass. Be it seeds, sod, or plugs. Using these fertilizers after your garden has already grown a lot of grass will not assist.

Recommended Reading: How To Clean Turf Lawn

Signs Of Phosphorus Deficiency

When the roots of the grass are strong and healthy, they can absorb nutrients more efficiently and continue to produce robust growth.

That is why, even in established lawns, phosphorus remains crucial.

The first symptom of a phosphorus deficiency is a decrease in vigor and grass growth rate. Visually, the grass might look dark green, but the area wont give the impression that its expanding as rapidly as youd hoped.

Another common phosphorus shortage leaf symptom is the emergence of dark green color on grass blades, which eventually advances to a purplish to reddish-purple color.

When Not To Fertilize Your Lawn

Don’t apply fertilizer when a heavy rainstorm is in the forecast. A downpour may wash the fertilizer away. But if you’re expecting a moderate amount of rain to come and to fall steadily upon the earth, this is an ideal time to fertilize: It will save you from having to water the fertilizer in, yourself.

Since heat and dryness are your enemies when fertilizing a lawn, avoid applying fertilizer to your grass during periods of severe drought. Your grass is stressed at such times, increasing the likelihood that a chemical fertilizer will burn it.

Recommended Reading: How To Do Overseed Your Lawn

The More You Know The More Your Grass Will Grow Here Are The Best Ways To Maximize Your Lawn Fertilization Schedule

Understanding when and how to fertilize your lawn is a major component to maintaining a healthy, lush yard. Fertilizers give your lawn a healthier root system while eating up unhealthy nutrients. With some simple steps, youll be on your way to having a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood.

• How Weather Changes Timing

Is Your Grass Going To Seed

Commonly mistaken for weeds, seed heads can show up in your lawn a couple of times a year, usually in Spring and Summer. They look quite different depending on the lawn variety that you have and are your lawns natural flower, growing from the leaves themselves. They can often give your lawn a purple or white colour which can ruin the aesthetics of your lovely green lawn. Its also good to know that most lawn seed heads in newly developed lawns such as soft leaf buffalo, kikuyu and couch are sterile, meaning that they will not spread into other areas and grow from these seeds.

Your lawn going to seed isnt necessarily a bad thing however they dont look or feel great underfoot. Most of the time, your lawn will stop going to seed on its own within 2-3 weeks and simply mowing them off will keep your lawn looking great.

If there has been a sudden change in the weather recently, the seeding will stop once the plant has adjusted. Although they are normal through some months of the year, if they are persistent and dont go away, they could be a sign that your lawn is under stress from something, usually a lack of water or nutrient. If you havent recently, fertilise your lawn with a good quality slow release granular fertiliser. Double check that your sprinkler system is working effectively and give your lawn a good soak if needed.

Read Also: How Much To Pay Teenager To Mow Lawn

Don’t Miss: How To Treat Your Lawn For Mosquitoes