Why You Should Fertilize Your Lawn This Fall
The summer months can be harsh on your lawn. Between the stresses of heat and omore frequent traffic, your lawn may need some recovery. The best way to help your lawn recover and prepare for the winter is to fertilize it!
In fact, when you fertilize your lawn in the fall, you will reap the benefits next spring. Fertilizing your lawn in the fall helps the grass to grow stronger roots. Thus, giving it a base to come back in the spring and thrive.
Fall fertilizing also helps minimize the damage that winters and diseases can have on your grass. Most importantly, fertilizer provides a source of energy for the roots. This is what will help with spring green-up, which will help you enjoy a greener lawn that much sooner.
Lawn Fertilization St George Utah
A Healthy Lawn Needs More Than Sunlight and Water To Thrive!We specialize in lawn fertilizing and regular feeding for lush, healthy growth.
Did you know that the nicest looking lawns throughout St. George Utah usually have a thing or two in common? First, they are usually all properly maintained by professional landscapers who know exactly how to care for a lawn and secondly they are probably implementing some type of regular feeding and fertilization program to keep the lawn in a very healthy, lush, green state.
What To Expect From Our Lawn Fertilization & Weed ControlProgram:We provide 8 liquid applications roughly 5 weeks apart. Our average lawn cost $49.47 per application.Each spray has 3-7 different products in it and is blended specifically for that time of year, for the grass types we have in the St. George area.Included in one of the sprays is a preventative product to minimize the chances of having grub issues in your lawn.At each visit we will spray the entire lawn, and let you know if we see areas of concern. From watering issues, to grub damage, to areas that need to be reseeded, we will communicate with you and let you know our recommendations. This program is designed to keep your lawn green, healthy, weed free, and thick. If thats what youre looking for this is likely a great option for your needs.
What Does Your Lawn Actually Need For Fertilizer?
In Utah Lawn Fertilizer Use Requires Care And Diligence
In Utah, lawn fertilizeruse is a frequent necessity. Our abysmal soil offers little help for turf grasses struggling to survive during the Northern Utah summer.
Unless performed correctly, however, fertilization can be harmful to local ecosystems and the overall environment. The best approach is to choose a product that is designed for local growing conditions and use it with great care.
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When Watering A Warm
- Zoysia, St. Augustine, bermuda and centipede grasses develop deep root systems, making them better able to withstand drought.
- In general, warm-season grass types require less water than cool-season grasses. Where you live determines how frequently you need to water because of differences in rainfall and summer weather conditions. Grass requires the most water in conditions of heat, drought, low humidity, and high winds.The type of soil you have also plays a part: Clay soil holds water longer and can be watered less frequently than sandy soil, which drains very quickly .
There are tons of ways to water your lawn, from sprinklers to smart watering solutions. Each has their own sets of benefits, so choose the solution that works best for you and your lawn. Below are a few methods to consider.
Pulsating sprinklers : These shoot water horizontally at a high velocity so the water isnt affected by wind.
Hose-end sprinklers: Great for small- to medium-size lawns. There are many different types, so you can choose the one that fits your lawn best.
In-ground sprinklers: These can deliver water in the most efficient pattern. Choose sprinklers that are low to the ground and use a horizontal spray pattern for best results.
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A Guide To Utah Lawn Care In The Spring
Spring time in Utah is when lawns and yards are ripe for the taming. You may be wondering, What should I be doing to my lawn right now to make it beautiful in the summer? Weve laid out an action plan that you can take to ensure that your whole yard will be the envy of the neighborhood all summer long.
Get Your Yard in Order
First things first. Before you can start in on making your grass lush and green, you need to make sure that the other aspects of your yard are tidied up. First, trim your trees and hedges. Ideally you should trim your trees before they begin to bud and blossom. Cutting back ¼ to & frac13 of your branches improves the health of your tree, increases blossom growth, and is aesthetically pleasing. Keep an eye out for branches that look dead or diseased. These branches will often still have dead leaves hanging, fungus growth, or much of the bark stripped back. Follow a similar routine for trimming hedges. Cut back dead or diseased branches, or those which are growing at an undesired angle. The easiest way to get a straight line with your hedges is to place stakes with strings tied at either end and slowly follow the line with an electric hedge trimmer. Once youve trimmed your trees, hedges, and shrubs, rake any of the debris, along with remaining dead leaves from last fall. Remember that one of the best tips for lawn care is consistency in your effort, so keep up on any other debris you may need to clear throughout the coming season and year.
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Northern Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar
Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass or the fescues, may be seeded any time from midspring to early fall, but late summer is the optimum seeding time in northern Utah. The warmth of the soil in late summer is more advantageous for seed germinat…
Learn how to Identify turf/grass pests and managed them. Including pests such as worms, bugs, beetles, and grub.
Information on common turf diseases in Utah and how to manage them from USU Extension and Utah Pests.
How Cold Is Too Cold To Fertilize Lawn
Temperatures below 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold to fertilize your lawn. At these temperatures, your lawn enters a dormant state to protect itself from the cold. If you fertilize your lawn below these temperatures, youll feed the weeds instead, and the root growth of your lawn will be stunted.
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Fall & Winter Applications
Labor Day until late October is the time to apply the final applications of our four step lawn care program. IFA Step 4 Fall & Winter Lawn Food is the final step of the growing season. This is the most important lawn feeding of the year. Fertilizing in the fall produces extra greening and little top growth. Most of the lawns energy, supplied by the fertilizer, is stored in the roots to be utilized over the winter and provide next years early spring green-up power. Your lawns root system will remain active until the ground freezes, giving it time to recover from the summer heat in the now cooler soil.
This is also a good time to apply the second application of IFA Bountiful Earth Humate. Humate will help fortify the lawn for the winter months and aid in vigorous growth next spring. Applying in both the spring and fall will continuously improve soil quality for lush, healthy lawns every year.
How Can I Make My Brown Grass Green Fast
Its natural for grass to go dormant to conserve water during periods of limited rainfall, and drought-induced brown grass should turn green on its own as the weather cools and rainfall increases. You can also restore your lawn by giving it an inch of water on a weekly basis with your lawn sprinkler.
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When Should I Fertilize My Lawn In Utah
When to Fertilize Lawn in Utah
Is April too early to fertilize my lawn?
If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. In early spring, the grass is putting energy into root development.
Southwest Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar
Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass or the fescues, may be seeded any time from midspring to early fall, but late summer/early fall is the optimum seeding time in southeast Utah. The warmth of the soil in late summer is more advantageous for s…
Homeowners recognize the need for timely nutrient applications to promote vigorous plant growth in landscapes and gardens. These nutrients may be supplied by either organic or inorganic fertilizers, or a combination of materials. Many nursery and garden s…
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When To Fertilize Lawn Utah
when to fertilize lawn utah
recommend the first fertilizer of the year to happen by early April so your second treatment should be about July 4th. Make sure your fertilizer is applied properly. A great time to fertilize is a couple of days after a rainstorm. If no rain is on the horizon then you can water a few days after you deep soak your lawn.
Contents
- Highest rated: 5
- Lowest rated: 1
- Description: When the snow melts in March or early April, you should apply an early spring fertilizer to help your lawn come out of its dormant state. Once
- Sumary: Expert Utah Lawn Fertilization Schedule | Stewarts Lawn Are you struggling to keep your lawn green? Lawn care can be challenging, but fertilizing your lawn doesnt need to be difficult!
- Highest rated: 5
- Lowest rated: 1
- Description: Start fertilizing your lawn in early spring after the snow melts . Granular fertilizer should be applied earlier so
- Sumary: Spring Lawn Care in Utah FAQs | Stewarts Lawn Utah lawns can be difficult to manage, and many people have questions about how to care for their lawn come springtime.
- Highest rated: 5
- Lowest rated: 1
- Description: Early Spring Before new grass emerges, a lawn should be fertilized and treated to prevent crabgrass and weed growth · Late Spring To set your lawn up for
- Sumary: When to Fertilize Lawn in UtahA lawn that is healthy will withstand the four climate seasons of Utah and continuously bring forth a dark green landscape that is beautiful and
Preparation For Lawns In Idaho Utah And Washington
Before you start adding fertilizer or aerating your lawn, you need to clean it up. Over the fall and winter, twigs, branches, and leaves fell, and they need to be removed. Rake the lawn to remove some of this debris, but make sure you also pick up any garbage, outdoor toys, or other stuff that has made a winter home on the lawn. After that, rake again to remove dead grass. You want to start with a clean canvas as you prepare your lawn for summer. However, make sure you wait until the soil is dry, as raking wet soil can dislodge your grass.
One method of removing the old growth on your lawn, the thatch, is mechanical lawn dethatching. We dont recommend dethatching your lawn because it may cause more harm than benefits. Instead, try core aeration on your lawn, which we talk about in Step 2.
Spring Lawn Preparation for Idaho: Once snow begins to thaw, you may notice that your lawn has developed some nasty spots or rings. Lawn fungi tends to pop up in spring in both the Treasure Valley, Boise and in East Idaho , removing thatch gently by hand and applying lawn disease treatments can help.
Spring Lawn Preparation for Utah: Whether you live near Salt Lake, Provo, Ogden, or Salt Lake City, we recommend clearing your yard of any debris left over from winter. Remove dead grass, weeds, and thatch by gently raking. This will help nutrients and fertilizer feed your grass and reduce the chance of lawn diseases such as snow mold.
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What Time Of Day To Water
- Watering in the morning is best because the grass blades have time to dry.
- You can also water in the early evening as long as the grass has a chance to dry before temperatures cool down.
- Dont water at night because the grass blades will stay wet for longer, making the lawn more susceptible to fungal infections .
- Dont water in the afternoon on hot days because most of the water will evaporate before it can reach the roots.
Check out our video for more watering tips from our lawn specialist:
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.
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The Perils Of Lawn Fertilizer Misuse
Virtually all lawn fertilizer products contain some combination of phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. Sometimes zinc or other products are added as a booster.
Excess nitrogen, for example, can cause significant problems if it enters the waterways. This can occur through runoff after you water your yard, if your lawn fertilizer has a high nitrogen concentrate, but especially if you use too much. When it enters the waterways, the nitrogen can cause an overgrowth of algae, which upsets the waters oxygen balance.
As a result, fish and other wildlife can die off.
A Healthy Lawn Is An Environmentally Friendly Lawn
The best way to ensure a perpetually green lawn and one that lives in harmony with the environment is to keep your turf grass healthy.
A healthy, vigorous lawn discourages both weeds and pests. When your grass struggles, it opens a door for weeds to take over. When the delicate balance of your lawn is upset, it also serves as an attraction for harmful insects and other pests.
If you break out the weed killer and pest control products in an attempt to right the ship, youre adding more harmful chemicals to the soil. It becomes a perpetuating cycle of treatment.
But, if you can use an effective lawn fertilizer to restore the health of the grass, you can put this costly and environmentally risky cycle to rest. By far, the most effective way to achieve this is to use a product that is designed specifically for the local soil conditions.
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How To Tell If Your Lawn Has Been Watered Enough
There are some simple tricks that will determine if a lawn is receiving enough water. First, does it look healthy? If it looks healthy, then it probably is which means stick to what you are doing. Another way to determine if your lawn needs to be watered is to submerge a screwdriver into the grass. If it easily sinks 6 to 7 inches, then your lawn is receiving an adequate amount of water each week. If not, it is probably time to make a change to your watering routine.
Be ready for changing weather and be aware of when a lawn needs more feeding and fertilizing. Give lawns an organic fertilizer and compost in fall and spring and cut back on watering when dry days turn to rainy ones.
If you see mushrooms growing in your grass, it is most likely due to overwatering. The best next step is to decrease the amount of watering until the mushrooms are gone.
Turfgrass Cultivars For Utah
For many purposes, the turfgrass seed that may be purchased from a reputable garden center or nursery will usually fit the needs for most Utah lawns. When making such a purchase, look for a quality mixture of named turfgrass varieties avoiding those seed …
Thatch is living and dead turfgrass stems, stolons, and rhizomes that occur just above the soil level. How can you manage it?
Successful establishment of a lawn is best achieved with careful planning, soil preparation, appropriate seed or sod choice, and an understanding of turfgrass requirements.
Successful establishment or renovation of a lawn is best achieved with careful planning, soil preparation, and an understanding of turfgrass requirements.
Of the seven guiding principles of water-wise landscaping , the most controversial involves the use of turfgrass in the landscape. At times it has seemed that water-wise landscaping might not allow for the use of turfgrasses at all. I…
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