When To Apply Spring Lawn Fertilizer

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.

Should I Fertilize Plants In The Fall

With the exception of new plantings, such as fall bulbs, its not necessary to apply fertilizers to your garden beds in the fall. However, applying a few inches of compost or manure can enrich the beds nicely, which your spring garden will certainly appreciate.

Purchasing and applying fall fertilizer is an inexpensive and quick way to make a big difference in the look of your lawn. Once the spring arrives, youll be pleased to see how quickly your lawn returns to its original colour, and how much easier it will be to keep weeds at bay. However, if your lawn is in bad shape, sometimes your best bet is to start with a blank slate. Our team specializes in sod and artificial turf installation to help you start over with an even, green look. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you get your yard back to tip-top shape!

What Is The Best Lawn Fertilizer

The Top 5 Best Lawn Fertilizers

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The Best Times To Apply Fertilizer

Whether youre a seasoned turfgrass fanatic or a first-time lawn owner, fertilizer schedules arent always the easiest to track throughout the year. Have no fear! Were here to help you keep up with when to fertilize your lawn, what type of fertilizer to use, and even how to organically care for your lawn if conventional fertilizers arent your thing.

Types Of Fertilizer For The Lawn

To make a fertilizer schedule for the first time you have to learn about which types of fertilizer you may prefer to use in your lawn. Here are some basic types of fertilizer that you can use for your lawn.

You can use both organic and inorganic fertilizer. Organics gives a slow but long-lasting result while inorganics are very fast and easy to apply. The fundamental ingredients in lawn fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and they make up the N-P-K ratio listed on fertilizing products. Nitrogen gives the lawn its green color and vigorous growth. Phosphorous encourages healthy root growth, and potassium increases disease and weather resistance.

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The Perfect Plus For Summertime Lawn Care

Summer heat poses high levels of stress to your lawn, especially in the dry intermountain climate. Help your turf save water, make the most of each irrigation and/or recover from heat stress by adding a liquid or granular soil wetting product to your summer lawn care program along with IFA Spring & Summer Lawn Food.

Applying Revive or Aqua-Drive to your yard can help your grass make the most of each watering and promote a longer, stronger green through the heat of the summer.

Both Revive and Aqua-Drive are soil treatment products that make it easier for water to move through the soil. This is especially helpful for dense, compacted soil or lawns with heavy thatch since these products increase nutrient accessibility and absorption, as well as help your lawn retain moisture, especially during the dry summer months.

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 you’ve watered. Stop watering when it’s full.
• Consider the soil type and surface features. Grass growing on compacted, fine soil or on slopes needs lighter, more frequent watering.

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Feeding The Lawn In The Summer And Fall

Warm-season grasses thrive in the heat of the summer and can be fertilized throughout the growing season. However, cool-season grasses are in a survival mode during the heat of the summer. Refrain from applying fertilizer to a lawn in mid- or late-summer if you live in a climate where cool-season grasses are in your lawn seed mix. A cool-season lawn should need nothing other than water and pest management until September.

Most lawn experts recommend a mild dose of a “turf-builder” fertilizer formulation in the early- to mid-fall, while the turf still has several weeks of active growth before dormancy. This application will help build robust root systems going into winter and restart the growing cycle in the spring. You are not looking to return your lawn to the green of summer. Heading into winter, you can expect a natural slowdown of your lawn’s growth and the loss of its green luster.

Getting Ready For Spring Lawn Care

As your lawn responds to nature’s spring wake-up call, help prepare it for a year of healthy growth with the lawn care it needs to help it thrive. By tackling a few simple chores, you will prepare your lawn to defend itself against this year’s wave of weeds, diseases and drought.

Related Products

Anytime in early spring or fall

Use only on established lawns of the following turf types: Bermudagrass, centipedegrass, all varieties of St. Augustinegrass and zoysia.

Do not use on any other turf types: bahiagrass, bentgrass, ormond variety of Bermudagrass, buffalograss, carpetgrass, dichondra, fescue, kikuyugrass, ryegrass or seashore paspalum lawns.

Use 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet

Apply anytime – spring through fall at temperatures between 50 degrees F and 90 degrees F.

On established lawns without harming lawn grasses.

Do not use on Carpetgrass, improved varieties of St. Augustinegrass, such as floratam, dichondra or desirable clovers.

• 0.073% Dicamba
• 0.240% Dithiopyr

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Apply A Late Season Fertilizer Application

To ensure good winter survival and early-spring green-up, make this fertilizer application when the turf has stopped growing but is still green, usually in mid- to late October. Timing is critical. Fertilizer applied too early will promote succulent growth in the fall that will make the lawn more susceptible to winter injury. Fertilizer applied too late will be of no benefit to the turf. If you make a late-fall fertilizer application, spring fertilization can be delayed until late May to early June. The application rate for this time of the year is the same as for the early fall application .

When To Apply Winter Fertilizer

Fertilizer should not be applied to already frozen ground since it will not do any good to the lawn. Worse still, the unabsorbed nitrogen and nutrients will likely leach back into the water system.

The best time to apply winterizer is in late fall, about three weeks before the ground is frozen. This period will vary from region to region. In Canada, it will usually be two weeks before November while in other areas in the States the ideal time will be mid to late November.

It is important to make sure that your grass has stopped growing but still appears fresh and green. If your grass has already discolored, its too late to apply the winterizer.

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S To Correctly Apply Fertilizer

Once you have the lawn food, spreader and other tools, it’s time to start applying.

1. Set your spreader to the proper rate

Adjust your broadcast spreader to the correct setting to ensure the correct rate of application. There are many spreaders on the market, so be sure to adhere to specific guidelines for your specific make and model.

Recommended Spreader Settings

• Scotts Speedy Green 1000/3000: 7
• Scotts Speedy Green 2000: 8

2. Apply uniformly to dry lawn

As a general rule, open your spreader to one-fourth inch and walk normally. Keep in mind, if you walk faster, you will want to open the spreader a little more to compensate for your stride. 3-mph is a good walking pace for fertilizer application. Be sure to overlap your walking paths to achieve uniform application and to avoid lines.

3. Water the lawn thoroughly soon after application

Water the lawn thoroughly soon after applying Spring & Summer Lawn Food to ensure it is distributed into the soil. This helps the nutrients travel through the soil to be absorbed by the roots.

When And How To Fertilize New Grass

If you’re starting a new lawn from seed, sod or plugs or you’re doing bare lawn spot repair a starter fertilizer helps grass get the perfect start. Unlike established lawns, new grass benefits from extra phosphorus, an essential plant nutrient that supports strong, deep roots. Some states only allow phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers on new grass, so check with your county extension office if you’re unsure.

On fertilizer products, phosphorus is the middle number in the N-P-K ratio usually “0” in normal lawn fertilizers. But with Pennington UltraGreen Starter Fertilizer 22-23-4, you get an ideal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus other essential lawn nutrients, including iron for deep green color. This premium fertilizer blend starts feeding new grass immediately and keeps feeding it for up to three months.

Always follow guidelines for the best time to plant grass seed for your region and grass type, then fertilize accordingly. For seed or plugs, apply fertilizer with a regular lawn spreader before you plant. If you’re starting a lawn with sod, fertilize after your sod is in place.

With any new lawn area, avoid using crabgrass preventer fertilizers or weed & feed fertilizers within four weeks before planting time. After seeding, wait until your new grass gets established and you’ve mowed your lawn at least three times.

Weed & feed fertilizers kill tough weeds and feed your lawn.

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What Are Fertilizer Numbers

Fertilizer numbers tell the proportion of the elements present in the fertilizer. The three basic elements in fertilizer are Nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium .

The three of them are called N-P-K in this order. Every bag of fertilizer has N-P-K boldly written, as well as the fertilizer numbers under each of the alphabet.

These numbers are the percentage composition of these elements in the fertilizer. For instance, a fertilizer with 20-5-10 has 25% nitrogen , 5% phosphorus , and 10% potassium . These elements have filler materials that enable an even distribution of the elements on your lawn.

You shouldnt just settle for a fertilizer arbitrarily. Each of these elements has the role they play in your lawn. And youve got to apply the fertilizer that best suits your needs.

• Nitrogen helps your grass to grow, and it also promotes the rick green color you want.
• Phosphorus enables your lawn to take better roots. It also improves flowering.
• Potassium is like a stimulant that enables the lawn to be more receptive to Nitrogen.

With this knowledge, you have to carry out a soil test to ascertain what element your lawn needs. And itll also show you the PH level of the soil.

The N-P-K composition of the fertilizer you should eventually opt for is dependent on the result of the soil test and what you seek to improve in your lawn.

See the following pages for more on what nitrogen does for grass and what potassium does for the grass.

The Guide For Spring Fertilizer

Spring is a great time in Canada, that’s for sure. There’s warmer weather , blossoming plants and flowers, and NHL playoffs are on almost 24/7… What’s not to love!

It’s no secret that spring is the best time of year for lawn care. Now that the weather is a little better , it’s time to get it ready for the long season ahead.

There are a number of beneficial tasks that home owners can do in spring to get a head start before summer creeps up on us. One of the most important things on your list should be a spring fertilization.

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When To Fertilize Your Lawn In Spring

You want a healthy lawn. Everyone does. Lawns obtain nutrients from the soil to grow. During the growing season, they often need a little help. Enter a lawn fertilizer application. It encourages turf blade and root growth, boosting lawn density and reducing weeds in the process. Sounds like a no brainer, right? Better, thicker lawn and fewer weeds. Sign me up!But when it comes to getting the season started right, you may be wondering when to start fertilizing your lawn. This is an intelligent question, and heres why. Fertilize too early, and you waste product . Fertilize too late, and you miss a key window for best results. Time and money wasted is never fun.Here are some key facts to consider when it comes to lawn fertilization timing, particularly that first application.

When To Put Fertilizer On Lawns

All lawns need fertilizer in early spring when the grass begins to green up. Your fertilization schedule for the rest of the season depends on the type of grass in your lawn, the type of fertilizer you use, and your climate. Most lawn seed is a mixture of several different types of grasses, and both spring and fall fertilization are appropriate.

The label on a bag of lawn fertilizer will recommend a schedule based on the type of fertilizer it contains. The label is your best guide to how often to apply the product and how much to use. As long as you dont overdo it and avoid fertilizing in the hottest part of summer, your lawn should thrive.

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Rethink How To Fertilize Lawn In Cedar Rapids

When we spoke to homeowners about the lawn fertilization program, many have spoken in favor of using a single turf builder application in early fall. In a way, they are correct, as fall is one of the best times to build the root system. But, they prefer to omit all other fertilizations during summer and spring.

In our experience, however, weve found 2 to 3 light applications in each growing year, 1 in spring and the other at midsummer can be helpful. Its better not to miss your spring fertilizer application. Of course, timing is important and so are other details like the kind of grass found in your region and soil condition.

What Is A Winterizer

A winterizer is a fertilizer applied in late fall to help your lawn survive the winter by storing more food. It also helps your lawn to root and grow faster in the spring. A winterizer is not meant to augment fall grass growth, this is achieved by the early fall fertilizing in September and early October. It contains more potassium than other fertilizers. Potassium is key for root growth and helps plants weather the cold.

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When To Fertilize Lawn In Spring

In most parts of the country, including the Midwest, the first feeding should take place between mid and late April. You still have time to feed your lawns with fertilizers. Let the soil warm up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can start your spring lawn fertilization schedule.

Often, we make the mistake of fertilizing our lawns too early in spring. In early spring, grasses put a lot of energy into root development. Allow the grass to strengthen the roots and let them prepare for the first feed in late spring when the grasses have a growth surge. Fertilizing in early spring can encourage lush top growth at the expense of root growth.

What Should I Do After I Fertilize My Lawn

After application, the next steps should be clean up. Fertilizer that has been left behind could cause health risks to people, pets, and the natural environment. It is important that you take precautions to prevent mishaps. Fertilizer that has been left behind could potentially burn your grass, or runoff into storm drains. When loading your spreader, try laying down a tarp underneath to catch wayward granules.

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Considerations When Using Organic Lawn Fertilizer

For the most part, organic lawn fertilizer is almost always going to be the best solution to feed your lawn. However, its important to note that you should always double-check the percentages of nutrients in whatever type of fertilizer you use to make sure youre giving your plants exactly what they need.

For example, many organic lawn fertilizers contain far too much phosphorus and not enough nitrogen. Just double-check to make sure your fertilizer has precisely what your lawn needs .

Ultimately, organic lawn fertilizers are excellent choices for lawns, especially when used appropriately. Knowing when to apply organic lawn fertilizer is the most critical part of the equation. Now that you have the information you need, theres nothing standing between you and the lushest, greenest lawn imaginable!

Bermuda Zoysia & Centipede

Early Spring

Omit fertilizer for these months. Your grass will be dormant, and you dont want to promote growth during this time.

Pre-emergent exception: You may apply a low nitrogen fertilizer and pre-emergent combo from late February to early March to prevent weed seeds from germinating. An example of a low nitrogen ratio is 0-0-7 with pre-emergent.

Limestone: During early spring, conduct a soil test to determine if the pH of your soil is too acidic. If the results of your soil test pH are too low, apply lime to your lawn. We recommend Pelletized Dolomitic Limestone.

Spring

When all of your grass is green and completely out of dormancy, apply 16-4-8 + Iron to Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass.

Since Centipedegrass likes low nitrogen, apply 5-10-30 + Iron to it. Centipede fertility is a little different than other lawns so read our Fertilizer Tricks for your Centipede Lawn.

Organic Lawn Care Alternative: Instead of applying fertilizer, topdress your lawn with Soil3 organic humus compost. This will act as one application of fertilizer for the year and cut down on your chemical use.

Mid- Summer

Apply 16-4-8 + Iron as your final application of fertilizer for the year.

Fall and Winter:

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