When To Fertilize Lawn In Iowa

September 14, 2021

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A Traditional Fertilizing Schedule

Spring Lawn Care Tips – When To Start Fertilizing and Mowing Your Lawn In The Spring

Take a look at a sample schedule from Scotts for a Northern lawn composed of a mixture of bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue. Scotts suggests a four-part schedule for fertilizing lawns. The exact schedule will depend on where you live and your grass type. Ask your local county extension office for tips tailored to your specific situation.

Before fertilizing lawns with any commercial products, read the instructions carefully . A particular product may not be suitable for your type of grass.

In April or May, apply Scotts Turf Builder With Halts Crabgrass Preventer. Crabgrass is perhaps the most feared weed. If you prevent crabgrass seed from germinating in the spring, you save yourself the trouble of having to battle it in the summer.

In June, apply Scotts Turf Builder With PLUS 2 Weed Control” According to the company, this fertilizer fills the need for additional weed control, as the herbicide component fights ground ivy, purslane, white clover, and more.

In July or August, apply Scotts Super Turf Builder with SummerGuard. This fertilizer is billed by Scotts as a product that “strengthens and summer-proofs your grass” while “combating a spectrum of harsh seasonal threats like insects, heat, and drought.”

In the fall, apply Scotts winterizing fertilizer. Fertilizing lawns with this and similar products will not only prepare the grass for winter but also give you a head start toward achieving the green turf that you will want next spring, bringing your grass full cycle.

Types Of Fertilizer To Use On Lawns

Here are the basic types of fertilizer to use on lawns:

Slow-release You dont have to use slow release fertilizers as often, but they are usually more expensive.

Fast-release You get quick results with a fast-release fertilizer, but you have to apply them in smaller amounts and more frequently. You can burn your lawn with a fast-release fertilizer if you use too much.

Weed and feed Try to identify your weeds before using a weed and feed product and make sure your weed is listed on the product label. Take special care around trees, shrubs, and garden plants.

Organic materials such as compost and manure The essential nutrients arent as concentrated in these types of materials, so you have to use a lot. Compost or dry manure before applying it to the lawn, and be aware that some manures, particularly horse manure, may contain weed seeds.

Liquid fertilizers These arent recommended because they are hard to apply evenly and require frequent applications.

Lawn Basics For Southwest Iowa

Most new lawns and many old lawns have soils with zero nutrition. They must be well fertilized for a period of time to get lawns started and healthy.

Our soils are mainly alkaline. They do not need lime. Just the opposite they need to be more acidic. Lime on an alkaline yard is not reversible, so do not do it. We sell a $2.98 soil test kit that will let you know for certain.

Use a fertilizer that contains Iron. ;We sell an Encap Iron product that works quite well for greening up a lawn with an iron deficiency.

Forty two years ago I received a 50 pound bag of grass seed with an experimental label on it. I sure wish I had saved the label because it was the only one I have ever received. The label was for Rebel Turf Fescue. We were the first Garden store to sell the grass seed in our area. The same year I went to a lawn seminar at the Scotts Company and they talked about how they were experimenting with a 90% turf Fescue and 10% Bluegrass Mix. I came home and began selling my own blend with the name Sherbondys Tough Stuff. As the industry added newer and better varieties we changed the mix to 3 hybrid turf-type fescues and maintained the 10% bluegrass. Most companies in our area have followed in our footsteps.

Soil tests from a university or soil lab can be difficult to comprehend if you are not a seasoned agronomist or horticulture major. Call ahead if you need me to read it. It is just some simple math that a simple guy can figure.

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How Fertilizer Is Formulated & The Requirements Of Newly Established Lawns

Most standard fertilizers offer a ratio of 1-0-1 of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium , and come in options such as slow-release and fast-release fertilizers. Each lawn requires a different formulation of nutrients, which is where soil testing can greatly benefit how your lawn is treated on an annual basis.

Cool-season grasses like the types we have in central Iowa typically thrive under slow-release nitrogen-based fertilizers.

Newly established lawns require a different mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Starter fertilizer is always used for the initial application on newly planted seeds or new sod. This fertilizer is typically phosphorus-based to promote sprouting and germination of the new seedlings. After this initial application, standard fertilizer is used going forward.;

Choose The Best Spreader For Applying Fertilizer

There are two main categories of spreaders drop and broadcast. Each fertilizer comes with a distinctive spreader setting to allow correct coverage, and your spreader settings should be adjusted accordingly. Look for the correct spreader setting in your fertilizer bag and ensure that you are choosing the right setting for your spreader.;;

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When To Fertilize Lawn

Constant overfeeding;is never healthy for a lawn. It doesnt help your turf grass in any way and can affect the environment adversely. For most lawns, its enough to apply;lawn fertilizer;around once or twice per year;so as to;keep the grass healthy and green.;;

The right time for applying;lawn fertilizer;depends largely on your type of grass, and partly on the climate. Lawn fertilization should be performed during the season your grass grows the most.;;

How Often To Aerate A Lawn

The degree of use of your lawn and the soil type largely determine how frequently you should aerate your lawn. Lawns that get heavy foot traffic and have heavy, clay soils need to be aerated twice per year. On the other hand, lawns subject to little foot traffic and that have well-drained soil should be aerated once per year.

Read Also: When Should Lawn Aeration Be Done

Save Your Grass Clippings

What you produce as a result of mowing your lawn should not be considered waste. Instead of bagging and tossing your grass clippings, save them and redistribute them across the yard, or add them to your compost. Cut blades of grass can supply your soil with an extra boost of nutrients.

Need additional help? Visit our;Des Moines lawn care;page for more info!

Feature image source: Zillow.com

Residential And Commercial Lawn Maintenance

Lawn Winterizer Fertilizer and Equipment Bonus Footage Madison County

Enjoy a healthy and neat lawn for your home or business with Maloney Lawn Landscape Snow and our lawn care and maintenance services. Our experienced professionals will make your lawn look it’s very best throughout the year. Ask us about our available warranties.for a free estimate for your lawn care needs!

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The Benefits Of Fertilizing Your Lawn On A Regular Basis

For properties in Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Ankeny, IA, fertilizing on a regular basis is the key to maintaining a healthy, hearty lawn. Continual fertilization treatments help promote and maintain grass that is thick, resistant, and able to withstand environmental conditions.

Healthy lawns are able to bounce back quicker from insect infestation or diseases and are even able to resist these afflictions easier than an untreated lawn. Your grass will be able to grow stronger roots with the help of the added nutrients in the soil.;

What Is The Proper Way To Water A Lawn

Most lawns in Iowa require approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. When watering the lawn, apply this amount in a single application or possibly two applications three or four days apart. Avoid frequent, light applications of water, which promote shallow rooting and lush growth. Lush, shallow-rooted turfgrass is less drought tolerant. It also is more susceptible to pest problems. To determine the amount of water applied by a sprinkler, place two or three rain gauges within the spray pattern.;

Early morning is the best time to water a lawn. A morning application allows the water to soak deeply into the soil with little water lost to evaporation. When watering is completed, the turfgrass foliage dries quickly. Watering at mid-day is less efficient because of rapid evaporation, and strong winds may cause uneven water distribution. Strong, mid-day winds also may carry water onto driveways, sidewalks or streets, wasting considerable amounts of water. Watering lawns in late afternoon or evening may increase disease problems.;

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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.

When To Fertilize Lawn With Warm

Personalized Lawn Fertilization in Iowa City IA

Warm-season grasses should be fed during active periods of growth. However, avoid feeding them in hot midsummer months. The fertilizer;should;be applied in three phases first in early spring when the grass begins to green, then in late spring, finally in late summer.;;

Now that you know the;best time to fertilize your lawn, heres an idea of how to proceed with lawn fertilization.;

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How Often Should I Aerate A Lawn

How often should I aerate a lawn?

The frequency of aeration is largely determined by the soil type and the amount of use.; Lawns growing in heavy, clay soils and those subject to heavy foot or pet traffic should be aerated twice a year.; Once a year should be sufficient for lawns that are established on well-drained soils and experience little traffic.; September and April are the best times to aerate Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season lawns in Iowa.;;;

How Often Should I Fertilize My Lawn

Adding fertilizer to your lawn is one of the main ways to ensure that your grass is as healthy as possible. Throughout each growing season, your grass will slowly deplete its nutrient levels and these should be replenished manually. The trick in performing this task is to know how often you should fertilize your lawn.

Knowing how regularly to apply fertilizer to your lawn depends on the time of year. During late spring and early summer, your lawn will need to fertilize your lawn more frequently than during the late summer and early fall/autumn. This is because your lawn is more active during the spring and early summer and will be able to withstand more frequent applications of feed.

The rate of grass growth will slow during the late summer and early fall/autumn so, therefore, the lawn will require fewer nutrients.

This article contains two tables, one for U.S. gardeners and the other for U.K. gardeners, that list the most popular fertilizers. The tables refer to fertilizers that are designed to be applied at different times of the year.

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Can You Fertilize Your Lawn Too Much

Its very easy to fertilize your lawn too much. Fertilizing your lawn with too much fertilizer in one application or not allowing enough time between applications, leads to three problems.

Lawn burn Brown or yellow patches of grass will appear on your lawn in the areas that have had too much nitrogen. This will kill the grass and it will need to be reseeded.

Excessive growth The sudden new growth of grass blades will mean that you will need to water your lawn more frequently. This can be a problem during the drier months of early summer.

Pollution Excessive applications of lawn feed can run off into nearby streams and waterways. The phosphorous in the fertilizer will create algae blooms that are dangerous to some wildlife.

As long as you follow the instructions found on the packaging of the fertilizer, the three problems above can be easily avoided.

Fall Lawn Care For Central Iowa

Lawn Update 29 – The Debate on When to Winterize

While we sometimes like to push the thought of heavy snow and cold temperatures out of our mind for as long as possible, it is true: they are on their way to Des Moines. But, before we think ahead too far, theres still plenty of time to enjoy in our yards. To keep your landscape looking its very best, follow these fall lawn care tips.

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Our Services Are Guaranteed

If you are not completely satisfied with an All American Turf Beauty application to your lawn, we will re-apply the application at no additional cost and continue the regular lawn treatment program. Alternately, we will fully refund your cost for the application and cancel any further obligation on your part.

To qualify for the guarantee, you must call All American Turf Beauty within 30 days of application.

Fall Fertilizer Tips To Set Your Calendar By

Fall is right around the corner. That means its time to play football, pick out pumpkins and prep our lawns for the cold winter months ahead. Fall fertilizing can set your lawn up for success year-round, but timing does matter. Drill down on the best practices for fall fertilizer with the experts from Spring-Green, your neighborhood lawn care professionals since 1977. The dates of the first frost in your area will vary by region, but heres what you generally need to know for fall lawn care.

Our Method Of Dispersing Fertilizer & When Ongoing Treatments Take Place

We apply our fertilizer at the same time as your weed control. This method is a quick way of both protecting and enhancing your lawn. At A+ Lawn & Landscape, our spray system creates droplets that cling to your lawn to evenly spread weed control, while also spreading our granular fertilizer. This method ensures the fertilizer is evenly dispersed on your property.

Our applications typically start in early spring, around late March or early April, and go through October, with a treatment every 5-7 weeks. Ongoing treatments are vital to the health and continuity of your lawn’s growth.;

Can I Apply Crabgrass Preventer In The Rain

The best time to apply crabgrass preventer is before the rain . After it rains , the preventer will have been washed into the soil and crabgrass seeds to stop them from developing roots and germinating. If you apply after rain , water your lawn immediately after to wash the pre-emergent into the soil.

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How To Fertilize Cool

Grasses of cool-season, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, grow vigorously in the colder months of autumn and spring. Autumn and spring is an important period to feed the cool-season grasses. Autumn, in particular, is a necessary period to fertilize cool-season grasses; it helps them to grow in cold-weather and also provides the reserves that are required for quick green-up in the spring.

In fact, you should abstain from fertilizing cool-season grasses too soon in spring, or youll end up with excessive top development with poor root growth, and that is a clear problem. Moreover, if you fertilize in autumn , the lawn will not require another application until later in the spring.

When To Apply Popular Uk Fertilizers

Below is a table detailing how often to apply popular U.K. lawn fertilizers such as Miracle-Gro Evergreen and Westland. Please note that some of the fertilizers below contain weedkiller. These can be applied to any type of grass.

Please note that the table below includes Amazon Affiliate links.

*NPK = Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium

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How Does Osmocote Plant Food Work

Osmocote® Plant Food consists of a homogeneous nutrient prill coated with a semi-permeable resin derived from linseed oil.

The coating utilizes the natural principle of osmosis. Moisture in the soil penetrates the coating and dissolves the nutrients in the prill.

Nutrients are released at the same rate the plants root system takes-up nutrients from the soil, neither under or over-feeding the plant.

How To Fertilize Warm

Extension and Outreach Offers Summer Lawn Care Tips

Warm-season grasses, like St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass, grow speedily in warm weather. Warm-season grasses are generally fertilized from late spring to early autumn. If the grass is fertilized too early in spring, the nitrogen will promote the growth of cool-season weeds. We dont want that.

On the other hand, fertilizing the grass late in autumn will make it less hardy as it enters the cold weather, and it will be more prone to be affected by the freezing injury.

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Aeration Fertilization Help Your Lawn

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach

Fertilizing turfgrass is very common in the spring, and nitrogen will get it growing.

Fall is a perfect time to prepare lawns for the upcoming year with seeding, aeration and fertilization.

Here are some questions about lawn care with answers from horticulturists at Iowa State University Extension. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or .

Q: When is the best time to sow grass seed?

A: Mid-August to mid-September is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing lawns in Iowa and Illinois. Although we’re past that date now, it can still be done if you hurry.;

A late summer seeding has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in late summer or fall.

When purchasing grass seed, choose a high quality seed mix that is best adapted to the site. In sunny areas, Kentucky bluegrass is the best choice. Select a seed mix that contains at least three bluegrass cultivars. For partially shaded areas, use a mixture containing Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine-leaf fescues. In shady areas, the fine-leaf fescues are the best grasses.

Q: When is the best time to fertilize a lawn?

Q: When should I aerate my lawn?

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