When Should I Put Down Scotts Winterguard
Fall is the best time to feed.
Timing:
Additionally, is it too late to put down winter fertilizer? Beware: fertilizing too late or too early can actually do harm to your lawn. By fertilizing to early, you are making your lawn more vulnerable to insect outbreaks.
Beside above, when should I apply Winterizer to my lawn?
Winter fertilizers are usually applied in late October or early November to cool-season lawns. To take full advantage of the effects of winterizer fertilizer, you should also apply fertilizer to your lawn in early September. The early fall feeding stimulates root growth.
Can I use Scotts WinterGuard on new grass?
Answer: Yes, you can apply a winterizer fertilizer such as Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food at or around the same time as overseeding since there is no herbicide. This formulation is designed for established turf, but the boost of nutrients would only help the new seeding.
Fertilizers Summer And Your Lawn
When growing turfgrass, its important that you follow it closely through seasonal changes. Summer is usually the warmest season. And hot weather can be as stressful for your lawn as it is for humans.
For your lawn, summer usually implies drought, heat and excess traffic due to use. Lawn owners are usually tempted to fertilize at this point in order to correct whatever adverse effect this might cause.
Fertilizers ordinarily should promote the growth and development of your turfgrass, but you might want to reconsider that idea during summer.
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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How To Apply Lawn Fertilizer For Best Results
Whenever you apply fertilizer, always follow best practices for fertilizer safety. For best results, mow your lawn one to two days beforehand. Then set your spreader to the setting recommended on the product label.
- For drop spreaders, start with two strips across your lawn’s ends. Then work back and forth, overlapping each swath slightly.
- For broadcast spreaders, start on the outside and work in, overlapping slightly as you go.
Always shut the hopper when you stop and turn to prevent a fertilizer pile. When finished, sweep excess fertilizer off hard surfaces, such as sidewalks and driveways, to avoid iron stains and fertilizer runoff.
By following these lawn fertilizer tips, you can keep your grass at the peak of performance, beauty and health. At Pennington, we take pride in providing you with the best in lawn fertilizers and expert advice to help you have a lawn you’re proud to own. Stay connected with our email newsletter for accurate, timely tips and offers to help you make the most of your lawn and home.
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How Much Fertilizer Do I Need For My Lawn
Your lawn size will determine how much fertilizer you should apply for a better result. After calculating the area, take a look at the ratio of nitrogen nutrients on the instruction. Two pounds of nitrogen is recommended for 1,000 square feet. Then, compute the number by making a multiplying calculation.
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Tree And Shrub Fertilizer
Fall is also a great time to fertilize shrubs and trees. In my opinion, all trees and shrubs need fertilizer, because most of them are located in mulch beds that use up nitrogen as they decompose. In addition, every fall we rake leaves off these beds, depriving plants of the nutrients that decomposing leaves would traditionally release.
To compensate, I recommend applying one to three pounds of slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of bed and cultivating lightly. I prefer fertilizing trees in late September and early October to promote root growth.
These nutrients will still be in the soil come spring when plants start to grow. If you have a tree or shrub that does not flower well, a dose of super phosphate will help promote flower growth. However, if the plant is not located in the right spot, all the super phosphate in the world won’t make it flower.
Why You Should Fertilize Your Lawn In Fall
From grassroots to blade tips, feeding in the fall will do a whole lot of good for your lawn, both now and in the spring.
Fall lawn fertilizer will:
- Help rejuvenate and repair your lawn.
All lawns get stressed by summer heat, drought, heavy foot traffic, or a combination of those. Applying lawn food can help replenish frazzled, worn-out grass so it recovers quicker and better. Plus, a fall feeding provides a noticeable greening that lasts longer than an unfed lawn.
- Give roots a pre-winter nutrient boost.
Lawns get hungry, especially as they slow down at the end of the growing season. Fall lawn food helps your lawn grow stronger, deeper roots before cold weather and frozen soil set in.
- Make for a strong start to spring with a greener lawn.
During the dormant season, its natural for your lawns growth and energy to come to a near standstill. A fall feeding gives grass a big dose of essential nutrients to store for when theyre needed most: the spring growing season. Not only will that lead to a thicker, lusher lawn, but your grass will green up earlier by as many as 2 to 6 weeks!
In short, feeding your lawn in fall gives your lawn the strength, stamina, and support it needs to make it through the cold-weather months so it will emerge lush and green in early spring. Now thats time well spent!
*available in NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, AR, LA, FL, TX
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Apply Lawn Fertilizer In Spring
Deciding exactly when to apply lawn fertilizer depends on where you live. According to Scotts, you should apply lawn fertilizer between February and April when your grass starts to green up and begins to actively grow. Essentially, if it looks like your grass is ready for its first mowing of the season, then it’s ready for lawn fertilizer.
Giving your grass a good dose of lawn fertilizer in the spring sets the stage for a healthy growing season. It strengthens the roots and gives the grass a boost of nutrients to sustain it as it grows. The type of fertilizer you need depends on what type of grass you have and if you want to address other problems, such as weed prevention, or kill pests, like fire ants.
If you’re not sure what type of fertilizer to use, you can speak with your local garden center expert to find out what works best for your grass. Are you not sure what type of grass you have? Cut a small sample and take it with you to show the garden center expert.
To Figure How Much Nitrogen Fertilizer To Apply To Lawns:
- Divide rate of nitrogen desired by percent nitrogen in bag
- Multiply answer found by square footage of lawn and divide by 1,000
EXAMPLE: 15-5-10 fertilizer, 7,000 sq ft, want to apply 1 lb. nitrogen/1,000 sq ft
- 1 pound divided by .15 = 6.66, round to 6.7
- 6.7 multiplied by 7,000 = 46,900 divided by 1,000 = 46.9, or 47 pounds
Therefore, need about 47 pounds of 15-5-10 fertilizer to cover entire lawn
After calculating how much to apply, when to apply is the other important decision. Early fall is a key time for fertilizing lawns in northern Illinois. The schedule below outlines when to apply based on how many applications are to be made annually and desired lawn quality. Use controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers in May and September and a fast-release source in late fall. Consider Mother’s Day, Labor Day and Halloween as reminders or favorable times to fertilize lawns in nothern Illinois.
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Can I Fertilize My Lawn Every 2 Weeks
To avoid over-fertilizing, applying a fertilizer every two weeks is not recommended. Fertilizing as often as every two weeks will likely lead to problems such as lawn burn, excessive grass growth, as well as polluted water that can lead to toxic algae growth. A natural, healthier way of feeding your lawn every two weeks would be to simply leave the grass clippings on the lawn surface after mowing your grass.
Fertilizing Your Lawn During Winter
Healthy lawns need three major nutrients: Nitrogen , for dense green top growth, phosphorus for root growth, and potassium for general health. Lawns also need micronutrients and fertilizers can help supply these nutrients. When buying lawn fertilizer, you will see three numbers showing the N-P-K values . The numbers represent the percentage of each nutrient however, they do not add up to 100 percent. The other ingredients are inert material.
Warm-season lawns respond best to fertilization when the grass is actively growing, the temperature is warm, and the days are long. In southern states with mild winters, fertilize in spring when the growing season is in full swing. Also, wait until you have mowed once or twice. If you fertilize too early, youre promoting top growth of the lawn at the expense of healthy root growth. Youre also encouraging weeds.
Cool-season lawns should be fertilized in fall, when temperatures are cooling off but the grass is still growing. Fertilizing in fall, when temperatures are still in the 50s, will help grass plants keep their green color into the winter. More importantly, it will promote healthy root growth, which helps grass get off to a good start in spring. Never fertilize when the soil is frozen as it serves no purpose, and most of the fertilizer will wash away.
Whenever you use fertilizer, follow the directions on the label. More is not better.
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When Do I Put Starter Fertilizer Down On My New Grass Seed
Related Articles
One of the most frustrating situations when seeding a new lawn or repairing places in an existing one is doing all the work and watching the seeds sprout, grow and then die off. Although a variety of factors can cause this, improper fertilization is a common culprit. Seeds need nutrients to get off to a strong start, which is why applying starter fertilizer at the correct time is critical.
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Control Thatch In The Fall
Thatch harbours disease-causing organisms such as snow mould. In turf with excess thatch, the growing point of the plant is elevated above the soil. The soil has insulating properties that the thatch does not. Lawns with an abundance of thatch are more prone to winter injury. The ideal time for thatch control is the same as for overseeding and the first application of fall fertilizer. There are two major ways of controlling thatch – core aeration and dethatching. Core aeration cuts cylindrical plugs out of the lawn , breaking up the thatch and bringing up soil, which contains microorganisms, that help break down the thatch. De-thatching, or verticutting, is done by a machine that cuts into the thatch vertically, bringing up the debris, which is then raked up and disposed of.
Figure 2. Cylindrical plugs created by core aeration.
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What Is The Suitable Time Of Overseeding On Your Lawn
After preparing the areas of the lawn by mowing and raking, it is the right time to do the needful steps accordingly.
- Mow the lawn shorter than usual.
- Eliminate all the clippings from the lawn so that the lawn can get sunlight and water.
- Use a rake to loosen the soil of the lawn, so that seeds can well contact with soil, and have a chance to increase the development of seeds.
- Choose your seeds.
- Check the overseeding rate of the grass seeds.
- Use a spreader and spread seeds around the lawn according to the instruction given on the label.
- Spread seeds with a logical process like do it when air is quiet and avoid the windy day.
- Be ensured to distribute seeds equally.
When To Apply Lawn Fertilizer In Spring
If you fertilized your lawn the previous fall, especially late in the season, then the slow-release function of that fertilizer will help grass growth in the spring. Fertilizer manufacturers or lawn care companies may tell you to fertilize your lawn in early spring, but instead, consider the guidance by turf specialists and agronomists who say to hold off.
When cool-season grasses wake up in the spring, they enter a natural growth cycle when the root system begins growing and building carbohydrate reserves. Wait until the late spring just before the heat of summer begins and after the grass is thriving before you fertilize the lawn.
Feeding your lawn at this point prepares the grass for summer. During the hot summer months, the grass will begin to slow down carbohydrate production and begin to utilize the reserves. Adequately feeding 3/4 to 1 pound of slow-release nitrogen will allow the grass to rebuild its energy reserves and ward off the stresses of summer, such as drought, heat, traffic, disease, and insects. A polymer-coated slow-release fertilizer can feed the grass for up to 12 weeks.
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Do You Water The Lawn After Fertilizing
You should wait 24 hours before watering your lawn. Its important to make sure that it gets a good watering session after the 24 hour waiting period. The water helps break down thefertilizer and begin feeding it to your plants. If you wait too long to water, you may not be able to get the nutrients out of the soil.
State Laws About Fertilizing Lawns
Maryland protects the Chesapeake Bay from pollution by setting a cutoff date for fertilizing lawns: There is no lawn fertilizing allowed between November 16 and March 1. Many states limit phosphorus in lawn fertilizers, to cut down on the phosphorus algae bloom that pollutes streams, rivers and lakes.
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Liming And Fertilizing Established Lawns
VL004
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment StationValley LaboratoryEmail:
The amount of care one gives to a lawn depends on individual tastes. One person may be satisfied with a minimal maintenance program of regular mowing and occasional irrigation, liming or fertilization, another person might prefer a high maintenance program of regular liming, frequent fertilization, regular irrigation and mowing. Still another might prefer a moderate program somewhere in between. No one program is right. It is important to know one’s individual preferences and be aware of the steps to be taken to keep the lawn at that level of maintenance.
Liming. Turfgrass grows best in a soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5 . Most Connecticut soils are naturally acid and limestone is needed regularly to maintain the proper pH. If soil test results suggest the addition of limestone to raise the soil pH, the rate of application will depend on the texture of the soil. Coarse soils such as loamy sands or sandy loams usually require small amounts of limestone to reach the desired pH. Finer textured soils such as loams or silt loams require greater amounts of limestone to make the same pH change.
Summary
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.
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Why Is Fertilization Important
What Is The Best Time?
Your grass needs fertilizers, particularly phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen . It obtains these elements from the soil.
Although you have nutrient-rich soil, it might not be enough throughout the entire growing season. Standard care tasks that preserve your garden looking excellent might also deplete nitrogen levels.
Keeping your garden neat by removing fallen twigs, leaves, and clippings is essential, but tiny amounts of green waste return nutrients for plant growth.
Fertilizer supports nitrogen replenishment for optimal development and creates a dense, green mat of grass and plants rather than a lawn with brown areas.
Feeding your garden not only improves its appearance but may also aid in insect and weed management. Too much fertilization, on the other hand, can be harmful to both the environment and plants.
