These smart lawn fertilizing practices make way for a lush, easy-care lawn.
Max Kim-Bee
The right lawn fertilizing program can help you achieve the vibrant green grass of your dreams.
But figuring out how andwhen to fertilize your lawnin an effective and environmentally sustainable way can be daunting.
Credit:Max Kim-Bee
Then, use the following tips to feed your lawn properly.
Fertilize When Grass Is Actively Growing
Turfgrass takes up nutrients and uses them when it is actively growing.
Fertilizing dormant grass is a waste of fertilizer.
The product is not absorbed by plant roots and may leach into the nearby water system.
Not sure if your turf is actively growing?
If you are mowing, the grass is growing.
Over-abundant shoot growth is at the expense of root growth.
Concentrate on fertilizing turf in the fall.
Available online from a variety of soil-testing services, a good soil test provides turf-specific fertilizer recommendations.
Look for the words slow-release nitrogen on the fertilizer package.
Avoid Weed-and-Feed Products
Often, weed-and-feed products dont correspond to the needs of the grass.
Instead of a weed-and-feed product, choose a stand-alone herbicide and apply it at the right time.
Aimnot to store any fertilizer.
Think Green for the Environment
11.
Scientists have found thatleaving grass clippings on the lawnafter mowing replaces one fertilizer utility a year.
If you fertilize your turf three times a year, that could equate to a 33% savings.
If the turf doesnt green up, more fertilizer isnt the answer.
A soil, water, or climate factor is likely at play.
Consider Organic Fertilizers
Turfgrass can green up with the help of organic fertilizers.
However, organic fertilizers are usually less potent than synthetic products and require more frequent applications.
Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet with each utility.
If you leave clippings on your lawn, cut back to two applicationslate summer and fall.
Overlap the Passes
When spreading fertilizer with a rotary spreader, overlap your passes by about 50%.
Use a Winterizer Fertilizer
High in nitrogen and potassium, awinterizer fertilizer product is appliedin mid to late fall.
It helps grass store energy for winter and improves cold tolerance and disease resistance.
The healthy turf greens up quickly in spring.
Be Ready to Mow
A green lawn is a growing lawn, and a growing lawnrequires regular mowing.
If your lawn demands more frequent mowing than you like, cut back on the fertilizer.
The growth will slow, but the grass will likely remain green.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any fertilizer can burn grass if it is misapplied.
It can, but there are other causes as well.
Don’t overfertilize, and also check outhow to repair brown spot damagedone by those other causes.
Dont fertilize when it is extremely hot or cold because the grass wont absorb the nutrients well.
Alsoavoid fertilizing while it is rainingor immediately after a heavy rain to avoid washing some of the fertilizer away.
