To maintain a beautiful and lush lawn, it is very important to fertilize your lawn appropriately throughout every year. Fertilizing your lawn on a consistent basis provides necessary nutrients and minerals that your lawn requires in order to grow properly and healthily. The type of fertilizer you use and when you use it will depend on your location and the type of grass you have. We will discuss some general tips about year-long lawn fertilization.
Fertilizer Basics
The most effective fertilizers release nutrients into the soil slowly over time, so as not to burn the grass and to maintain an appropriate and continuous pH level within the soil. Use of a slow release fertilizer, allows the grass roots to spread vigorously and evenly, filling up all bare spots and minimizing the space in which weed seeds could possibly germinate. Typical fertilizers will show the nutrient content on the bag, which is indicated by three numbers that represent the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium within the fertilizer. Nitrogen promotes plant growth and helps the grass turn and stay green and lush. Phosphorus encourages healthy and strong roots. Potassium promotes the production of flowers, aids cell function, and helps the grass absorb trace elements. Check the soil’s pH level at different times throughout the year to check for particular nutrients. Read all of the instructions on the package, failing to do so could result in an injury or a severely damaged lawn. Use a spreader to distribute the fertilizer and do not touch the fertilizer directly.
Spring
During the springtime, grass grows quickly and nutrients are necessary to sustain this growth and maintain health. Most experts recommend feeding a lawn in the late spring, which is around late May to early June in most areas. Use slow-release nitrogen to rebuild the carbohydrate reserves in the grass and protect against the stress of the oncoming summer months.
Summer
The summer months bring the need to strengthen grass to effectively stand up to foot traffic, insects, heat, and possible drought conditions. Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage greening and blade growth. There may also be a need to use weed control and pest control, but use these sparingly as they can burn the grass in the heat of summer. The best weed control treatments contain post-emergent herbicides that target weeds without damaging the grass.
Fall
A final feeding before winter is very important for a lawn. The grass needs ample nitrogen stored up in order to protect it against harsh winter conditions and to also get it ready to grow again in the spring. Fertilize the lawn with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the early fall. This will further encourage greening and blade growth.
Winter
Many lawn experts claim that the winter feeding is the most important fertilization application necessary for a healthy lawn. The grass may be dormant, but some extra care will give it a head start for the springtime. Fertilize the grass with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, when grass is in dormancy, any time between late October and early December. The phosphorus will stimulate root growth and make the grass more hearty, healthy, and resistant to disease during the harsh winter weather. With this extra phosphorus, it will stand up better to freezing temperatures and harsh snow. It may be necessary to spray pre-emergent in order to control the crab grass that is sure to pop up as soon as spring rolls around.
Outdoor Power Equipment
In order to further maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn, be sure to equip yourself with the latest in outdoor power equipment. Shank’s Lawn has a variety of tools and OEM parts that will make yard care a breeze. Homeowners and lawn care professionals can make use of their intuitive parts lookup tool to order the parts they need, and have them shipped directly to their door in no time.