Fertilizing your lawn is vital to its good health and lush growth. So today we’ll discuss everything you need to know about doing it right.
That way, your lawn can grow up healthy and strong. Because fertilizer is what gives your lawn its “super powers”.
Or it at least makes you look like a superhero when neighbors look over your fence.
So here’s a good question. How do you fertilize your lawn?
Maybe you come from the school of thought of throwing fertilizer on the ground and hoping for the best. But come on now. You know that’s not the best plan.
There’s a method to lawn care success.
Step one. Make sure to water your lawn BEFORE you fertilize.
Do this a couple of days before you fertilize. This helps ready your grass for fertilizer.
Step two. Add your fertilizer.
Start at the outer edges of your lawn and work in. When you work this way, you best ensure that you won’t miss a spot.
Also, make sure you pick the right spreader. For instance, a Broadcast Spreader is good for small lawns. A Drop Spreader is great for more controlled distribution with typical suburban lawns.
Fill the hopper of your spreader and turn it to the correct setting for your fertilizer. You’ll find that information on the package.
Step three. Water a second time.
This helps make sure your fertilizer doesn’t just sit on lawn blades. And it makes sure that it gets deep into your soil and lawn.
Because your fertilizer won’t help your lawn care unless it gets into the soil.
As a side note, make sure to aerate your lawn before you fertilize. Soil Aeration is a process of breaking up the soil to help your lawn breathe.
But is there a best time to fertilize?
Maybe procrastination is your thing. So you fertilize whenever you finally can’t put it off any longer. Or when you just happen to see an opening in your schedule.
But is this the best plan?
Ideally you’ll fertilize your lawn about twice a year. And you don’t want to over-fertilize. That will do more harm than good.
The best time of year to fertilize is when your lawn is in a state of growth.
Do you have warm season grass or cold season grass?
Cool season grasses are common in the northern parts of the US. These grasses have two periods of rapid growth. This is first thing in the spring, and then again in the fall.
Warm season grasses are more common in the southern parts of the US. And these grasses tend to experience the most growth in the spring and summer.
So ideally, you’ll fertilize during your lawn’s period of active growth. Not just that one Sunday when there doesn’t happen to be a good game.
Anything else to keep in mind when fertilizing your lawn?
Here’s some other considerations when it comes to fertilizing your lawn. And they’re worth noting.
Mulch your clippings
When you mow your lawn, the grass clipping can be used as natural fertilizer.
This is one of the reasons robotic lawn mowers can be so valuable. Because they run so often, they create smaller clippings. And when these small clippings go back to your grass, they help mulch it and make it healthier.
This is the perfect natural fertilizer. And it’s free and requires no extra effort. All the benefit and no work!
Don’t over-fertilize your lawn
Maybe you’re an overachiever. So you think that if a little is good, more is even better.
But save your overachieving self for another day. Because this won’t help your lawn
Because your lawn needs fertilizer. But it needs just enough – but not too much.
Too much fertilizer will raise nitrogen levels. And this can leave yellow or brown patches you don’t want.
Pick your fertilizer with care.
Since fertilizer is fuel for your lawn, you want to feed it well.
Choose fertilizers that contain slow release nitrogen. These help feed your grass more evenly and help your lawn receive more of the nutrition it needs.
And you may want to consider composting your lawn if you’re looking for a more organic option. This option also slowly releases nitrogen to your grass for a healthier lawn. You can even add worms which improve the health of your soil.
Everything about fertilizer.
Now that you know how to properly fertilize your lawn, you’re the superhero of your yard.
In fact, now you’ll be excited to fertilize. Because you know that the little work you’re doing now will make your yard lush and beautiful for the entire season!
And hey, you can even wear a cape while you do it. We won’t judge.
