To keep your lawn in good condition, it would help if you fertilize it properly. Of which, knowing when to apply lawn fertilizer is quite important. Green and healthy lawns definitely depend on the right-timed balanced nutrition to grow best.
To help you get a stunning lawn, Gardening 101 are providing some helpful information in today’s article. Are you tempted to know? Let’s get the ball rolling!
When To Apply Lawn Fertilizer
We are pretty sure that following a right lawn fertilizer schedule will help you keep your lawn looking great all the time. And below is our recommended four-part program for you to consider.
Part 1: Early Spring
In the months from February to April, weed seeds will begin to germinate due to the warm weather. Therefore, you should thwart the weed growth and applying fertilizer in your lawn in the process. It would be best if you hindered the new weeds before the roots are established and continue to control new weeds for five months.
Timing is essential for this part. Please ensure fertilizers are applied before the germination of crabgrass seed. This act is considered as the crabgrass preventer. To get the best result in your lawn care, you could feed with a spreader to actively-growing turf and provide the lawn 5 inches of water at least within fourteen days.
Plus, you should choose suitable types of fertilizer that contains fast-acting nitrogen for instant greening or slow-release nitrogen for extensive feeding for three months. Organic fertilizing is also a great idea for you to consider.
One important note is that follow the product label instruction for your particular grass type. Grasses could be categorized into two main groups: coolseason grasses and warmseason grasses.
Part 2: Late Spring
Meanwhile, from April to June, existing weed could actively grow. You should choose weed and feed fertilizers in combination with broadleaf weedkillers with nutrients to fertilize lawn.
Again, do not forget to check weed and feed labels for the type of grass and carefully follow the instruction. Weed and feeds are effective most when weeds are small and young. To get the best results, please fertilize lawn in the early morning when your lawn grasses are wet.
Just in case you intend to overseed, it would help if you avoid weed and feed for about 4 weeks before. And in the post-overseeding period, you’d better wait until the next lawn mowers. For plugging, sprigging, and sodding, 4 weeks of waiting is recommended before the weeds and feed so that new grass could begin with no delay.
Part 3: Summer Months
In this part (between June and August), right feeding lawns would help to strengthen your lawns against drought and heat. In this part, you should choose a type of fertilizer that contains enough essential nutrients like iron to get a lush green lawn.
Part 4: Late Summer To Late Fall
In the period of August and November, your grass will slow down and prepare for the winter season. At the similar time, broadleaf weeds begin active growth again. Generally, you should allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and the first-expected frost.
How long should you wait to water after you fertilize?
It depends. Ideally, if you apply dry fertilizers, it would help if you immediately water the lawn. Instant watering after fertilizing your lawn could thwart a lot of issues that probably become worse if your fertilizers sit on your lawn long.
That said, you had better wait 24 hours to water your lawn after feeding it in the cool condition or when you use slow-release fertilizers.
Applying Lawn Fertilizer Tips
Time To Fertilize Lawn
You might not know this, but the best time to fertilize is in the Spring. In this season, the soil temperatures reach about 55 degrees F. You might not know this but, the grass grows well at that time. That’s why Spring is ideal for you to fertilize the lawn.
Get the Numbers In Fertilize Label
When you buy lawn fertilizer, you will quickly notice three numbers on the fertilizer label. They respectively represent the proportion of nitrogen phosphorus, and potassium. They are all vital nutrients that are necessary to keep your lawn green and healthy.
For instance, a 20-5-10 unit of fertilizer will contain 20% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The remaining is usually filler material, which helps to make sure even fertilizer applications. And this percentage is also a standard mix to use in the Spring.
Apply Slow-release Lawn Fertilizer
You might not know this, but slow-release fertilizer could break down nutrients over a more extended time so that you could wait longer after each time of application. It is also recommended to use a slow-release fertilizer containing a small amount of nitrogen. This will help your lawn look beautifully green.
Go With Granules
For home gardening, granular fertilizers are an excellent choice. They are very easy to apply using drop spreaders or broadcast spreaders.
Moreover, it is worth noting that when you apply granular fertilizers, the spreader could sometimes throw the lawn food onto the driveway, patio, and sidewalk.
Therefore, you should sweep it up rather than leave it there for the rain to wash away. If you do not collect it, it could lead to extra pollution. Sweeping up the excess fertilizer is needed for our environment.
Just one of the safety tips, once you finish applying fertilizer, you should pour the rest fertilizer out of the spreader to the fertilizer bag. Remember to seal it tightly and store in a dry and cool place where your kids and pets could not reach.
Final Thoughts
Now you know when to apply lawn fertilizers. We hope this article will be helpful to your lawn care. In short, we would like to point out some critical points in this article.
Firstly, you should keep in mind to check product labels carefully to get the ingredients of the fertilizers. Plus, it would be better to apply lawn fertilizers in the Spring to get the best results. And lastly, water is needed right after you fertilize the lawn.
By the way, if you have any other ideas, please let us know in the comment box below.