Fertilizing 101
Ahh, your new yard! The grass is growing, you're mowing every week and things are looking pretty good. Now, let's keep it that way! Learn the basics of fertilizing because feeding your lawn at least once a year is going to be an important key to keep it looking good. If you want to go beyond the basics, check out the Yard Doctor section for more info or watch this how to fertilize video.
Why you should fertilize
Fertilizing gives your lawn the nutritional boost that it needs to stay green and healthy. Do it at least once a year, ideally, three times. Fertilizing helps your lawn get what it needs to grow in thick and green, squeezing out weeds and fending off disease. If you don't fertilize, your lawn will weaken and thin after a few seasonsand you can bet the weeds will move in! So let's take the mystery out of fertilizing and make it easy at the same time.
Quick tips for choosing fertilizer
- While comparing fertilizers at your local garden center or home improvement store, look for the words "slow release nitrogen" somewhere on the front of the bag. That's what you want to get to feed your lawn over a period of weeks.
- Look for the three numbers on the front of the bag: they may be 20-5-10. Or they may be something else. The most important thing to know without getting into the finer details is to choose a fertilizer with the biggest number listed first. That's the nitrogen content. And nitrogen is the most important nutrient for a healthy, mature lawn.
- If you're just starting a new lawn from seed or sod, you will want to fertilize that first time or two with a fertilizer that has a larger second number. That number is for phosphorous, the nutrient that really gets baby roots off to a good start.
How to get fertilizer from the bag to your lawn
First, be sure to view the how-to video on fertilizing video to learn how to do it right. If you'e never fertilized before, it walks you through the process step by step.
Here are the basics:
- Your first step is to do some reading: Take the time to read the directions on your bag of fertilizer. Remember to always follow the directions on the fertilizer bag. The directions will tell you how to set your spreader to get the right amount of fertilizer on your lawn. Be sure to set your spreader correctly, too. You don' want to over-fertilize, as it'l burn your lawn.
- Always fill your spreader on the driveway or other solid surface. Sweep up any spills and use the material again, or place it in a flowerbed. Don't wash it down the sewer.
- If you've never fertilized before, take a few minutes to get to know your spreader. Find the on-off handle and walk with your spreader. Once you get the hang of it, you're good to go!
- Start fertilizing. Walk at a normal pace. When you turn to go a different direction, turn off the spreader with the hand lever and then turn it on again when you start walking.
- Fertilize early in the day when there is dew on the lawn. This way, you can see your wheel tracks when you walk so you don't cover the same territory twice.
When to Fertilize
First, you only want to fertilize when your lawn is actively growing. You'll know it's growing because you'll be mowing it every week. Never fertilize during a drought. If for whatever reason you're only going to get around to fertilizing once a year, do it in fall if you live in the northern states and in summer in the South.
If possible, fertilize three times a year. Drag out the spreader within a few days of each of these holidays, so that you're sure to remember it:
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Memorial Day
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July 4th
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Labor Day
Have a great day in your yard!
