Fertilizing

Easy Ways to Keep Grass Green and Healthy

  • What type of fertilizer should I use?
  • When should I fertilize my lawn?
  • How do I apply fertilizer?

The Right Food for Healthy Grass

Nitrogen(N) is, by far, the most abundant element found in plants and also the one most supplemented. Potassium(K) is second, followed by phosphorous(P). Each is critical for plant growth, development and recovery from injury. Excessive or deficient amounts of these nutrients can lead to unwanted problems, so proper timing, amount and application techniques are critical. Vast differences in climate, soil type and grass species make it impossible for a single fertilizer program to cover all types of lawns.

Optimal Fertilizing Time

Simply stated, fertilize when the lawn is actively growing; leave it alone when it is not. Fertilizer cannot make a lawn grow when environmental conditions (temperature, water, light) aren't right. The active growth times for cool season grasses are when temperatures are between 60 degrees and 80 degrees. Therefore, apply fertilizer during active growth times to build roots and strengthen the plants so they can survive periods when growth is not as active and there is greater potential for stress.

Applying Fertilizer Like a Pro

  1. Buy a quality spreader. Inexpensive ones will break down while a good quality spreader will last a lifetime if cared for properly.
  2. Always wash the spreader after use. Because of its salt properties, most fertilizer is very corrosive.
  3. Apply fertilizer during ideal conditions. The best conditions combine freshly mowed grass, no wind and light dew still on the ground. This will keep the spreader accurate over a smooth ground with its tracks visible.
  4. Know the spreader’s capabilities. Most rotary spreaders cover a swatch 6 to 8 feet wide. Keep the wheel tracks at least that far apart on every pass for best results. For added confidence, set surveyor flags at the ends of your yard, 8 feet apart, to provide reference points for an even application.
  5. Avoid skips in the fertilizer by cutting the amount in half and traveling in two directions. This trick, used by the pros, is the biggest reason why you don’t see streaks caused by too much fertilizer at golf courses and baseball diamonds.
  6. Start walking before turning on the spreader and shut it off before you stop walking. This trick will prevent over-applications. Keep the spreader off when turning around. Instead, make one pass around the perimeter of the yard to even out the application.
  7. Use the spreader setting guidelines on the fertilizer label. Remember that there will be variations among various models of spreaders.
  8. Avoid using products with large particles in rotary spreaders. Products with larger particles are better suited for drop spreaders. Sufficiently applying fertilizer with a drop spreader requires overlapping each pass by at least the width of the wheels.
  9. Water the lawn. Improve the fertilizer's efficiency by watering the lawn soon after an application. Better yet, try applying fertilizer just before it rains.

Finally, it’s easy to be environmentally conscious when using fertilizer. Try these tips:

  • Leave your grass clippings on the lawn. This simple gesture saves 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per year.
  • Consider adding a liquid fertilizer application to lawn irrigation systems.
  • Keep fertilizer out of waterways. Use a drop spreader for accuracy around sensitive areas.
  • Clean up spills and sweep up driveways and walks to prevent runoff.