Caring for plants or grasses is similar to people as it requires time and attention to grow healthy and beautiful. Growing a luscious and verdant lawn needs proper care and nutrition like human beings. Homeowners need to know and understand when to fertilize grass at the right timing, and balance in nutrients is vital for its health.
Knowing when to fertilize grass can build a healthy and robust lawn that is less susceptible to stresses like diseases and weeds. This article can provide useful information that you can apply to your lawn.
Fertilizing New Lawn
If you care for a new lawn from sod or seed planting, starter fertilizer is the right choice. A newly installed or seeded soil requires added nutrients such as phosphorus, which is essential to growing plants to support the healthy growth of the root system. Some places only allow fertilizer with phosphorus for new grass, so it is imperative to check with the local extension office.
Check the label for the new lawn owner to see the N-P-K ratio, the middle stand for phosphorus. In a regular lawn fertilizer, you will find the median number “0”, but with a starter fertilizer, you may find a ratio of 22-23-4, which is a good ratio that the soil needs.
You can find it on the packaging label with detailed instructions if you want to know when to fertilize grass for a new lawn. You need to follow the procedure for the best time to apply the fertilizer and apply it. For the seeded lawn, the best time to feed the soil is before planting the seeds. For sodded lawn, apply fertilizer right after sod installation.
Fertilizing Established Lawn
For an existing lawn, it is still vital to know when to fertilize the grass. It will ensure that your lawn will look at its best all year round, even with changing season.
Early Spring Time
The most appropriate time to fertilize grass soil is February to April when the temperature is warm. The timing of application is crucial, and you need to apply before germination. It can happen when the soil temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a soil thermometer for this purpose. Also, proper fertilizer distribution around the lawn is essential, so use a spreader as much as possible.
Late Spring Time
When to fertilize grass during this time is from April to June. It will help read the fertilizer label to determine which one is effective for your specific grass type. You may also ask for smart ideas from your sod provider or an experienced gardener. The best recommendation is to apply fertilizer in the morning when the lawn is still wet with morning dew and ensure no possible rain in the forecast for at least one to two days.
Summer Time
Knowing when to fertilize grass during the summer season is vital to help the grass withstand high temperatures and drought. The best month for feeding is between the periods of June to August. During this time, you need to observe a proper watering schedule to maintain the moistness of the soil because dry soil will not absorb nutrients from the fertilizer.
Late summer to Late Fall
This period is from August to November when grass growth slows down to prepare for the upcoming winter. The right amount of nutrition to the soil can keep your lawn healthy to withstand colder months.
Best Practices for Fertilizer Application
It is best to read and follow the guidelines and best practices to ensure safety as you apply fertilizer. Professionals suggest mowing the lawn for at least one to two days before applying fertilizer. Also, it is advisable to set the spreader according to the recommended setting on the label.
Another best practice is to do a test soil before applying any fertilizer. There are do-it-yourself kits for soil tests, or you can choose to send the soil sample to the testing lab. Soil testing can detect the pH level. Varieties of lawn grasses thrive in soil with pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.0. Fertilizers may not work efficiently in soil with too low or too high pH levels.
If you are using a drop spreader, it is better to start feeding on end to end of the lawn and do it back and forth to overlap every swath. It is advisable to begin at the lawn’s edge, go to the middle, and overlap when using a broadcast spreader. Know when to fertilize grass lawns so that you can save more time and effort.
