How to Fertilize a Lawn Successfully

How to Fertilize a Lawn?

If you are new to gardening. You need to understand how equally important it is to know how to fertilize a lawn to keep the grass alive? Here we discuss the benefits and the science behind properly fertilizing your plants and shrubs.

The fertilizer provides grass and plants a vital nutritional boost on the flip side even plants residing in great soil will eventually absorb and deplete essential nutrients and may need to be fertilized too at the root of everything.

What you need to understand is it for the most part all plants need six essential nutrients. Oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen come from above the ground in the air in the rain, and nitrogen phosphorus and potassium come from the soil in which the plants are living.

Every bag of fertilizer contains three numbers (N-P-K). These represent the three nutrients your plants and lawn rely on the sole to provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The bigger the number, the more of that element or nutrient there is in the bag of fertilizer.

Let say, 15-30-15 is made up of 15% of nitrogen, 30% of phosphorus, and 15% potassium. All these nutrients are important for your plant’s health.

Nitrogen faster leaf and vegetation development. Phosphorus aids in root development and is responsible for flower and fruit production and potassium helps roots regulate water and move nutrients to plant cells properly as well as promotes disease resistance.

Plants need varying proportions of nutrients based on their unique circumstances. So, all-purpose fertilizers are those with equal parts N-P-K. If overall plant growth is your primary objective choose a fertilizer with a higher first number or nitrogen proportion to promote lush green growth. Most all grass fertilizers will have a greater percentage of nitrogen.

If root growth or fruit and flower production are what you’re seeking. Go with a fertilizer high in phosphorous.

Potassium-rich fertilizers increase disease resistance. So, always read the label before buying any fertilizer.

Overfertilization will lead to burnt root systems and possible soil toxicity. Always distribute granular fertilizer at the plant’s root zone. This area is also where water generally drops from the outer leaves and will direct a fertilizer. Always water dry fertilizer in. This will activate the fertilizer as well as mitigate root burn.

How Often to Fertilize a Lawn?

Fertilize the grass and vegetables in early spring. Just before the new shoots begin emerging. Lawns trees and shrubs should be fertilized in early spring and then again in early fall.

Apply the best lawn fertilizer when you see spots on the lawn or the grass is not dark green. Do not apply fertilizer more than twice a year. Make sure to apply fertilizer during the morning on a sunny day.

Best Time to Fertilize Lawn Before or After Rain?

The best time to apply water is 24 hours after the application. If heavy rain is expected in the next 24. Then do not apply the fertilizer. Because it can wash the fertilizer off into the water channels.

Make sure, to apply fertilizer to a wet lawn. Most fertilizers can be applied to either a wet or dry lawn. If you’re applying a weed and feed product, you need to apply to wet grass that helps the particles adhere to the weeds for best results.

How to Use Lawn Fertilizers?

First, apply the water 2 to 3 days before applying the fertilizers. That will help the material adhere to the grass and the soil will be more likely to accept lawn fertilizer.
Mow the grass.
If you are applying granular fertilizer. Buy a fertilizer spreader according to the lawn area. If your lawn is small. A drop spreader is best for you. Otherwise, buy a broadcast spreader for a large lawn area.
Make sure, to do not apply more than the recommended amount on the label.
Make sure, to keep pets, and children, away from the area during the application.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Fertilizer?

First, identify the type of nutrient your lawn or plants needed. You can identify it through a soil test. A soil test will help you in selecting the right fertilizer for your lawn.

Second, identify the type of grass on your lawn. If your lawn has St. Augustine grass, and you apply the fertilizer that is not recommended for it. Then there are more chances that your lawn will burn.

Conclusion

Reference

https://extension.psu.edu/turfgrass-fertilization-a-basic-guide-for-professional-turfgrass-managers

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0151919

https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2020.00063

RickyMartin

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I am Ricky Martin, a seasoned landscape designer, a passionate gardener, and a barbecue enthusiast. With 12 years of experience in building and restoring, I welcome you to my website lawnscanner.com