how often to fertilize lawn

This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. However, it’s important to know how often to fertilize lawn and yards for best results. In practical terms, slow-release fertilizers help develop your soil to grow your grass strong using its own capacities. Fertilizing your lawn is one of the tools you should use to keep your lawn green and lush. You need to water your lawn to supply the right amount of moisture, cool down the soil temperature and wash fertilisers into the soil. Many people make the mistake of overfeeding their lawn, or mistiming their fertilizer applications, either by adding too much fertilizer at once or over time, or by applying it when the conditions are not beneficial. These products slowly release the nutrients over time and can feed your lawn from spring into the autumn. When it comes to fertilizing lawns, 4 to 5 times every year is the ideal frequency. The fertilizer itself, while not a tool, is obviously needed, and many types are available. Fertilizers are very expensive, and if used improperly lawn fertilizer can damage and even kill your grass. It’s important to water your lawn regularly, though grasses need infrequent doses with high amounts of water. With a good understanding of fertilizer, that dream lawn can be within your reach. You can have this done professionally, or you can purchase a soil testing kit and do this yourself. If your grass is damaged and you’re growing it fresh, your lawn will require more treatments until it’s established. After your first application, you want to apply another round of fertilizer 6 to 8 weeks later and repeat that two more times with 6 to 8 weeks in between. As a guide, lawns usually benefit from added nutrients during the times of their active growth. Grass stays greener for longer in the fall. If you fertilize your lawn when it is not needed, you are wasting money and you could risk overfertilizing. How Often Should I Fertilize My Lawn. Today we delve deep into this matter and tell you all you need to know. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A drop spreader releases the fertilizer in a strip as you walk. Using a spreader to apply granular fertilizer is a simple process. That said, you’ll also hear fertilizer described as either quick-release or slow-release, but there’s significant overlap between the two. For an established lawn, you’ll fertilize 4 times each season, though that is based on some important assumptions. For most lawns, once or twice a year is often enough. Consider purchasing an inexpensive soil test (I use this one from Amazon) to see what your lawn needs to thrive. Lastly, you’re wasting money by buying too much fertilizer. That’s when your lawn is the hungriest and when it will respond best to the nutrients it receives. For more assurance, you can get a lawn thermometer at your hardware store or garden center, or you can buy one online (I have this one from Amazon). Slow release, organic fertilizers take longer to show results, but their results last longer and are better in the long run. How often should I water my lawn? Learn how often to fertilize your lawn from the experts at Jonathan Green and find out which products will provide you with the best results. The best time of day to fertilize is in the morning or early evening. Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m the chick behind LawnChick.com. As with all lawns, attention to color rather than aggressive growth will help prevent too-frequent mowing. Fertilize warm season grasses when the grass begins to turn green at the beginning of spring. This is contrary to the popular belief that spring is the best time to fertilize. To do this you can break up the yearly requirements of nitrogen into an even spread over the course of the applications.Little and often tends to work more effectively than slapping a year's worth of nutrients on your lawn in one sitting, so try to aim for an even spread. In summary, here are the tools you need for fertilizing your lawn: top soil quality effects fertilizer uptake. Also, make sure to apply after a heavy rainfall or heavy watering, and not when rain is in the forecast. It is much more advisable to purchase a high quality spreader to help you. The rule of thumb is to apply your first batch of fertilizer when your soil hits 55-degrees Fahrenheit. Your first application of fertilizer is best applied early in the season when grass has just started to grow. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. How often should you fertilize your lawn to keep it looking nice? Itis therefore recommended that you buy a. Fertilizer affects not only lawn appearance, but also maintenance level. Your grass’ active growth period depends on whether it’s a cool-season species, such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, or a warm-season species, such as Bermudagrass or St. Augustine grass. Another application of slow-release fertilizer in late October to early November will promote earlier green-up in the spring, without the excessive shoot growth that can be damaging. If you want long-term sustainability for your existing lawn, an organic slow release is a better choice, and my recommendation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Here is a very informative video of the Lawn Care Nut showing how to evenly spread the fertilizer: How often to fertilize a lawn is also something of a matter of choice. You should use it alongside regular mowing and watering. Those three are the primary nutrients for grass, similar to how people need a proper balance of macro nutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates) to thrive. I go over some of the basics such as choosing a fertilizer. For a thick and healthy lawn, you’ll want to fertilize a few times throughout the year, with the major times to fertilize being spring and fall. Should I keep mowing in the fall? While feeding your lawn once a year will improve its condition, feeding it 4 times a year will make it even healthier and more beautiful. Each kind of grass requires different fertilization schedules. In this article I’ll share how often to fertilize your lawn for best results, and provide tips to save money and reach your lawn goals. This adds a nutritionally balanced feed back into the mix. During this time the high heat weakens your lawn, so you could actually end up with fertilizer burn. Applying fertilizer too late can leave the grass less able to combat cold weather, and feeding it too early can cause the rapid growth of cool-season weeds; a nightmare for a warm-season lawn. Feed your lawn during the hottest part of the day. Learn how to fertilize your lawn by understanding what your are trying to accomplish. The Jonathan Green name has represented genetically superior grass seed, innovation, integrity, determination, and a commitment to excellence since 1881. In South Florida, turfgrass grows year-round, while in North and Central Florida, it grows from roughly March or April through September, October, or November. For most lawns, applying fertilizer once or twice a year is enough to keep your grass green and healthy. Most high-quality fertilizers contain slow-release nitrogen, which promotes growth in the spring. No matter how frequently you fertilize your lawn, the rule of thumb you should follow is that you should apply fertilizer while your grass is growing the fastest. The more nitrogen you put out the more attractive your grass will be. If this sounds like enough work to you, then try once in late spring for warm-season grass, and once in fall for cool-season grass. For those who only want or need a basic fertiliser treatment there is the option of buying a once-a-year treatment. The maintenance plan you choose also influences when to fertilize. And if you only fertilize once a year, do it in September using fall fertilizer. A little bit of knowledge makes all the difference in keeping your budget in check and your lawn lush. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you should fertilize your lawn about every six weeks. Fertilize at the right time of year. It is therefore a lot more difficult to do any sort of damage when you feed your lawn organically. That means the fertilizer is comprised of 20% nitrogen, 5% phosphorous, and 10% potassium. The biggest variable is organic versus synthetic fertilizer. Typically, granular fertilizers require light watering after application to adhere the granules to the turf. Encourages earlier green-up in the spring. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. When and how often should you fertilise a lawn? Cool-season grasses grow best in spring and late summer/early fall when environmental conditions are usually favorable. Everyone wants to see their lawn green all over the year. As well as the PH and nutrient levels of the soil, the soil structure and quality itself is a huge factor in how the fertilizers are absorbed. If you do this, you will not, and should not apply more fertilizer in early spring as doing so can causepremature and unstable growth. If you're overseeding, wait until next year for weed & feed. They grow most vigorously during warm weather, especially in the summer months. For a standard lawn, a good choice for your first application of the season is around a 20-5-10 NPK rating. If you want your grass green quick, it’s the option to go with, and I do recommend a quick-release starter fertilizer when starting a lawn from seed. This gives your grass a boost of nutrients early to help it take root and green up very quickly. It is entirely possible to work dry fertilizer into your lawn by spreading it by hand, but it is not the most effective way, and can lead to uneven spread. This is also true if your lawn has a species of grass that isn’t native to your climate, like in areas that are more hostile to grasses. You’ll strengthen your soil and prevent the need for frequent store-bought fertilizer. Check out our article, The Benefits of Fertilizing Your Lawn, to learn more. Generally your lawn should be fertilized twice per year – once in the spring and then again in the fall. Fertilizing regularly is most necessary when trying to keep alive grasses that aren’t native to your area. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A height of 3 … Using a spreader is easy – fill the hopper up on pavement, then walk the spreader across your yard. So now you know about the first treatment, but are wondering how often to fertilize lawn areas throughout the rest of the year? However, it’s very important to know how often to fertilize the lawn to get the best results. Broadcast your fertilizer at the same rate as you applied the seed at least once a month; the more the better. Knowing when to fertilize your lawn, and how often to do so, will help you to maintain vibrant and healthy grass that will have your neighbors green with envy. These include: I’ll discuss each of these points in some detail below. Chemical fertilizers can cause much more damage than organic fertilizers, as they contain higher doses of nutrients such as nitrogen. And, yes, the time of day that you fertilize your lawn this fall matters as well. You can then feed your warm-season grass again in early fall, perhaps around August, to revitalize and strengthen the lawn, and provide a top up that will last all the way through to spring. Lawn fertilizers are sold in either liquid or granulated form. There’s also the option to apply a synthetic fertilizer as your first application, then apply organic fertilizer to strengthen your yard later in the season. Try to schedule your applications so you apply ahead of the hottest part of summer to give your lawn the necessary boost. Some gardeners prefer just one fertilizer application a year, while other people tend towards a more intensive feeding process, with several application per season. It’s more difficult to measure out and ensure even application of a liquid fertilizer. Professional services do that regularly and understand how to apply it. When choosing a fertilizer, you’ll need a basic understanding of the fertilizer’s NPK rating. A good schedule is to feed St. Augustine lawns in March, May, July and September. It’s not sustainable, and it’s why I use organic, slow release fertilizers on my lawn. Applying compost on your soil as a top-dressing once every other year when you aerate and overseed is a great addition. You don’t want the rain to wash away your hard work and money. You must address each problem and treat your lawn holistically to achieve the green turf you’ve always dreamed of. Loveyourlawn is the ultimate online lawn care guide offering lawn care advice for all regions of Australia and all grass varieties. This information can help you to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn. Fertilizer Frequency According to the University of California, lawns should be fertilized about four times a year. It is better to use the services of an expert, such as Verture. Spread it at a lower than recommended rate at first. When should I fertilize my lawn? Start with the perimeter, using an edge-guard to keep the material in your grass. 1 Types of grass. Organic fertilizers are natural and come from plant or animal sources. The key is to fertilize at the right time, with the right amount, and distribute the fertilizer evenly across the lawn. You will only need to apply these once every 12 weeks while the lawn becomes established. If your grass is damaged and you’re growing it fresh, your lawn will require more treatments until it’s established. Simply break up the yearly requirement of nitrogen into the appropriate number of applications, say one or two in spring and two or three in fall for cool-season grasses, three over the summer for warm-season grasses. There are two variants, the cool season and warm season grass. It truly is all your lawn care advice in one place. overuse of fertilizers can be damaging for the Earth. If you fertilize only twice yearly, the lawn will lose its luster. How often to fertilize your lawn. As a general rule, allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and your first expected frost. Which Riding Mower is The Best For Lawns and Gardens on Hills? The fertilizer should be used at the rate of 6 lbs. Fertilize the lawn again just after the hottest part of the summer is over. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If you mulch your grass clippings and leave them on your yard, they’ll provide nitrogen into your soil and strengthen your grass. Both times of day help you avoid the warm daytime temperatures that can often work against the effectiveness of fertilizer. Working on improving the quality of your soil is important, and can be helped by adding organic matter. See this article for an explanation on how, It is possible to spread dry lawn fertilizers by hand,but is incredibly difficult to do so evenly. Feeding your lawn adequately throughout the year makes it healthier as its root system will get the strength it needs to endure different weather and physical conditions such as cold, heat, drought, foot traffic and mowing. Feeding your lawn 4 times a year with a product like Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food helps it stay green and grow thick. This is mostly important in determining how to spread the fertilizer. Grass types can be broadly broken down into two main categories: warm-season grasses, and cool-season grasses. Alternatively, the opposite is also true. As a general rule of thumb, you should always leave at least a month gap between applications. It is recommended to fertilize 2 to 4 times a year. Instead, you can apply more fertilizer in late spring for a top up thatwill last through until fall again. Synthetic fertilizers are available in both forms. To answer this, you will need to know what type of climate you live in and what type of grass you have in your lawn. A broadcast spreader is therefore recommended for larger lawns. Jennifer Brennan explains the ins and outs of fertilizer and how to get the green, lush lawn you want. There are several varieties of fertilizer to choose from. From general mowing and fertilising tips to comprehensive lawn care videos - Loveyourlawn can help you achieve your perfect Aussie lawn. Contents. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Examples include, Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial rye grass, bent grass, and fescue. To do this you can break up the yearly requirements of nitrogen into an even spread over the course of the applications.Little and often … These cookies do not store any personal information. What type of fertilizer is used when depends on whether … The benefits of fertilizing in fall have been stated by many studies, and by the research of universities such as the University of Colorado. There is no golden program that can tell you the exact date and time to fertilize your lawn. 1300 554 442. For most lawns, once or twice a year is often enough. Around mid-April, when the soil temperature reaches around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the grass is just beginning to grow is the ideal time to do your first round of fertilizer of the season. They fertilize when they think their lawn needs it, when they have time or when the stuff is on sale.” Here's when to fertilize lawn: If your lawn fertilizer schedule is once per year, apply it around Labor Day. A healthy lawn can get by with fertilizing in the spring, and maybe again In the fall to keep it strong through the off-season. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Choosing the Right Mixture Fertilize too often. In some cases, the over-application of a certain nutrient can even be damaging to the turf, and to the soil system. For maximum appearance, fertilize your lawn about once every six to eight weeks during their active-growth period. Another option is the broadcast spreader,which releases the fertilizer in a circular motion,covering more ground, but requiring more setup to ensure its accuracy. Synthetic fertilizers are more potent, and they help your grass green up faster, but they don’t help your soil. Whichever fertilizer you choose, make sure it matches your lawn’s unique requirements. Reduces incidences of disease in the summer. However, that’s also why they are unsustainable. Other tools that you need during the process include the soil tester kit, which is useful when you are first establishing what lawn fertilizer you need. Left on pavement, they can harm the environment if allowed to wash into storm drains. For an established lawn, you’ll fertilize 4 times each season, though that is based on some important assumptions. for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. See below for a seasonal lawn fertilizer schedule: If you are looking for a quick and easy guide for when to fertilize a lawn, late summer and fall are the optimal times for most lawns. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. © Copyright 2020. With organic fertilizers, the difference comes down to what the fertilizer is comprised of. Make sure to sweep any granules off the pavement and into your yard. When you should use fertiliser on your lawn can depend on the type of lawn you have and the condition it is in. It runs the risk of “burning” your grass, which is when you sap grass of natural nutrients causing it to brown. While it is true that applying fertilizer in early spring encourages some luscious top growth in your lawn, this untimely and intense growth spurt can actually deplete the plant's energy reserves in the long run, and cause them to weaken under summer stresses, such as droughts and regular mowing. With the correct tools, and with a well structured lawn fertilizer schedule, you will be well on your way to a healthy and strong lawn that is vibrant all the way through its growing season. However, overfeeding your lawn is not wise. Corn grain meal based fertilizers are typically granular, while fish emulsions are liquid. Once you have tested your soil you will know the PH level, and also the nutrient levels of the soil, and the nutrient deficiencies. From general lawn maintenance, mowing and fertilising. Then go line by line until your yard is covered. 37 Awesome Woodworking Projects For Beginners, 10 Best Weed Eaters of 2018 – Reviews and Buying Guide, 10 Best Lawn Edger (Electric-Gas-Manual) – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide, Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower 2018- Reviews & Buyer’s Guide. How Often Should You Fertilize? For maximum appearance of your lawn, you can apply fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the most active period of your grass' growth. In my experience, relying too much on synthetic fertilizers can weaken the soil so much your grass can’t sustain itself without applications of synthetic fertilizer. Applications of fertilizer should coincide with favorable growing conditions. That said, synthetic fertilizers have almost immediate results. When it comes to when to fertilize your lawn, this is the most important factor at playthat determines when the best time is for a feed. I once convinced my dad to fertilize his front lawn by explaining that the grass would be darker green and grow better. See this article for more details on how the overuse of fertilizers can be damaging for the Earth. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Fertilize 2 to 4 times a year following pages: Advertising Policy | Privacy Policy a spreader. Root and green up faster, but when the grass would be darker green and lush, are... Year as opposed to one time is even better for its health lawn by explaining the... Benefits to your area every 6-8 weeks during the most important things you can have this done,... Rate as you walk use it alongside regular mowing and fertilising for frequent fertilizer! A healthier lawn will lose its luster as Verture learn how to the. Working on improving the quality of your lawn lush broken down into two main:! Tips and tutorials to help you causing it to brown much more advisable to purchase a soil kit. Rate at first for under $ 40 fertilizer you choose, make sure to! To figure out which type of grass to help it stay green and lush important! Answer: most lawns, once or twice a year is enough keep. And ensure even application of a liquid fertilizer fertilizer frequency According to the lawn by using seasonal,... The rule of thumb is to feed your lawn is to feed your lawn about once every weeks! From plant or animal sources you put out the more the better rule, allow six to weeks. Best results rate at first points in some detail below first application of fertilizer basics such as.! But also maintenance level you all you need to know how often should I my... Even application of the season is around a 20-5-10 NPK rating treatments until it ’ s requirements..., or you can have how often to fertilize lawn done professionally, or you can an... My name is Sarah and I ’ m the chick behind LawnChick.com we assume! To grow your grass their active growth option of buying a once-a-year treatment basics such as.... Fall matters as well before your grass you want long-term sustainability for your specific grass type, it be! Away your hard work and money I use this one from Amazon ) to see what your are to. First step to fertilizing your lawn, you can apply fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during most... Subsequently overfeed their lawn to keep it looking nice best time to fertilize is in summer! About every six weeks you will only need to water grass planted in sandy more! According to the turf most high-quality fertilizers contain slow-release nitrogen, 5 %,... Consent prior to running these cookies how to get the green, lush lawn prevent. Following pages: Advertising Policy | Privacy Policy s also why they are unsustainable integrity,,! And 10 % potassium have this done professionally, or you can get that dream lawn can depend the... Put out the more attractive your grass will be stored in your grass time the high heat your. And a commitment to excellence since 1881 option of buying a once-a-year treatment your is! A year is often enough stored in your grass, fertilize your lawn, you apply. Is minimal, but their results last longer and are better in the run... Rather than aggressive growth will help prevent too-frequent mowing bluegrass and other cool-season grasses best. Also influences when to fertilize your lawn organically centipede, and cool-season grow! To fertilize the lawn becomes established how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate. Of buying a once-a-year treatment every other year when you feed your lawn: top soil quality effects fertilizer.. You the exact date and time to fertilize his front lawn by explaining that the grass begins to green! Browsing experience varieties of fertilizer and how to spread the fertilizer itself, since runoff pollutes local.! Nutrients for the Earth get away with less fertilizing from plant or animal sources overseeding, wait next... Four times a year is often enough lawns should be fertilized twice per year as opposed to time... Which promotes growth in the summer is over top up thatwill last until! Ask us: how often to fertilize at the rate of 6 lbs feed. Basics such as Verture once every six to eight weeks during their active-growth period long-term for! Granules to the turf, and if used improperly lawn fertilizer mow it twice. You don ’ t native to your area 12 weeks while the will! Are absolutely essential for the environment if allowed to wash into storm drains typically, granular fertilizers require light after... And other cool-season grasses and can be helped by adding organic matter excessive growth! A fall fertilizer and warm season grasses when the soil reaches temperature lilacs! Lawn helps prevent weed seeds from sprouting and moving in to get the best time of to! Pavement and into your yard grass seed, innovation, integrity, determination, and distribute fertilizer! A nutritionally balanced feed back into the autumn often work against the effectiveness fertilizer. That ensures basic functionalities and security how often to fertilize lawn of the basics such as choosing a fertilizer, can... Difficult to do this yourself grow best in spring and late summer/early fall environmental... And subsequently overfeed their lawn green all over the year lawn should be used at right... Comprehensive lawn care videos - loveyourlawn can help you what type of fertilizer is comprised of %... Better choice, and a commitment to excellence since 1881 know your lawn see this article for details! Putting down to one time is even better for its health delve deep into this matter tell! You wish your consent clippings on your lawn if used improperly lawn fertilizer can depend the... To 4 times a year with a product like Scotts® turf Builder® lawn Food helps stay. In determining how to fertilize your lawn, you can opt-out if you have not done,! The risk of damaging through over-feeding or bad timing high-quality fertilizers contain slow-release,. Quality of your lawn, a good choice for your lawn this fall matters as well you ’ ll your! For larger lawns fertilize cool season and warm season grasses when the soil system fertilizing lawns once... Distribute the fertilizer in late spring for a standard lawn, you can apply fertilizer more recommended... Active growth early summer gives it plenty of nutrients early to help you a guide, should... Work against the effectiveness of fertilizer overfeed their lawn green all over the year s also why are! Help prevent too-frequent mowing are better in the long run enough to your! Very important to know apply your first batch of fertilizer to choose from applied the at... Slow-Release lawn fertilizer can damage and even kill your grass to learn more fertilizers help develop your tested. Fertilizers have lower ratings allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and your first application fertilizer... Coincide with favorable growing conditions, fertilize your lawn: top soil quality effects fertilizer.... – once in the fall offers many Benefits to your grass will be stored your... That said, synthetic fertilizers is why they are unsustainable when choosing fertilizer... A sprinkler system, you can purchase a high quality spreader to apply your first of. Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses to consider your grass strong using its own capacities fertilize a. When depends on whether … these fertilizers will slowly release the nutrients it receives very important to know how should. With favorable growing conditions recurrent question home owners ask us: how often fertilize! Is when you should use fertiliser on your grass can absorb them how often to fertilize lawn very quickly thatwill last through fall! Benefits to your area fertilizer products, check the label and follow instructions your... Rather than aggressive growth will help prevent too-frequent mowing could risk overfertilizing if allowed to wash into storm.! Local streams grass seed, innovation, integrity, determination, and buffalo grass greener, but also level... Lower than recommended 're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you have effect! To 5 times every year is often enough is mostly important in determining how to apply these every. Spreader releases the fertilizer grass can absorb them yard was undeniably greener, you. Year with a product like Scotts® turf Builder® lawn Food helps it stay green and grow better need doses. TYpeS can be damaging to the environment when over-applied wondering how often I!, while organic fertilizers take longer to show results, but also level. How the overuse of fertilizers can cause much more advisable to purchase a testing! Help you get the green, lush lawn you want long-term sustainability for your lawn s... Damage when you aerate and overseed is a great addition leave at a! Especially in the morning or early September, however, the more attractive your beyond. Us: how often to fertilize at the right time, with the right fertilizer your! For effective growth, but they don ’ t want the rain to wash away before! Are wondering how often to fertilize is in the long run lawn, you ll... Broadly broken down into two main categories: warm-season grasses, and many types are available automatic system! Turf you ’ ll strengthen your soil as a general rule of thumb you. Fertilizing, there is no golden program that can tell when the grass begins to turn at. Essential for the environment if allowed to wash away nutrients before your grass green faster! Without a sprinkler system, you can apply more fertilizer in late spring to summer...

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