7 Tips for Fertilizing Your Lawn

Fertilize your lawn properly for a healthy turf that maintains a lush green color and dominates weeds. Fertilizing is one of the crucial factors affecting your lawn growth, and regular and correct fertilization promotes the growth and thickness of the grass. Following the proper lawn fertilizing tips, your dream of getting a beautiful, healthy green yard can become a reality. Many homeowners overlook lawn fertilization because they are still determining which fertilizers to use, when the best time to apply them is, and how to apply them. If done properly, fertilization can be manageable, causing more harm than good to your lawn.

If you are looking for the best lawn fertilization tips to achieve a healthy, lush yard, this post is for you. From choosing the right type of fertilizer to using the right amount, this lawn fertilizing guide will help you properly fertilize your lawn and keep your grass healthy.

Lawn Fertilization Tips for Healthy Yard

Here are some valuable expert tips for excellent lawn fertilization results. Follow the tips and boost the beauty of your yard.

1. Test the Soil Before Fertilizing

The first and foremost lawn fertilization tip is to conduct a soil test before applying fertilizer. You can only give your lawn an ideal dose of fertilizer if you know what nutrients the soil lacks and what it already contains. This crucial information can be gained by testing the soil before applying fertilizer. Without a soil test, it is difficult to find the nutrients lacking in it. Excessive nitrogen, phosphate, or sulfur can harm the plants.

Furthermore, determine your soil's pH level before applying fertilizer. Higher acidity or alkalinity of soil can impact the fertilizer application results. So, make sure your soil is in the ideal pH range. Lawn grass thrives in neutral soil with a pH range of 6-7. The best way to discover the right amount of N, P, and K for your grass is by testing the soil. You can use at-home soil kits for testing or send a soil sample to a local extension office for detailed results.

2. Use the Right Type of Fertilizer

The most crucial step is to buy fertilizer that suits your lawn needs and is designed especially for lawns instead of garden fertilizer. Lawn fertilizer contains all the necessary nutrients to maintain a healthy lawn and is made to reduce grass injury.

Fertilizers include three significant nutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Use soil test results to determine what N-P-K number your fertilizer needs. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient, as it boosts leaf growth. Phosphorus encourages seed, root, and fruit growth, while potassium enhances the plant's resistance to disease and extreme weather conditions.

There is a vast range of lawn fertilizers available on the market. Choose the fertilizer containing slow-release nitrogen since slow-release fertilizer feeds the lawn more uniformly and minimizes the chances of turf losing nutrients. On the other hand, quick-release, high-nitrogen fertilizers quickly boost growth and produce softer leaf tissues prone to disease. So, make sure you're choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn needs.

3. Wear Protective Gear and be Safety Conscious

Nitrogen in lawn fertilizer can cause chemical burns. To protect yourself and avoid complications, wear protective gear during fertilization, such as gloves, a mask, safety goggles, close-toed shoes, and long sleeves.

Moreover, pets and children should not enter the lawn shortly after fertilizer application. Ensure the fertilizer does not come directly into contact with the plant body; instead, it should be applied to the soil. All these safety measures and care will increase your chances of getting optimal fertilization results.

4. Apply the Right Amount of Fertilizer

Overfertilization can negatively affect your grass and environment. Rainwater washes away excess fertilizer into rivers, ponds, and streams, creating a toxic environment for aquatic organisms. Likewise, too little fertilizer can harm the health of your turf, depriving your grass of essential nutrients.

Always apply fertilizer responsibly, making the proper calculations to reduce the impact. Before starting, read the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions. The recommended amount of fertilizer will help your grass grow healthy and strong despite diseases and weeds.

5. Use a Fertilizer Spreader

Use a suitable fertilizer spreader to apply granulated fertilizer. Granular fertilizer is loaded into the spreader for even application. Applying granular fertilizer by hand is not recommended because it will result in uneven green patches of grass. The size and type of spreader will depend on your lawn size. Here are the three types of spreaders you can use for fertilization:

Broadcast or Rotary Spreader: This is best for fertilizing larger lawn areas, around 2,000 square feet or bigger. A rotary spreader distributes fertilizer 3-5 feet away using a spinning plate.

Drop Spreader: Use a drop spreader to fertilize smaller yards, less than 2,000 square feet. It is best for controlled fertilizer distribution. It differs from a rotary spreader because it drops the fertilizer straight on the ground between its wheels.

Handheld Broadcast Spreader: This small spreader is ideal for fertilizing tiny, tight lawn areas.

6. Check the Weather and Avoid Fertilizing in Extreme Weather

Always check the weather before applying fertilizer. Timing is everything in fertilizer application. Extreme weather, such as too much hot or cold weather, is not ideal for fertilizing your lawn. Avoid introducing fertilizer in such weather to keep your lawn healthy and green. The best fertilization results are guaranteed in ideal temperatures.

Moreover, if no rain is predicted for two to three days after fertilizing, you are good to go. A light rain a few days before fertilization is fine if the grass is dry. Some fertilizers like a bit of water, but none like a downpour. Heavy rain can wash away all the essential nutrients from the soil and flush them into water bodies.

7. Use Compost as a Fertilizer

The last lawn fertilizing tip on our list is to use compost. Many homeowners are trying out organic, eco-friendly lawn care practices, and compost intrigues them. Compost does more than just feed grass; it also feeds and builds soil.

Compost contains micronutrients, microorganisms, and organic matter that nourish the soil and promote a healthy environment for your grass. This organic fertilizer boosts soil health and is less likely to burn the grass. It helps replenish lost nutrients in your lawn. Spread a thin layer of compost in spring or early summer, mix it into the soil with a rake, followed by watering.

When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?

The best time to fertilize your lawn depends on your grass type, whether you have warm-season or cool-season grass. It is recommended to fertilize your lawn during the active growing season so it can properly absorb nutrients. The ideal time to feed your lawn is in spring (around March to April) when soil temperatures exceed 55º Fahrenheit, but this is not the only time your lawn needs fertilizer. You will also need to apply fertilizer in the summer and fall before the lawn becomes dormant for winter. Fertilize your lawn at least twice a year but not more than four times yearly.

Fertilize cool-season turf, including Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass, in late spring, early fall, or late fall. On the other hand, fertilize warm-season turfs, such as Bermudagrass, Bahia, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, in late spring or early summer.

What is the best time of day to fertilize? Feed your lawn in the early morning when the dew has dried but before the weather gets too hot. Fertilizer can burn the grass if exposed to the scorching sun. If not in the morning, the next ideal time to fertilize is in the evening.

Follow these effective lawn fertilizing tips, use the best lawn fertilizer, water properly using an efficient lawn sprinkler system, and achieve a thriving green lawn!