Using lawn fertilizers is an outstanding lawn care manner. It makes grass color better. Besides grass needs to be recovered from stress, like winter or dry months. If you are using lawn fertilizers, weeds will stay away from your grass and diseases too.
How To Choose Lawn Fertilizers?
There are a few important points to think about in how to choose lawn fertilizers.
Lawn fertilizer consists of Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These three nutrients your garden needs the most. But remember, don’t overdose. Too much nitrogen can cause extreme growth, leading to massive problems.
If you take a look at the fertilizer bag, you will see three numbers. These are percents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in lawn fertilizers. The first number is for nitrogen, the second for phosphorus and the third for potassium.
For Example – take a look at this lawn fertilizer. You will see numbers on the package – 10,0 and 6. It means – 10% of the full weight is nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 6% potassium.
Important! – Check what kind of nitrogen is used in the product. Nitrogen can consist of fast-release or controlled-release nitrogen. Check this table for advantages and disadvantages.
| Nitrogen Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Fast release: ammonium nitrate; ammonium sulfate | 1. Quick greening 2. When soils are cold it’s providing nitrogen 3. Inexpensive |
1. Can cause fast growth 2. Can burn your grass 3. Losses through soil or air. |
| Controlled release: (slow-release)sulfur-coated reactivated sewage sludge |
1. The grass is growing more solid and sprucely. 2. Can’t burn 3. Don’t lose through soil or air. |
1. Is working bad at cold soil 2. Expensive 3. Slow color change. |
There are many types of lawn fertilizers. There is a particular lawn fertilizer for winter or fall. They are made for winter/and falls because of their high potassium structure. I don’t think that there is any obstacle not to using it in the spring too.
Potassium helps for heat and cold tolerance, resistance to diseases and of course – stress release. If you have new or freshly laid sod, I suggest starter products. They will help the grass to grow and will kill all harmful weeds.
Nitrogen helps plants to survive the winter and the heat. Also contributes to survival if the soil is too wet. Also makes grass greener. That’s all for how to choose lawn fertilizers.
Lawn Fertilizer Tips
- Choose slow-release lawn fertilizers. You can wait longer between applications – every six to eight weeks.
- Don’t go over 25-0-6 percents.
- Go with granules
- Make first lawn fertilizers when the soil temperature is ~ 55 degrees (Fahrenheit).
- You will know when the temperature reaches 55 degrees because lilacs begin to blossom and the grass starts growing.
- Mid-April is the best month to fertilize
- Second feeding should be placed after 4 weeks.
- After the second week, put lawn fertilizers every six to eight weeks.
- Grass at the fall needs to be fed extra carefully, grass will need it more than in other seasons.
- On all packages there is an application rate – don’t follow it. Start out only with a half of it.
When you are ready to fill the spreader – don’t do it on the grass. Or if you are doing it – put a tarp under it. This will prevent fallen lawn fertilizers to burn the grass at that spot.
A broadcast spreader is a better choice than a drop spreader for homeowners. Broadcast spreaders are easier to use because they disperse the lawn fertilizers wider. The best thing about broadcast spreaders is that there’s less chance you’ll end up with strips in your lawn caused by not overlapping the rows correctly. Broadcast spreaders are much cheaper. They start at $32, while drop spreaders start at $84.
FAQs
What month should I fertilize my lawn?
When to fertilize: Apply early spring lawn fertilizer only once between February and April. This is when your grass is starting to develop color and become actively growing (usually around the time you first need to mow the lawn).
What is the good time should I fertilize my lawn in CT?
Fertilizing your turf is key to having a healthy, green lawn. The most effective times to apply lawn fertilizers are: early spring; late spring; early summer; late summer/early fall; and late fall or dormant period (after grass has stopped growing).
If it rains directly after I fertilize my lawn, what will happen?
There’s no need to worry if it rains after you fertilize your lawn. In fact, rainfall can actually be helpful! Water makes fertilizer easily absorb into the soil.
Is it okay if I mow and fertilize my lawn on the same day?
After you fertilize your lawn, it’s best to give the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium time to seep into the soil. If you do something drastic like cutting your grass too soon, this will interfere with how long it takes for those key ingredients to be fully absorbed. Our clients are always advised to wait 24-48 hours before mowing their lawns again.
Is it possible to fertilize and seed simultaneously?
Applying lawn fertilizers immediately before or after seeding your lawn is not a good idea. If you do, experts say you could damage the part of your lawn where the soil was most heavily fertilized.
Is it more beneficial to fertilize in the evening or morning?
By fertilizing your lawn in the morning, you can take advantage of cooler temperatures and morning dew. This process reduces the probability of burning the grass. As you spread the fertilizer, make sure to water it too so that nutrients will have a higher chance of reaching roots and being absorbed quickly.
Which is better: liquid vs granular lawn fertilizer?
✓ Liquid fertilizer is typically quicker than slow-release granular fertilizer. liquid fertilizer might be the better option if you’re needing to see results right away.
✓ Because liquid fertilizer provides nutrients immediately, it’s an ideal starter fertilizer for new lawns or gardens.
Conclusion
That’s all about lawn fertilizers. Hope you have read everything you need and your choice now will be much easier. If you need any help or any question, feel free to post a comment below at ForGardening.org. I will answer it as soon as possible.
