It’s that time of year again when the grass is growing and you have to start thinking about feeding your lawn. Fertilizing your lawn is an important part of keeping it healthy and looking good, but it can be tricky to know how to do it properly. Below we will look at 7 steps to properly feed your lawn, ensuring your grass is lush and healthy for the entire season.
Before beginning the process of fertilizing, you will want to make sure you have all the required materials on hand, which include:
Required Materials:
- Fertilizer
- Spreader
- Watering can or hose
- Broom
Determine the Fertilizer Type
First of all, you need to choose the right fertilizer. Not all fertilizers are created equal, and there are different types for different types of lawns. You want to find one that is specifically designed for your type of grass. There are also organic and synthetic fertilizers available, so you can choose whichever one you prefer.
Some common fertilizers are:
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
- Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition
- Espoma Organic Lawn Food
- Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster
All-natural fertilizers include:
- Fish Emulsion
- Blood Meal
- Bone Meal
- Compost Tea
- Corn gluten meal
Measure Out the Correct Amount
Once you have chosen the right fertilizer, you need to measure out the correct amount. This will vary depending on how big your lawn is and what type of fertilizer you are using. If you are using a granular fertilizer, for example, you will want to spread it evenly across the lawn. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, you will need to dilute it according to the instructions on the bottle.
Apply at the Right Time of Year
The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring when the grass is starting to grow. You don’t want to fertilize too late in the year, though, as this can actually cause damage to your lawn. Fall is the best time to apply a winterizer, which is a type of fertilizer that helps your lawn to withstand the cold weather.
Spread the Fertilizer
Once you have measured the necessary amount to adequately cover your lawn you will want to fill your spreader. There are different types of fertilizer spreads, so make sure you are using the correct one for your lawn. You don’t want to apply too much or too little, as this can cause problems.
When spreading fertilizer, always go in straight lines and make sure not to overlap. You want to be as consistent as possible so that your lawn gets even coverage. It is important to keep a safety zone of roughly 20-feet around wells and streams to ensure no fertilizer makes it way into water systems.
Water the Fertilizer In
After you have applied the fertilizer, you need to water it in. This is important because it helps the fertilizer to reach the roots of the grass where it can do the most good. Watering also helps to prevent the fertilizer from being washed away by rain or irrigation.
Keep Off the Grass
After you have fertilized your lawn, you need to keep people and pets off of it for at least 24 hours. This gives the fertilizer time to soak in and prevents it from being tracked into your home.
On-going Maintenance
It is common for the nutrients of your soil to slowly deplete and need replenishment after 6-8 weeks, or when the grass grows out and needs cutting. It is suggested that homeowners feed and fertilize their lawns about 4 times a year – once in early spring, once in late spring, once in late summer and finally, in the fall as preparation for the winter.
Feeding your lawn is a constant process that requires careful attention. If you want to leverage the benefits of healthy lawn, it’s important for homeowners to follow these steps. Not only will regular care and fertilization help your lawn look its best, but it will also ensure that it’s healthy and strong, less susceptible to disease and harsh weather and be able to recover quickly.
Though it may feel like a daunting task, keeping up with regular lawn maintenance will actually reduce the amount of work necessary to keep your lawn looking great. A little bit of effort now will save you time, money and frustration down the road!
