Apply first dose of fertilizer. Treat for crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide Herbicides, also commonly known as weedkillers, are substances used to control unwanted plants. Selective herbicides control specific weed species, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed, while non-selective herbicides can be used to clear waste ground, industrial and construction si…Herbicide
How to prepare your lawn for fertilizer?
1. Water your lawn. A few days before you feed your lawn, give it a good watering. That will help ensure your soil is ready to accept lawn fertilizer. 2.
Why are fertilizers important in lawn care?
Fertilizers are important in lawn care because they supplement the soil with needed nutrients. Nutrients are needed by grass plants because of the many stresses people apply to them. Grass uses nutrients to repair damage done by normal wear and mowing. Other plants in the landscape, such as trees, flowers and weeds, also consume the nutrients.
How long does it take for fertilizer to work on grass?
Fertilize six to eight weeks after first dose. Treat for fungus, if necessary. Fertilize six to eight weeks after second dose. Mow and water until grass turns brown. When grass greens up again, apply final dose of fertilizer.
How do you fertilize Your Lawn after a second dose?
Fertilize six to eight weeks after second dose. Mow and water until grass turns brown. When grass greens up again, apply final dose of fertilizer. Rake leaves. Continue mowing until grass stops growing.
What is the first step in fertilizing your lawn?
Here's how to do it.Water your lawn. A few days before you feed your lawn, give it a good watering. ... Pick the best spreader for your lawn. Spreaders fall into two main categories: broadcast and drop. ... Apply grass fertilizer around the perimeter. ... Fill in the middle. ... Properly handle remaining product.
What is the first fertilizer to put down in the spring?
In the spring, apply a 20-5-10 fertilizer mix. Be careful not to apply to early as fertilizer can easily burn vulnerable grass. Keep in mind that there are other things you can do before it's time to fertilize. In late May or early June, before the heat of the summer arrives, apply some slow release nitrogen.
When should you fertilize your lawn for the first time?
Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. It's also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether that's from rain or a sprinkler.
What is the first treatment for your lawn?
Raking is the first thing you need to do to prepare your lawn for new growth. You may still have a few fallen leaves on the ground, however early spring raking is done primarily to remove thatch. Rake deeply and thoroughly to help break up any remnants of turf-grass from the previous growing season.
When should I put nitrogen on my lawn?
Leading scientists recommend applying nitrogen fertilizers in the spring and fall for cool season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass, and throughout the summer for warm season grasses like St. Augustine and Bermuda, since this is when the grass plant is actively growing.
When should I apply lime to my lawn?
Fall and spring are generally the best times to lime lawns. Fall has an added advantage, as rain, snow and cycles of freezing and thawing help lime break down and begin to work.
Do I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?
It is best to wait a day or so after a rain before applying fertilizer. At this time, any pools of water will be gone, but the ground will still have moisture in it. Do not apply fertilizer on grass blades that are still wet. Check the forecast and make sure some sunshine is in order.
What is the most effective fertilizer?
Most gardeners should use a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. An example would be 10-20-10 or 12-24-12. These fertilizers usually are easy to find. Some soils contain enough potassium for good plant growth and don't need more.
What comes first fertilizer or grass seed?
How soon after applying fertilizer can I plant grass seed? You can plant grass seed immediately after applying fertilizer. Please make sure there is no weed preventer in the fertilizer, as this will also prevent the grass seed from germinating.
What can I spray on my lawn in early spring?
While major infestations are best treated with a pre-emergent herbicide applied in fall, plants that appear in spring can be spot-treated with a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide. Chickweed is also fairly readily killed by spraying with ordinary household white vinegar.
What type of lawn fertilizer should I use in the spring?
By the way, a 20-5-10 lawn fertilizer is a good basic mix to use in spring. Slow-release lawn fertilizers break down their nutrients over a longer period of time, so you can wait longer between applications.
What is in pre-emergent?
Pre-emergent herbicides include chemicals like prodiamine or dithiopyr, which work in three ways to stop weeds like clover, crabgrass, thistle, and dandelions from emerging through the soil. Pre-emergent herbicides: Prevent root growth. Impede seed cell division.
What lawn fertilizer should I use in the spring?
By the way, a 20-5-10 lawn fertilizer is a good basic mix to use in spring. Slow-release lawn fertilizers break down their nutrients over a longer period of time, so you can wait longer between applications.
When should I apply 10 10 10 fertilizer to my lawn?
Fertilize warm-season grass twice in the spring and twice in the fall. Apply the first spring application when new growth begins and the second application 30 days later. Apply the first fall application after the grass's fast summer growth slows and the second application 30 days later.
When should I fertilize my garden in spring?
For perennial flowering plants, fertilize before growth begins in the spring. Wait until the ground is no longer frozen and the date of your last frost is only a week or so away. This ensures that there is less of a chance of the tender new growth brought about by the fertilizer getting immediately killed by frost.
What comes first fertilizer or grass seed?
How soon after applying fertilizer can I plant grass seed? You can plant grass seed immediately after applying fertilizer. Please make sure there is no weed preventer in the fertilizer, as this will also prevent the grass seed from germinating.
When should I fertilize my lawn?
If you're looking for more specific advice, fertilize the grass when the soil reaches around 55 degrees Fahrenheit—right around the time that flowers start to blossom and the lawn is showing signs of growth. This is typically around mid-April for most parts of the United States.
What happens if you fertilize your lawn at the wrong time?
The natural growth cycle of the lawn dictates specific times to fertilize. If fertilizer is applied at the wrong time, it can weaken or damage the plant, the exact opposite of the desired effect.
Why is it important to feed grass in the summer?
A lawn will use its late-spring feeding to restore its carbohydrate reserves, so it can get through the ups and downs of summer. Drought, heat, frequent mowing, and other stresses can damage a lawn. Therefore, by late summer, the grass will be ready for another application of fertilizer. The late-summer application is considered a "bridge feeding" ...
When should I apply lime to my lawn?
Although there is not a specific time that is best for applying lime, it is most commonly done in fall before the ground freezes. Fall is also the best time to aerate a lawn, and applying lime after aerating helps the treatment get into the soil.
Do you need to fertilize your lawn in the spring?
Contrary to popular belief, the lawn does not need to be fertilized at the first sign of nice weather in the spring. If a solid lawn care regimen is in place, there will be enough carbohydrate reserves in the grass—from the slow-release fertilizer you applied in previous fall—to last through most of the spring.
How long does it take to fertilize a lawn?
Fertilizing a lawn is very simple. In fact, a typical subdivision lawn will take less than 20 minutes. Here’s how to do it. 1. Water your lawn. A few days before you feed your lawn, give it a good watering. That will help ensure your soil is ready to accept lawn fertilizer. 2. Pick the best spreader for your lawn.
How far apart should I apply Scotts fertilizer?
All Scotts® Turf Builder® granular fertilizer products feed for up to 2 months, and each application should be spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
How to prevent crabgrass in lawn?
Prevent Crabgrass Early On. You can prevent crabgrass while feeding your lawn in the spring with Scotts® Turf Builder® Halts Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food. Then, 8 weeks later, kill broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover while fertilizing your grass with Scotts® Turf Builder® Weed & Feed 3.
Can you leave grass clippings on your lawn?
If you’re tired of bagging grass while you mow, we’ve got good news. To help your lawn stay greener year-round, you can leave the grass clippings on your lawn. When grass clippings break down, they provide your lawn with beneficial nutrients.
Can I use a drop spreader on a lawn?
This makes application along the lawn's perimeter easy by shutting off half the spreader flow, so product is only applied on the lawn and not on non-lawn areas like the driveway, sidewalk, or landscaping. A drop spreader is another option for small spaces because the application area is much narrower.
Why is fertilizer important for lawns?
Fertilizers are important in lawn care because they supplement the soil with needed nutrients. Nutrients are needed by grass plants because of the many stresses people apply to them. Grass uses nutrients to repair damage done by normal wear and mowing.
What is organic fertilizer made of?
Natural organic fertilizers are commonly made from waste products of various sources ranging from chicken feathers and manures to treated sewage sludge from city waste systems. Rock phosphate and potash are mined from the earth. The manufactured fertilizers normally are made from petroleum and natural gas.
What nutrients do fertilizers add to the soil?
Quick facts. Fertilizers add nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil to help plant growth. On every bag of fertilizer, you will find an analysis of the nutrients in the fertilizer. Natural and manufactured fertilizers have different characteristics. All types of fertilizer can contribute to pollution, if used incorrectly.
What are the three main nutrients needed for a lawn?
The three main nutrients needed by plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). For a home lawn, the most important nutrient to add on a regular basis is nitrogen. Phosphorus is present in high levels in many Midwestern soils. Adding phosphorus in the form of fertilizer is usually not needed.
What are the two forms of nitrogen fertilizer?
Only two forms of nitrogen are readily available to the plant: ammonium (NH 4) and nitrate (NO 3 ). All nitrogen fertilizers must be broken down to these forms regardless of their source.
Why add phosphorus to turf?
Because phosphorus does not easily move in the soil, additional amounts are often beneficial during establishment of new turf. Only apply phosphorous if a soil test indicates a need. Potassium may need to be supplemented. Coarse-textured (sandy) soils often need added potassium.
What is the third number of fertilizer?
The third number is the amount of potassium in the form of potash, K 2 O . For instance, a 10-10-10 is a balanced food with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. High numbers of each nutrient in a particular fertilizer usually means the type of fertilizer can be applied less often.
North: Zones 1, 5, 6
Growing season starts. Mow grass 3 inches high. Leave clippings on lawn.
South: Zones 2, 3, 4
Growing season starts. Mow 3 inches high (1 to 2 inches for Bermuda grass). Leave clippings on lawn.
Your first fertilizer application should take place in early spring
Fertilize your lawn in early spring when your grass first begins to grow. In northeast Ohio, this is typically between March and April when temperatures start consistently staying near 50 degrees. Also consider a weed control application at the same time. Getting ahead of weeds before they germinate can help prevent them from taking over your lawn.
Your last two fertilizer applications should take place in the fall
Fertilizing your lawn in fall helps restore damage that was caused by the stress of summer heat, promotes nutrient storage for use in the winter, and supports healthy root growth, which creates a healthier lawn in spring. It is best to plan for two fertilizer applications between late August and November.
Best Times to Fertilize a Lawn
The right time to fertilize your lawn is influenced by the type of grass you have. Much of the country has either cool-season or warm-season grass, with some areas combining the two types for a more versatile lawn. It’s important to identify your grass type and plan your lawn care schedule around its needs.
How Often to Fertilize
The frequency in which you fertilize depends on your climate and the type of grass you have. In general, you’ll want to fertilize your grass during its peak growing season, which is during the fall for cool-season grasses and spring for warm-season grasses.
How Weather Impacts Fertilizer Application
No matter what type of fertilizer you use, it’s important not to apply it during periods of drought or heavy rainfall. Many fertilizers need multiple waterings to soak into the soil, so applying them during a drought leaves your grass vulnerable to surface burns and slow growth.
Our Conclusion
Fertilizing your grass is an important step in your lawn care routine, as it promotes healthy root growth and keeps your lawn lush and green. However, it’s important to pick the right fertilizer for the job and apply it at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll know when to fertilize your lawn for most grass types when the soil reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be measured by a soil thermometer or by monitoring the blossoming of springtime plants, such as lilacs. For most of the country, this is around mid-April.
