Everything About Lawn Fertilization
Research shows that, on average, Americans don’t know much when it comes to caring for their lawns, especially when it comes to fertilization. For example, 64 percent believe that all types of grass need to be fertilized in the spring.
Are you part of this group? Are you unsure of when to fertilize your lawn or what benefits this process provides?
If you said “yes” to either question, keep reading. Outlined below is everything you need to know about lawn fertilization.
What Is Lawn Fertilization?
When your lawn gets fertilized, what is actually happening to it?
Put simply, fertilization introduces certain macronutrients to your grass. These nutrients help the grass to grow, thrive, and stay healthy all throughout the year.
There are lots of macronutrients that your grass needs, including the following:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Hydrogen
- Carbon
- Magnesium
- Sulfur
- Oxygen
The most common macronutrients found in lawn fertilizer are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. These three nutrients all play essential roles in keeping your grass healthy. They’re also the most likely to be missing from your soil, so it can help to supplement your yard’s diet, so to speak, by bringing them in on a regular basis.
Benefits of Lawn Fertilization
Some people assume that fertilization is an optional yard care step. Technically, they’re not wrong. However, there are lots of advantages that come with making fertilization a priority, including the following:
Reduce Weeds
Lawn fertilizer is a great tool for those who are hoping to reduce weed growth on the lawn.
Many fertilization products contain weed prevention treatments. However, even those that don’t also benefit your lawn by helping the grass to grow thicker and stronger than it would have otherwise.
When grass is thick, strong, and has a deep bed of roots, it’s less vulnerable and weeds are less likely to pop up in it.
Increase Disease Resilience
If your lawn receives the proper nutrients, it’s going to be more resilient to diseases. At the end of the day, your lawn is a lot like you. If it isn’t fed sufficient nutrients, it will be less durable and more prone to issues that affect its color, strength, and overall health.
Improve Growth
To maximize your lawn’s growth, it’s a good idea to focus on fertilization. Remember, fertilizer provides the nutrients your grass needs to grow and reach its full potential.
Fertilization allows for more even growth, too. You won’t have to worry as much about dry or sparse patches if you take the time to fertilize well.
Protect the Soil
Fertilization can make your grass thicker, and this, in turn, minimizes soil runoff. When the soil is fertilized well, it’s less likely to become depleted. As a result, it’ll be easier to keep your grass healthy for years to come.
Reduce Pest Problems
You’ll be less prone to pest issues if you fertilize your lawn, too. First of all, fertilized grass is more resilient to the damage that pests can cause. It’s also harder for pests to get through your grass to cause your damage when it’s thick and strong from proper fertilization.
Improve Home Appearance and Value
A well-kept yard automatically improves the appearance of any home. Everyone wants their home to look nice, but this is especially true of folks who are trying to sell their property. Taking the time to fertilize can enhance your yard and the exterior of your home, which could potentially lead to a higher sale price.
Lawn Fertilization Tips
Okay, you’re convinced that it’s worth it to invest time and money in lawn fertilization. You might be wondering about the best way to go handle it, though. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your fertilization efforts:
Time It Right
As we mentioned early, most people assume that all grass needs to be fertilized in the spring. It’s a bit more complicated than that, though.
Specific fertilization requirements vary depending on the type of grass you have in your yard. To ensure you’re following the right regimen, start by finding out what kind of grass is growing around your home.
In general, it’s best to fertilize your lawn in the late spring (around May or June) when the grass is growing the most. You can also fertilize your lawn in the fall when the weather starts to cool down. By doing this, the fertilizer’s slow-release functions will nourish the grass throughout the fall and winter, which allows it to grow healthier and stronger when spring rolls around.
Water the Lawn First
No matter when you’re fertilizing your lawn, always water it before getting started. Watering your lawn ensures that the soil is able to easily accept the nutrients from the fertilizer.
Start at the Perimeter
When applying fertilizer, start at the perimeter and work your way in. This helps you to avoid accidentally missing patches, which can lead to uneven growth.
Hire a Pro if Needed
Finally, don’t be afraid to hire a professional. There are lots of reasons to bring an expert on board, including the following:
- You’re unsure of which kind of fertilizer to use on your lawn
- You’ve never fertilized your yard before and are worried about making mistakes
- You have a large yard and don’t have time to fertilize it all yourself
- You simply don’t want to handle the fertilization process on your own
If any of these situations apply to you, working with a lawn care expert can be a lifesaver. They’ll know how to apply the fertilizer for the best results and will reduce the chances of mistakes that could affect your lawn’s growth and health.
Need Help Fertilizing Your Lawn?
Now that you know more about fertilizing your lawn, as well as why and how you should do it, are you ready to start taking better care of it? Keep the information outlined above in mind, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at A Good Neighbor Property Solutions LLC if you need additional help.
We provide top-notch lawn fertilization, as well as lawn care and pest control services, and we can’t wait to help you improve the health and appearance of your yard. Contact us today to learn more or to get a quote.