Lawn fertilizer is composed of nutrients essential to you lawn’s well being. Lawn fertilizer can be chemical in nature or organic and natural. The chemical lawn fertilizers tend to work fast and are easy to apply. The organic lawn fertilizers last longer than the chemical man-made lawn fertilizers but are slower to work.
What is in Lawn Fertilizer
Lawn fertilizers are made of 3 primary ingredients: potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous. Potassium helps the lawn resist disease and weather changes. Nitrogen helps the lawn to grow well and stay green. Phosphorous promotes root growth.
When looking at a lawn fertilizer box or package there will be 3 digit numbers that tell how much of each of the aforementioned nutrients are in that particular lawn fertilizer mix. For example, a bag marked 7-7-7 has 7 percent nitrogen, 7 percent phosphorous, and 7 percent potassium. The remaining percentage is usually some type of filler like clay pellets.
When you mow your grass the lawn expends a lot of energy to replace what was mowed away. Lawn fertilizers help the lawn to keep growing and strengthen the roots.
How to Use Lawn Fertilizer
As a rule you want to apply 1 lb of nitrogen lawn fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of grass each month during the growing season. If you are having a problem with weeds then try a fertilizer with more phosphorous.
Types of Fertilizer
Lawn fertilizers can be slow or fast acting. Lawn fertilizers can be either liquid or granular. Liquid fertilizers are easy to use and can be applied to your lawn with a garden hose. Granular lawn fertilizers are usually watered into your loan after being applied with a spreader. The granular lawn fertilizers require more effort but can be controlled easier because you see how much lawn fertilizer you are using and where it is going.
One of the natural ways of fertilizing the lawn is by using grass clippings. A mulch lawnmower finely chops the grass and expels it back onto your lawn. This method can reduce the need for lawn fertilizer by up to 30%.
Seasonal Fertilizer Application
Lawn fertilization varies with the seasons. In spring after the final frost apply lawn fertilizer. Use a general slow release lawn fertilizer. This will help your grass gently ease into the growing season. In summer apply fertilizer once a month throughout the growing season. If you have a hot spell cut back on the lawn fertilizer so it will not burn your lawn. In the fall prepare your lawn for winter. Late fall feed your lawn for the last time with a slow release lawn fertilizer. This will help your grass get off to a fast start next spring.
Fertilizing Facts
The best time to apply granular fertilizer is right before a storm. The rain will wash the fertilizer into the ground so it does not burn the lawn. On windy days do not spray liquid fertilizer. The wind causes the spray to disperse resulting in patches of lawn that are greener than others.
Be sure to keep children and pets away from a newly fertilized lawn for 24 hours. It is best to apply lawn fertilizer in the evening as this gives the lawn maximum absorption time. Always keep unused fertilizer in a very well sealed container. Place the container in a cool dry storage area.
Using fertilizer is the easiest way to keep your lawn looking its best. In addition lawn fertilizer will help to keep your grass weed-free. Be sure to fertilize your lawn regularly during the growing season to maintain its health.