You should include fertilizing your lawn in your annual lawn care tasks, which include mowing and trimming. Did you know that fertilizing the lawn at the right time of the day will give it greater benefits? There are specific rules and guidelines that you need to follow, depending on what fertilizer you use and the type of grass.
Lawn Care Tips: Why Fertilize Your Lawn
Your lawn will have a nice green color due to nitrogen. The nitrogen helps give your turf a great look by reducing weed problems. NPK ratios are labels that indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium used to make a specific fertilizer. You can test your soil by taking it to an agriculture extension office in your area. This will tell you if the phosphorous or potassium levels are adequate. If yes, your lawn won’t require those amendments for many years. Apply nitrogen annually to promote good color and growth.
Different Fertilizer Application Types
There are many options for lawn fertilizers, but most commonly they are applied in liquid or granular forms. Organic fertilizers such as composted manure or organic fertilizers are options too. However, these must be first broken down in the soil before they can be used for lawn maintenance. There are both advantages and disadvantages to liquid fertilizers, but it is important to understand when to use them and when to stop.
When is the best time to apply granular fertilizer on your lawn?
The Granular fertilizer may be either water-soluble or insoluble. This is also known as slow-release. Both have been used successfully on lawns for many years. Water-soluble granular fertilizer must only be applied to grass when it is cool and dry. This fertilizer must be watered in regularly to prevent leaf burn. Slower release formulas are less likely than fast-release formulas to cause damage to grass leaves, so it’s not essential that grass is dry. After spreading, water should be given to allow the granules to get into the soil.
When is the perfect time to add water-soluble granular fertilizer to your lawn?
- Before a steady rain
- Mid-morning, after the dew, dried
- Evenings with low temperature
When is the best time to apply slow-release fertilizer to your lawn?
- Mornings before temperatures get hot
- Before a steady rain
Avoid applying any granular fertilizer:
- After rainfall
- Prior to a heavy storm
- The hottest time of the day
When is the best time to apply liquid fertilizer to your lawn?
Liquid fertilizer has one advantage: it is quick and can be applied to your lawn within days. However, liquid fertilizer is not as effective as granular fertilizer. It needs to be applied more frequently and doesn’t last as long. It is important that the grass be completely dry before applying any liquid fertilizer. Any water present on the lawn will dilute it and make it less effective. Granular fertilizers are meant to nourish the roots. However, liquid fertilizer can be used to foliar feed the leaves. If applied when the lawn is still growing, liquid fertilizers can quickly burn the grass.
When is the best time to apply liquid fertilizer to your lawn?
- Evening with cool temperatures
- No rain for at least two days
- Dry grass
When to Avoid the Application Of Liquid Fertilizer
- If the grass is wet from rain or morning dew
- Rain is expected
- The hottest hour of the day
Use Granular Fertilizer or Liquid Fertilizer
You can use both types of fertilizer on your lawn, but not simultaneously. To maintain healthy roots throughout winter, slow release granular fertilizer may be applied on a cool fall day. A liquid application during the early stages of spring growth can strengthen grass leaves and give them a uniform green color.
Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service now if you need professional help in taking care of your lawn.
Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/