Turf grasses as well as bedding plants require nourishment to stay healthy. Keeping a well fertilized lawn will produce a thicker turf, richer more vibrant color, and helps reduce the amount of weeds that can invade your lawn by basically smothering out the weeds before they have a chance to develop a foothold in your lawn. Some basic tips for fertilizing your lawn include:

• Amounts: A common misconception is that more is better. Plants and vegetation can only use and absorb so much fertilizer so fast. Excess will possibly just be washed away with watering or rainfall. Overfeeding can also cause an excess of tender new grass, which is highly susceptible to insects and requires excess watering and mowing, and can possibly burn your lawn leaving it brown and discolored. Always read the product label prior to applying any fertilizer. Follow the recommended application rates for your particular grass type.

Slow release fertilizers are great for homeowner use due to their longer lasting ability and the less likelihood of burning the grass with over fertilization. Check the label and local garden centers for recommendations on your particular grass species.

Recommended application rates are generally based on the amount of fertilizer required to supply a given amount of Nitrogen per 1,000sq/ft. of turf. The amount of fertilizer required to apply 1 pound of Nitrogen to 1,000sq/ft of turf can be calculated by dividing 100 by the percentage of Nitrogen in the fertilizer.

• Types: Fertilizer content is listed numerically in order of:

1. Nitrogen: Stimulates growth in the leaf blades and gives the turf the green color in the leaf blades. Application of Nitrogen must be balanced with other plant nutrients. In the right amounts, Nitrogen will stimulate the plants usage of Phosphorus, Potassium, and other plant nutrients. Nitrogen in excess and cause weakening of the plants and decrease it’s resistance to diseases.
2. Phosphorus: Stimulates early root growth and development, and helps to increase soil bacteria. Unlike Nitrogen, an excess of Phosphorus does not have the harming effects when applied in excess.
3. Potassium: Encourages a healthy root system, promotes steady growth, counteracts the harmful effects of Nitrogen, promotes disease resistance, and helps to balance the effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Calcium rich soil aids in the availability of Potassium to plants and grasses.
4. Calcium: Calcium has several useful benefits. It indirectly increases the availability of Nitrogen, helps to form cell walls, neutralizes harmful acids, and generally aids in the efficiency of fertilizer.

• When to Fertilize: Typically, the most ideal time to fertilize your lawn will be in the fall one to two months prior to the first frost. This will help to winterize your lawn and promote early growth and root development once the winter dormant periods are over. Late spring fertilizing is also acceptable and sometimes necessary once the spring growth surge is over with. This will usually be around mid March to late May. You may also apply small amounts of fertilizer throughout the year whenever your turf is starting to decline. You should confirm thought that the decline is from lack of nutrients and not from normal dormancy due to periods of drought.

• Application: It’s best to use some form of broadcast spreader rather then applying the fertilizer by hand. You will receive a more uniform application by using a spreader with an adjustable application rate. Spreading fertilizer by hand can create areas with excessive fertilizer concentrations, which can lead to burning the grass. This can disturb the soils PH and create additional problems besides the dead spot in your lawn.

When using your broadcast spreader, try to apply half of the amount required in an up and down pattern, and the other half in a right angles to the first half. This helps to give your lawn a uniformed application.

Apply fertilizers just before a good rain, otherwise water thoroughly after application to help the fertilizer absorb into the soil. This will also help to prevent burning the grass.