If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season.
Inearly spring, the grass is putting energy into root development.
If youapply fertilizertoo early, it will divert the plant’s energy into leaf development too soon.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Tip
A healthy lawn will be a relatively light shade of bright green.
A lawn that is a deep, almost blackish green, has been very heavily fertilized.
The dark green color comes from a lot of nitrogen-based fertilizer used on the lawn.
Organic gardeners avoid the use of any chemical products as lawn fertilizers.
The main concern is that the fertilizer run-off can enter the local water supply.
Organic Lawn Fertilization
There are a few organic methods of feeding a lawn safely.
These fertilizers come in many varieties.
Some fertilizers match the season, such as early-season fertilizers,midsummer fertilizers, andlate-season “turf-builder” mixes.
Other fertilizers are better suited for flowers or vegetables.
Another category contains herbicides, which feeds the grass, kills weeds, and prevents weed growth.
Pre-emergentherbicidesare a combination of fertilizer and crabgrass control herbicide applied in the early spring.
This combination product does not have a full feeding of fertilizer.
Start light with half the recommended amount and rate of fertilizer.
it’s possible for you to reapply if you don’t like the results.
The actualapplication timingdepends on your region and the jot down of turf grasses you have.
However, do not apply fertilizer before a massive storm.
A rainstorm increases the risk of fertilizer nutrients flowing into storm drains and streams.
Feeding your lawn at this point prepares the grass for summer.
A polymer-coated slow-release fertilizer can feed the grass for up to 12 weeks.
However,cool-season grassesare in a survival mode during the heat of the summer.
A cool-season lawn should need nothing other than water and pest management until September.
You are not looking to return your lawn to the green of summer.
Best Spring Fertilizers for Your Lawn
When choosinglawn fertilizer, there are a lot of options.
The first step in picking out fertilizer is figuring out which throw in of grass you have.
ensure that the grass in your lawn is represented in the product.
Then, you might choose between granular and liquid fertilizer.
Consider which option will work best for your lawn.
The month that you apply fertilizer depends on your region.
The grass may look scorched, crispy yellow, or it could have browned or yellow tips.
It is best to wait a day after the rain before applying fertilizer if storms are predicted.
A heavy rainfall could wash away the fertilizer before it has an opportunity to be absorbed by the lawn.
Additionally, consider whether you want to use granular, slow-release fertilizer, or faster, liquid fertilizer.
Nutrient Pollution, The Sources and Solutions: Agriculture.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Grass Clippings, Compost and Mulch: Questions and Answers.
University of Missouri Department of Horticulture.
Is Your Lawncare Stormwater-Friendly?
Lawn Care Calendar.Washington State University Extension.
The Benefits of Late Season Fertilizer.Ohio State University, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
