Landscape Maintenance - Lawn Fertilizer
About Lawn Fertilizer
Introduction
Lawn Fertilizer is an important part of lawn care. Fertilizing your lawn should become part of the routine landscape maintenance schedule in order to preserve the beauty and serenity of your property. Especially in areas known for extreme weather conditions, such as drought stricken areas, fertilization is an integral component to a healthy landscape. Fertilizers contain all the essential nutrients to promote healthy growth and beautiful color. Why Does a Lawn Need Fertilizer?
Lawn fertilizers provide all the essential nutrients to promote healthy growth, bright colored grass, ability to recover from stress, prevent patching and also prevent weed and disease invasions. Very few soils contain the natural fertility to sustain a healthy lawn quality. A lawn fertilizer will provide the nutrients needed to maintain optimum growth. The three common elements in lawn fertilizer are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
These nutrients are the life line of a lawn. Not only do these nutrients promote healthy growth, but they also assist in pest control. A healthy fertilized lawn will be able to quickly recover from insect or disease attacks. These nutrients also fight against weeds therefore reducing the need for pesticides.
Slow-Release Fertilizer
A slow-release fertilizer is recommended for lawn use as it meets the requirements of a periodic feeding that a lawn needs. The slow-release fertilizer products release their nutrients over time, rather than all at once, and this will stretch out the feeding process. Over fertilizing can cause some damage to the lawn such as burning the grass, outrageous growth and growth of weeds and disease.
A slow-release fertilizer will distribute nutrients as the root system of the grass fills in any bare patches giving you an all over healthy green lawn. This will in turn promote weed control as it deprives them of somewhere to germinate by covering any patches. There are some lawn fertilizers that will also control the growth of weeds at the same time. This would save you time and money.
Application of Lawn Fertilizers
It is imperative that all instructions are and followed to ensure proper use of fertilizers. There are many different types of fertilizers and some may not be suitable for your type of grass so it is a good idea to check at the store and seek advice. Instructions must be followed strictly, such as when to apply, how much fertilizer to apply, how often it must be applied and the conditions it should be applied. Lawns fertilizers are mostly applied with a spreader. Be sure to fill the applicator somewhere else and never on the lawn. If some of the solution is discharged onto the grass, it may cause a burn. It is also extremely important not to over fertilize your lawn as it may cause outrageous top-growth. A lawn fertilizer with a slow-release is best and will encourage steady growth and strong roots.
When to Fertilize
Lawn fertilization can be done during the year but there are better times to do so. In Spring, fertilizing is okay in moderation, however excess fertilization may result in over growth and may harm your lawn’s roots. A lawn fertilizer that is light in nitrogen and a little heavier of phosphorus will encourage steady growth. Summer is not a good time for fertilizing as the heat may tend to burn the lawn, especially in a drought season. A slow-release fertilizer may be used but if there are signs of stress on the lawn, you must stop fertilizing. Fall is the best time of the year for lawn fertilization as the fertilizer is more likely to reach the roots in the fall.
