Feeding your lawn throughout the year is the key to having healthy and vibrant grass during the spring and summer. Well-timed fertilizer schedules allow your yard to keep growing all year long. It can be difficult to properly maintain your lawn throughout the year. Having the right knowledge about the types and uses of different fertilizers will make it much easier to keep your grass strong. With our expert guidance, you will know what type of spreader to choose and how often to fertilize your lawn for the best results. These lawn fertilization tips will give you the perfect yard.
What Type of Fertilizer Should I Use?
The type of fertilizer that will work best for your lawn will depend on a variety of factors. If you’re starting from seed or sod, you’ll want to use a starter fertilizer. This will help your grass develop strong roots and get a good start. Make sure you start lawn fertilization as soon as you lay your new seed or sod down. If you’re fertilizing existing grass, you’ll want to pay attention to the phosphorus number. Fertilizers come with three numbers, the middle number is the phosphorus number. Make sure you use a fertilizer with an ideal ratio. Phosphorus fertilizers are best for new grass and older grass will not need as much.
Additionally, many fertilizers include weed-killing and deterrent properties. In the late winter and early spring, it’s important you use a fertilizer with these properties. If you start attacking the weeds in your lawn as soon as possible, it will be easier to get rid of them. Consider prioritizing weed-killing fertilizer if weeds tend to overwhelm your lawn.
When Is The Best Time For Lawn F
ertilization?
In the Cape Cod area, we start fertilizing our landscapes in late February through April for the first time. This is when our weather starts to warm up and we welcome spring to the coast. This helps start our lawns off with strong roots and fewer weeds. You’ll want to time your first fertilizer session to happen before the first weeds begin to pop up.
In April and through until June, you’ll want to focus on fertilizers that target the growth of your grass and kill weeds at the same time. Be careful to avoid overseeding and overfeeding your lawn during these critical months. From June until August, you’ll be feeding your lawn to help protect against the heat. Your fertilizer here should work long-term. Make sure you use a brand and type guaranteed for up to three months of growth.
In the late fall after August, you’ll feed your lawn one last time to ensure that it’s fed for the winter. This means your grass will be stronger throughout the year. Make sure you time your last feeding to fall between six to eight weeks before your first frost. This will give your lawn time to absorb the nutrients before winter sets in.
What Are The Different Types of Lawn Fertilizer Spreaders
Depending on what type of lawn care your yard needs, there are different types of spreaders. If you have a large lawn, you’ll want to use a rotary spreader. This makes sure you get good coverage for the majority of your lawn. If you need more precision with your fertilizer distribution, use a drop spreader. Overlap between passes of fertilizer to ensure you’re covering your entire lawn. A handheld fertilizer spreader works perfectly fine if you have a small yard.
When you apply fertilizer, make sure you stop and shut off the machine as you turn. This helps prevent fertilizer from piling up. If you use too much fertilizer on one spot, you risk damaging your lawn. A proper feeding means that all spots of your landscape receive the same amount of fertilizer.
Depending on how thick your grass is, the strength of your fertilizer, and the type of spreader you use, it may take more than one pass over your lawn to properly fertilize your grass. A slight overlap between passes will help ensure you get even coverage. Keep an eye out on your equipment as your work to make sure it spread the fertilizer evenly.
If you need an expert’s advice on keeping your lawn healthy through the warmest summer months, give our team a call! We know what it takes to keep your landscape looking pristine and beautiful. Our team of landscapers will work with you to come up with a personalized treatment plan for your yard. With our help, you can keep your grass looking in top shape all year long.