Shhh don’t tell anyone but getting a green lawn has nothing to do with magic. It is all about fertilization. Fertilization plays an important role in helping your lawn look good all year long, but knowing when, why and how can be tricky, so check out these tips!
Because Science!
The three main components of fertilizer are (N)nitrogen, (P)phosphorus, and (K)potassium. You may have noticed these ingredients on a bag of fertilizer accompanied by numbers. These numbers show the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, respectively, which are the primary nutrients needed to feed your lawn. So a 20-5-10 bag will have 20 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphate, and 10 percent potassium. The rest of the bag usually contains filler material that helps ensure an even application.
It’s a good idea to do a soil test on your lawn prior to fertilizing. A soil test will determine the pH of your soil. The pH level is a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a substance. The pH of your soil is important because it determines the ability of the grass to use the ingredients in the fertilizer. Your soil test will determine which mix of N, P, & K is best for your lawn. The goal of a fertilization application Is to bring your soil as close to neutral as possible.
The More the Better?
Not necessarily. Like we said fertilization is all about balance. In general, we recommend early and late spring applications to target the prime growing season, again in summer, fall and right before it takes its long winter nap. The use of a slow release fertilizer can extend the time between applications. Slow-release fertilizers break down their nutrients over a longer period of time. If you fertilize more frequently you’re only going to make the grass grow faster so you have to mow more often. The secret is to get it as green as possible without growing it too fast.
Spreading it Out
Before fertilizing your lawn it’s important to make sure not only has it been thoroughly watered but has dried before the application. Again, it’s a balance! Even and accurate coverage is a must. Luckily, we have a lot of experience in that area.
Good’s Tree and Lawn Care uses quality, custom blended fertilizers in all lawn applications. If your lawn has fertility issues Good’s Tree and Lawn Care will provide a soil analysis and advise on how to solve any problems. No magic needed.
