When to Fertilize your Lawn
Lawn fertilization is a crucial aspect of keeping your lawn green and healthy throughout the year. You may be familiar with the fact that you need to fertilize your lawn at least twice a year to keep it healthy and green. However, the timing of your fertilization process also affects the results significantly. If you fertilize your lawn at the wrong time, it can lead to burnt grass blades and excessive weed growth.
Here is our guide to help you identify the best time to fertilize your lawn:
Identify the type of grass
Before you move on to the when part, you need to identify the type of grass you have on your lawn. It is essential as different types of grass have different fertilization periods. However, the thumb rule for any type of grass is to fertilize during the growing season. But having a deep understanding of your grass type will help you get the best results.
There are mainly two types of grass:
- Cold-season grasses: Cold season grasses prefer colder temperatures, and they often go dormant during hot summers when water isn’t readily available. These grass types have two growing periods, one in early spring and another comes in early fall. Most common cold season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, tall and fine fescues, and ryegrass.
- Warm-season grasses: Warm-season grasses are tropical and prefer a humid climate. These grasses grow tough and dense with time. The most common warm-season grasses found in the United States include Bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, Kikuyu grass, and zoysia grass. These types of grasses thrive during midsummer.
Fertilization time for cold-season grasses
The best time to fertilize cold season grasses is early spring and fall. Before fertilizing these grasses, check that the soil temperature lies between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Use fewer fertilizers during the early spring session and add more copious amounts during the fall session. Try to finish the fertilization of your lawn a few days before the temperature goes above the average levels.
Fertilization time for warm-season grasses
The best time to fertilize warm-season grasses is during midsummer when the soil temperature lies between 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, make sure that you give the fertilizers a few days to be absorbed by the soil before the temperatures rise.
Tips to apply the fertilizers correctly
- Water your lawn thoroughly a few days before the fertilization process to ensure that the soil is malleable to absorb the fertilizer quickly.
- Check the label of your fertilizer before burning to identify its lasting time.
- Also, read the instructions and content thoroughly to ensure that you don’t add too much or too little to your lawn.
- Avoid adding nitrogen-rich fertilizers to your lawn during the dormant season, as the plants and grass could not absorb them during this time.
About Lawn & Pest Solutions
If you are looking for professional help to take care of your lawn issues, Lawn & Pest Solutions should be your one-stop destination. Our services include de-weeding, pest control, bed bug exterminator, and deep root fertilization. In addition, we ensure that your lawn looks lush and healthy. You can reach out to us at 662.534.4535, 901.560.2399, or fill our online contact form to know more.
