It is never to late to fertilize your lawn. Your grass may be slowing down for the season, but it is still in need of nutrients throughout the year. Fertilizing can seem like a stressful task with the hundreds of different products and all the fancy packaging, but in reality you only need to know a few things.
Fertilizer is crucial for healthy lawns. Most fertilizer bags will display 3 numbers written in the form: X-X-X. These numbers correspond to the percentage within the bag of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potasium: N-P-K. The remaining percentage is generally filler to help with even application. For example a bag labeled as 16-16-16 would be equal parts (16% each) of N, P, and K; the remaining 52% is just filler.
Each of these nutrients helps the lawn in a slightly different way. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for grass; it aids in root and blade development as well as establishing that beautiful green color starting in early spring all the way to the fall. Phosphorus is helpful in root growth. Lastly, potassium provides grass with the ability to grow stronger and be more tolerant to weather changes (drought, cold snaps, high temperature) and disease.
In this area, there are 4 times a year you should fertilize. April, June, September, and November. A fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2 or 3-1-3 (ex. 15-5-10 or 21-7-21) is typically a good start for lawns. If you have a specific challenge you are facing with your lawn, this ratio may change. Winterizer formulas are also available for the November fertilizing. They have a specific ratio designed to prepare your lawn for dormancy and establish the root system for next season.
Application rate is extremely important. The fertilizer bag will give you a calculation of pounds per square feet. Do not exceed that amount. Over fertilizing will actually damaged the grass and unnecessarily pollute the environment. Use a slow release fertilizer for optimal feeding over a longer period of time. Using a hand crank spreader or a broadcast spreader with granular fertilizer will provide the most even application. Apply ½ the recommended amount for your square footage in one direction and apply the other ½ perpendicular to first direction. Each pass’s broadcast should just slightly over lap the previous pass.
When loading your spreader you should do it over a tarp or on a hard surface so any spills can be swept up. A spill on a lawn can create a nasty dead patch. After application, hard surfaces such as driveways, walkways, and patios should be swept off to ensure the fertilizer does not stain them.
Watering is the last important step in fertilizing. Without proper watering, the grass will not be able to fully utilize the fertilizer. Be sure to keep a regular watering schedule. Long periods of drought can really stunt your grass and reduce its tolerance to other stress factors.
Finally, always consider safety! Keep fertilizer stored in a safe place away from moisture, pets, and children. When applying, always wear the recommended safety equipment. Read all labels and instructions prior to use; and be sure to fully understand them.
