Spring Into Green Lawn Care: Fertilization
Read MorePosted on: Mar 08, 2023Luis M Pérez
Spring Fertilization
Spring fertilization is one of the most important things you can do for your lawn. Essentially, fertilizer is food for your grass, and it helps lawns and gardens grow thick, green, and healthy. Applying a quality fertilizer early in the spring helps your lawn bounce back from winter and fight off insects and diseases. Think of your lawn like you would the human body; the more nutrition and exercise your body receives, the more your immune system can provide natural defenses against viruses and diseases.
What’s In Fertilizer?
Although most fertilizers contain Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium, not all fertilizers are created equally. Nitrogen helps give your lawn color, and phosphorus and Potassium help it develop a robust root system. However, different fertilizers vary in the ingredients mix and distribution rate into the soil. As a consumer of fertilizer, you are looking for products that are high in Nitrogen and have an excellent slow-release mechanism. What we mean by slow-release is that the fertilizer is designed to feed the lawn slowly and steadily over a long period.
One of the tricks some companies use is to offer cheaper, fast-release fertilizers that are lower in Nitrogen but release quickly. These products immediately make the lawn look green, but then they wear out quickly. Think of sugary food, for example, one that makes you feel good and gives you a burst of energy immediately but is not overall health for your body over time.
At Dr. Green, we are interested in your lawn’s overall health. We try to keep your lawn thick, green, and healthy all season long. This means keeping your lawn consistently and evenly fed all year long. This consistency will help your grass fight off insects, diseases, and weeds.
Always Water In Your Fertilizer
It is essential to water your lawn after fertilizing. This will help the fertilizer penetrate the soil. Therefore, the amount of water you need to apply depends on the fertilizer you are using and the type of soil. For example, in Texas, we suggest watering 3 to 4 times per week for 10-20 minutes per zone in the morning. This is because Texas lawns have shallow root systems. In Illinois and Indiana, where root systems grow deeper into the soil, we suggest 3-4 deep waterings of at least 45 minutes per zone, per week, also in the morning.
When Can I Mow After Fertilization?
It is okay to mow your lawn the day after receiving Fertilization. Try not to cut your lawn too short when mowing, and always use a sharp mower blade. Illinois and Indiana keep the grass between 3 to 5 inches tall, and in Texas, Bermuda lawns can be cut 1-2 inches, and St. Augustine should be 3 to 5 inches.
Questions
If you have any questions about Fertilization, please contact Luis Perez at 1-800-465-2934 or email me at luisp@doctorgreen.com.