When it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn, watering is only one part of the equation. It’s also important to routinely fertilize your lawn to provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow. Proper fertilization techniques can keep your lawn looking green and lush all year long.
If you need help properly fertilizing your lawn, contact a local lawn care specialist. They can do the job for you, so you have one less thing to consider.
Best Time of Day to Fertilize Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn is crucial for maintaining lush, green grass. However, it’s important to fertilize your lawn correctly to avoid burning it. Fertilizer burn, which happens when your lawn has been over-fertilized, kills grass and damages your soil,.
One of the best ways to avoid fertilizer burn is to apply fertilizer at the right time of day. The best time of day to fertilize your lawn is in the morning.
When you fertilize in the morning, you take advantage of cooler temperatures and morning dew, which reduces the chance of burning your grass. Cooler temperatures allow the fertilizer to absorb into the soil and effectively deliver nutrients.
Secondly, morning dew provides your lawn with extra moisture, which also helps the fertilizer absorb into the soil. The goal of fertilization is to deliver nutrients to your grass’s root system, and applying fertilizer in the morning creates the best chance of that happening.
Basic Lawn Fertilization Rules
If you plan to fertilize your lawn, you should also follow a few basic rules to ensure success. First, make sure you choose the right fertilizer for your grass. For example, new grass seedlings need different nutrient ratios than mature grass.
Additionally, there are several types of fertilizer delivery methods, such as slow-release, quick-release, synthetic and organic fertilizers. The best way to determine the right fertilizer for your lawn is to work with a lawn care professional and conduct a soil test.
Next, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fertilize your lawn properly. This will ensure that you use the right amount of fertilizer and do not over-fertilize your lawn, which can lead to fertilizer burn and disease.
Another important step in fertilization is to water your lawn within 24 hours after applying the fertilizer. This will help the fertilizer break down and move to the roots of your grass instead of sitting on the surface. However, it’s important not to fertilize before heavy rain is predicted to occur, as rain can wash the fertilizer away before it can absorb into the soil.
Lastly, you should use a spreader to apply the fertilizer consistently. It’s important to apply the fertilizer evenly to ensure a uniform-looking lawn. You can invest in several types of fertilizer spreaders. For the best tips and tricks or to get the job done for you, consult with a local lawn care professional for help fertilizing.
Should You Water Your Lawn After Fertilizing?
It’s important to water your lawn after you apply a round of fertilizer. However, you should be strategic about when you water your lawn. You don’t want to overwater after applying the fertilizer because it could wash the fertilizer away before it’s done its job.
Washing away fertilizer is not only counterproductive but can also be dangerous to your surroundings. Fertilizers can contaminate waterways, harm local wildlife and disrupt your soil’s ecosystem.
To make fertilizer as effective as possible, wait around 24 hours after applying fertilizer to water your lawn. This will give the fertilizer time to settle into the soil so it does not wash away.
It is important not to skip watering your lawn after you apply fertilizer. Water helps activate the fertilizer and deliver the nutrients to your lawn’s root system. Moisture dissolves the fertilizer granules, which increases absorption rates.
Your first watering after applying fertilizer should be thorough. The goal is to help the fertilizer penetrate the soil, and watering your lawn will help the fertilizer sink to a deeper level in the soil. A shallow watering will simply leave the fertilizer on the surface of the grass, whereas a deep watering will help the nutrients reach the root system.
However, you also want to avoid over-watering your lawn after applying fertilizer. Too much water, much like heavy rain, will cause waterlogging and nutrient runoff. You should aim to add one inch of water to your lawn, and it’s important to water evenly so that your grass grows consistently across your entire lawn.
Lastly, consider watering early in the morning when the temperature is cooler. This will allow the water to soak into the soil instead of evaporating in mid-day heat.
For more tips on watering your lawn after applying fertilizer, contact a local lawn care service. The experts can set up a schedule and even do the job for you so that you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful new lawn. They can also help you understand what the numbers on fertilizer means.
Is It OK To Put Fertilizer on Wet Grass?
Getting the timing of your fertilization right is a crucial part of the process to ensure success. Along with the right timing, you also need the right conditions. For example, avoid applying fertilizer when the grass is too wet.
When your lawn is saturated with water, the fertilizer cannot be absorbed into the soil. A waterlogged lawn causes the fertilizer to run off, which is a waste of your time, money and effort. Fertilizer runoff is can also be dangerous for the environment and local wildlife.
Fertilizing overly wet grass can cause more harm than good, as grass is more susceptible to damage and disease when wet.
Make sure you give your grass enough time to dry out after a heavy rainfall or watering. It is best to wait until the grass is only slightly damp. At that point, applying non-liquid fertilizer to slightly damp grass is fine. The moisture will help the fertilizer stick to the soil and avoid fertilizer runoff.
For the best damp conditions, fertilize your lawn in the morning when there is still natural moisture from the dew. Alternatively, you can give your lawn a light watering before applying fertilizer to achieve the ideal moisture levels. However, you must be careful not to overwater your lawn.
The Benefits of Working With a Lawn Care Specialist
As you can see, several factors go into successfully fertilizing your lawn. Getting these factors right is important to see the most grass growth and achieve a beautiful lawn year-round.
While it’s possible to fertilize your lawn yourself, working with a lawn care specialist can guarantee precision and success. They have the knowledge, experience and tools to do the job right the first time.
Working with an expert can save you time, energy and hassle. Local professionals also have in-depth knowledge about the soil in your area and will choose the right type of fertilizer for your lawn.
Additionally, a professional lawn care service can set up a proper fertilization schedule for your lawn so you don’t have to think about it. Instead, you can enjoy time with your family on your healthy, lush lawn.
Work With the Professionals to Achieve the Lawn of Your Dreams
As the weather warms up, it’s important to care for your lawn to maintain the beauty and health of your grass through the summer. The best way to do so is to work with a lawn care specialist. The experts will answer all of your questions about fertilizing your grass, maintaining your lawn for you and helping avoid common grass diseases.
Ready to enjoy your lawn this summer and all year round? Get in touch with a local lawn care specialist today.
ABC Can Keep Your Lawn Healthy and Green
Taking care of your grass can take a lot of work. If you would rather spend your weekend enjoying your yard, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our lawn care team can give you that healthy green grass you’ve been looking for. We even have a team who can refresh your landscaping! They can even help you with other lawn care, like using compost as soil.
