Lawn Fertilization Explained: Giving Your Grass the Best Care

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How do you want your lawn to look? Green, lusher, fuller, and enchanting in every way possible would be your answer. But how do you achieve it? Alongside caring for the watering needs, removing weeds, seeding, and aerating it duly, you need to fertilize the lawn as well. Fertilizing the lawn is a necessity and not an option. You get your car’s engine oil changed regularly, right? Think of fertilizers as your lawn’s engine oil. Lawn fertilization plays a vital role in keeping your lawn in perfect condition by promoting healthy grass growth, fortifying the roots, and enhancing its ability to prevent and resist various diseases. Read ahead, as today we at Worry Free Lawn Care are explaining the necessity of lawn fertilization, the regularity with which you need to proceed with fertilization, and a small step-by-step guide on how to fertilize the lawn.

1. Role Of Fertilizing the Lawn

Among all the essentials of lawn care, lawn fertilization is one of the most important ones. Using fertilizer, you provide your lawn with all the nutrients it requires to grow thick and become fuller. All these essential elements not only help make the grass greener, but they also help the grass become sturdier in regards to fighting common grass diseases. Here’s the composition of the fertilizer:

  • Nitrogen (N): It aids in chlorophyll production, helping promote a greener grass. It also promotes healthy shoot and root development, resulting in a thicker and more lively lawn.
  • Phosphorus (P): It’s crucial for facilitating a healthy root development that helps keep the grass secured and stabilized in the soil, making it easier for it to absorb nutrients and water conveniently.
  • Potassium (K): Potassium helps make your lawn strong and healthy by serving it with all the required nutrients that are essential for its proper growth. Additionally, it also aids in disease prevention and water regulation.

2. Types Of Fertilizers

Based on their composition and the nutrients they contain, fertilizers can be classified into two broad categories, i.e., organic and inorganic/synthetic fertilizers. As a homeowner, it’s up to you which option you want to go with. Here’s a brief description of both these fertilizer types.

Organic Fertilizers

They are the first choice of nature enthusiasts. Made using plants and animal debris like compost and manure, these are also referred to as natural fertilizers. Those facing issues with their lawn soil need to go with using this type of fertilizer, as it releases the nutrients in a more steady and precise manner to the soil. Additionally, they are great for inducing better water movement and helping with nutrient content as well. It works by feeding the soil microbes and microorganisms, which in turn feed the plant. One shortcoming of this fertilizer is its slow working action.

Inorganic Fertilizers

They are usually made using synthetic and mined mineral material. They are good to use when aiming to achieve quick results, as it’s more soluble than organic fertilizers, making them capable of swiftly covering the nutrition gap if any is present in the lawn. This category of fertilizers covers both synthetic as well as mineral fertilizers. Possible elements for it could be macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and micronutrients like magnesium, sulfur, or calcium. Just like any other chemical-based product, they might cause damage to your turf if used inadequately.

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4. When Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?

Just like it’s crucial to take the right medicine at the right time, you need to care for your lawn’s fertilization needs as well. The best time for fertilizing the lawn is during the early spring to make it easier for the grass to grow well and turn into an appealing green lawn. Fertilizing at this time would strengthen the grass roots and would aid in its recovery from the previous winter season. In addition to that, you need to fertilize your lawn during late summer or early fall to encourage a strong development for the upcoming harsh winter season. Another consideration you need to bear in mind is the type of grass that your lawn carries. For cool-season grasses, it’s best to fertilize it from late summer to early fall. For warm-season grasses, fertilization would be required from late spring to early summer.

5. How To Fertilize the Lawn Properly

Here’s a small breakdown of the whole fertilization process that would ensure you don’t miss out on any steps. Try adhering to each step as it’s mentioned to secure the best results for your lawn.

  • Do a soil test: It’s crucial to first know about your lawn’s present nutrition levels based on which you can choose the best fertilizer.
  • Choose the right fertilizer: Based on the type of grass your lawn has, while taking into account the soil test you did before, come up with a choice of fertilizer.
  • Follow the label instructions: Different manufacturers might suggest different application rates and methods. Thus, it’s crucial to first read properly what’s been prescribed by the manufacturer itself.
  • Prepare the lawn: You need to prepare your lawn before applying fertilizer. For it, evenly mow the lawn to a desired height. You can even give your water a good watering a few days before the fertilizing day to make it more suitable for the soil to accept the nutrients.
  • Distribute evenly: Choose either a broadcast or a drop spreader to evenly distribute the fertilizer throughout the lawn. To ensure not missing out on any area, begin with feeding the sides and edges of the lawn.
  • Water thoroughly: After you’re done applying the fertilizer, water the lawn thoroughly to ensure all nutrients distribute evenly and reach the roots.

Bottom Line

Fertilization aids strengthen the lawn’s grass, which further makes it worthy enough of combating foot traffic, mowing, and seasonal stress as well. It’s important to use fertilizer at the right time, irrespective of the type, whether organic or inorganic. For your lawn’s fertilization and needs for lawn mowing in Minneapolis, you can choose our company—Worry Free Lawn Care. By utilizing cutting-edge, modern technology-based equipment and eco-friendly fertilizers, we would ensure you get a beautiful, appealing lawn that is sure to make your neighbors envy you.