Last year, you were less than impressed by the state of your lawn. Remember those brown patches? Barely-green blades of grass? And uncontrollable weed growth?
This year, you’re committed to bringing your lawn back to life. A little fertilizer should do the trick. If it’s your first time fertilizing your lawn (or you’ve had mixed results in the past), you’re probably wondering what the best way to go about it is.
Breathe new life into your lawn by using fertilizer. At Cleanr Property Maintenance Snow Removal & Lawn Care, we have years of experience in the lawn care industry. Want to fertilize your lawn like a pro? In this article, we’re going to share a few of our tips with you:
When To Apply Lawn Fertilizer
We recommend applying fertilizer a few times throughout the year. If you apply too much lawn fertilizer, the soil will become too concentrated with salt and nitrogen, leading to dry, burnt grass. Too little, and your lawn will look the same as it did the year before: The grass will be malnourished and sparse.
The exact timing will vary based on the following factors:
Climate
If you Google the best time to fertilize your lawn, you’ll find some sites that say to start in February and others that encourage you to wait until April. To know the right time for your area, it’s important to consider the climate of your city. After all, warm weather arrives much later in Winnipeg than in Oklahoma City.
Spring officially starts in March, but most years, there’s still snow on the ground in Winnipeg when that day arrives. In this article, when we refer to “spring”, we mean once the snow has melted.
Type of grass
Did you know that there are different types of turf grasses? The two main types of grass are:
- Warm-season grasses. Warm season-grasses love the sun and thrive in warm weather. They start growing in late spring/early summer and become dormant in the fall. The most popular types are Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass.
- Cool-season grasses. These grasses remain green later into the fall and enter their active growing season in early spring. Direct sunlight may be too intense for cool-season grasses; shade helps them stay cool. They’re not as tolerant of the heat and will turn brown without enough water (especially on hot days). A few examples of cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass and fescues.
Depending on which grass type you have, the exact timing of your fertilizer schedule will vary. Not sure what type of grass your lawn is? Give us a call! Our lawn care experts will be happy to help.
Setting a Schedule
So, how often should you fertilize your lawn?
The first application should be when your grass enters the active growing phase (usually early spring). You want to be sure to apply the first dose of lawn fertilizer before summer temperatures peak.
During the summer, you can apply fertilizer one or two more times. If you have cool-season grass, use a light amount of fertilizer during the hottest months. Warm-season grasses will benefit more from summer feeding.
Have you recently reseeded your lawn? If so, be sure to select a starter fertilizer that’s designed for these lawns.
Finally, apply the last round of fertilizer in the fall. We recommend a slow-release fertilizer for this season. This will supply your grass with the nutrients it needs to recover from the hot, dry summer. It also gives your grass a boost that will help it endure the winter. By the time spring comes again, your grass will be healthy, green, and ready for the next feeding.
FAQ
We’re going to clear up the most common questions about when and how to apply fertilizer:
How regularly should you fertilize your lawn?
In most cases, we recommend that homeowners fertilize their lawns a few times a year, once in the early spring (or late spring, if you have warm-season grass) and once in the early fall.
What is the best month to fertilize your lawn?
To get a green lawn, apply fertilizer in April; this will give your lawn the boost it needs to grow all summer long.
When should fertilizer be applied to a lawn?
Use fertilizer when your grass is actively growing: After the snow melts but before the summer temperatures peak.
Should I fertilize before or after mowing?
We recommend using fertilizer after you mow your lawn. With less grass and weeds in the way, the fertilizer will have an easier time getting into the soil.
How long should fertilizer be down before it rains?
When you’re applying fertilizer, be sure to consider the rain forecast. Applying fertilizer a day or two before it is set to rain is a great idea; the water will help the fertilizer wash off the grass blades and absorb into the soil.
Don’t fertilize before a heavy rainstorm. The water might flood your lawn, causing the fertilizer to run off into street puddles and storm drains. And finally, don’t plan a fertilizer application during a drought.
Book Our Lawn Care Services Today!
Follow this guide, and you’ll have a lawn that looks like a lush paradise. Still, it never hurts to get the help of a professional. If you’re looking for a comprehensive fertilizer and weed control service, we can help!
At Cleanr Property Maintenance, we’ll follow up your fertilizer mix with a full blanket spray of Fiesta weed control; this encourages grass to grow and weeds to stay dormant.
With our platinum fertilizer and weed control schedule, you won’t have to worry about a thing. Enjoy the spring and summer months with a healthy green lawn. Book your lawn service now!
