Fertilizing your lawn provides the grass with the nutrients needed to grow and thrive. Having the right mix of food – in the right amounts delivered at the right time – allow for the lush, green appearance we’re all after. Unfortunately, appropriate lawn care isn’t common sense. You can’t always trust your gut to let you in on the best methods.
Talk to an experienced lawn care specialist today, or check out these handy tips for fertilizing your lawn from Think Green Lawn Care:
Work with your lawn type.
Georgia is home to both cool- and warm-season grasses. Cool varieties include fescue and ryegrass. Bermuda, Zoysia, centipede and St. Augustine are warm varieties. They have distinctly different growth factors and fertilization needs, and it’s essential that you correctly identify your lawn type before performing any work to avoid damage.
Make certain you follow guidelines for the species you’re currently growing. If you’re not sure of your grass type, take a handful of grass clippings to your local nursery or extension office.
Pay attention to soil temperature.
Air temperatures determine how hot or cold it feels. Soil temperatures determine how quickly something grows – if at all. Cool-season grasses experience root growth until soil temps reach 30 F. Warm-season grasses, however, experience the same stalling period at soil temperatures of just 50 F. In order for the fertilizer you use to be effective, you’ll have to be sure the ground is higher than these temperatures at the time of application. Otherwise your investment will go to waste, and your grass will be stressed without reason.
Find a high-quality fertilizer.
When fertilizing your lawn, a heavy dose of nitrogen before your lawn sleeps for the winter helps to stimulate root growth and sets the stage for a healthy spring. At least, it does when you’re growing a cool-season grass. Warm varieties don’t do as well with nitrogen, so it’s important to use formulas suited to your grass type. Select a mix of 25-5-5 for fescue, rye grass and the like, where Bermuda and Zoysia types should stick with 8-18-22 for the best results.
Apply fertilizer evenly to your lawn.
Granular fertilizer isn’t always as effective as liquid applications, but it’s much easier for a homeowner to put down. Use a spreader for even distribution. Unbalanced fertilization can lead to striped lawns, uneven growth and an overall odd appearance. Of course, if you’d rather, you can always hire a professional company for help. Often, you wind up with access to higher-quality products and results that more than justify the cost.
Fertilizing your lawn in the near future? Schedule a visit with Think Green Lawn Care at (678) 648-2556 to learn more about fertilizing your lawn the right way. Our trained technicians will be sure to correctly identify your grass and proceed with the most beneficial applications available.
