How to Fertilize a Lawn
Fertilization is essential for nearly all plants to look their best, including your lawn grass. As such, you’ll need to have a firm understanding of how to fertilize your lawn the proper way. This chapter will teach you how.
Water Your Lawn Before You Fertilize
The first step in fertilizing your lawn is to water it. Watering your lawn moistens the soil and prepares it to receive a feeding. Try watering your lawn about a day or two before you spread your fertilizer for the best results.
Pick the Best Lawn Fertilizer
The type of fertilizer you use will determine how well your lawn responds. The best lawn fertilizers are usually highest in nitrogen, followed by potassium, with phosphorus being the lowest. A nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 3-1-2 may be ideal. However, rather than focusing on the exact quantities of nutrients, you can often select a fertilizer product that is specifically made for lawns.
Use a Fertilizer Spreader
The most effective way to spread fertilizer on your lawn is with a fertilizer spreader. Fill your spreader with fertilizer, then push the spreader around your lawn, starting at the perimeter and working inwards toward the center.
Repeat Fertilizations Throughout the Season
If you want your lawn to be as lush and healthy as possible, you should fertilize it multiple times during the growing season. Begin fertilizing in the spring once your grass has begun growing. Then you can add more fertilizer several times until the fall arrives. Most lawns will respond well to about five feedings during a season.
Don’t Over-Fertilize
While lawns enjoy fertilization, they can also suffer if they receive too much. Monitor your grass after you fertilize to notice the signs that it is receiving too much. A lawn that is overfertilized will often show signs of fertilizer burn or browning. Excessive fertilization will also slow the growth of your lawn rather than increasing it.
