Fertilizing a lawn can be more of a challenge than many new homeowners think. Getting it wrong can destroy what would otherwise be a beautiful, verdant yard, and getting it right requires consideration of everything from timing to formulation, frequency of fertilization, and more. Read on to find out how homeowners can create happier, more vibrant lawns using proper fertilization techniques.

Proper Timing

Homeowners may be tempted to fertilize their lawns as soon as spring starts, but that’s a mistake. Warm-season grasses go dormant in the winter and should not be fed until after they have fully resumed normal seasonal growth and there is no threat for a late-season freeze. Applying fertilizer too soon will waste money since the roots of dormant grass plants won’t be able to absorb it. Instead, it will feed the early-season weeds and give them the nutrients they need to crowd out the grass, creating a whole new problem.

Fertilizing before the last frost can lead to severe damage. It is best to wait until after April 15, at the earliest, to fertilize. Homeowners who have already made this mistake and are now seeing severe damage can visit https://ngturf.com/ for recovery advice or purchase new turfgrass.

Know the Grass

Proper timing for fertilization varies between grass variety. More specifically, it varies based on whether the majority of the grass in the lawn are cool-season or warm-season varieties. Warm-season grasses include Bermuda grass, Centipede, and Zoysia, all of which prefer to be fertilized between mid-April and August. Cool-season grasses like Fescue, on the other hand, should be fed only twice: once in March, and a second time in October.

Know the Soil

Different varieties of grass also have different nutritional requirements. It’s always best to start a new fertilization regime with a soil test. Make sure to test the concentrations of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Commercial fertilizers are labeled according to the ratio of N to P to K, in that order, but knowing that won’t do homeowners any good if they aren’t sure whether their soil is high or low in these key nutrients. Keep in mind that some varieties, including the ever-popular Bermuda grass, have higher nitrogen requirements than others, which means homeowners will have to purchase nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.

Don’t Overdo It

More isn’t better when it comes to fertilizing. Applying excess fertilizer can lead to nutrient imbalances, which can damage the plants. Nutrient-damaged plants are more prone to pests and diseases and often exhibit stunted growth, so aim for just enough.

It’s okay to make mistakes. Most homeowners have had to lay down new sod at some point in their lives. Thankfully, NG Turf makes this process easy. Visit the website to learn more or go to https://ngturf.com/contacts/ today to get a quote from North Georgia’s premium sod supplier.

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Company Name: NG Turf
Contact Person: Media Relations
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Phone: (770) 832-8608
Address:1487 Black Dirt Road
City: Whitesburg
State: Georgia
Country: United States
Website: https://ngturf.com/