Lawn Fertilizer Schedule

It’s spring! And for the majority of you homeowners out there, that means it’s time to get the yard into shape. Perhaps the most important step when beginning your seasonal yard work is dealing with the largest, most visible feature of your property: The lawn. Fertilizing your lawn will not only green and thicken your yard, but also protect it against common pests like grubs and weeds. The following seven steps will get you from an embarrassing ’winter thaw’ lawn, to a vibrant trophy lawn.

step one: Timing! - Fertilizing your lawn is important, but fertilizing at the wrong time can be almost as useless as not fertilizing at all. Wait for your lawn to de-thaw before spreading your fertilizer. This generally takes a few weeks of early-spring weather, and will generally grow enough to require a mow or two.

Step two: Choosing! - Now it’s time to select a fertilizer. Look for brands of fertilizer that fit your lawns needs. On the side of the bag should be a list of types of grass the fertilizer is good for (Bluegrass and Zoysia are two of the most common) and check to see how often it should be applied.

step three: For the young lawn - A young lawn of two years or less will appreciate a formula designed for it. Theses formulas will be obvious, as the bag will read ’new lawn’ or ’starter formula’ on the side. These formulas have strong thickening properties essential to the development of new lawns.

step four: For the old lawn - Select slow-release, granular complete fertilizers for lawns of more than 2 years. These formulas come packed with nutrients that will deliver steady growth throughout the season. Avoid fertilizers that use only one ingredient, like nitrogen or potassium.

step five: Spread! - Buy or borrow a spreader. Calibrate the spreader to a setting conducive to your fertilizer’s needs, and ’mow your lawn’ with it. Cover the lawn once, walking at a steady pace, in a way that will provide even coverage.

step six: water-soluble fertilizer - These brands don’t last long, so repeat as directed by the label. Use these with caution, and spread them evenly to avoid over-feeding.

step seven: Repeat at least twice per season! Not only do you want to get your lawn in good shape, but you want it to stay that way. Be sure to double check your bag to ensure that your lawn is getting the correct amount of fertilization each year.