One of the most important things you can do for your lawn is to fertilizeĀ it. A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic, and other stresses.
WHAT DOES FERTILIZING DO TO YOUR LAWN
The soil supplies grass with some essential nutrients, but most soils can’t provide everything your lawn needs throughout the whole growing season. An actively growing lawn uses a great deal of energy from these nutrients. Lawn fertilizer helps your grass stay healthy by promoting new leaf and root growth.
The use of fertilizer willĀ strengthen your grass roots so they can quickly absorb more water than unhealthy roots. This firms your soil and lessens the chances of water pooling to form messy mud puddles and bare patches.
WHEN TO FERTILIZE LAWN
While feeding your lawn once a year will improve its condition, feeding it 4 times a year will make it even healthier and more beautiful.
Early Spring
Your lawn wakes up hungry in the spring after being dormant for the winter! Fertlizing it strengthens roots and gets it off to a good start.Time Frame:
Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).Late Spring
By this point your grass is busy and using up stored energy, so you need to keep it well-nourished.Time Frame:
Apply late spring lawn fertilizer once between April and June, 6 to 8 weeks after the early spring feeding.Summer
Summer is tough on grass, thanks to heat, drought, foot traffic, and insects. Fertilizing helps protect and strengthen it.Time Frame:
Apply summer lawn fertilizer once between June and August, 6 to 8 weeks after the late spring feeding.Fall
Your lawn is looking for the nutrients it needs to recover from summer damage while getting ready for its winter nap. Doing your fall lawn fertilization now will strengthen roots and increase nitrogen storage for a healthy, green lawn next spring.Time Frame:
Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, 6 to 8 weeks after the summer feeding.