Why is Fertilizer so Important for Your Lawn?

When it comes to fertilizer for your lawn, we have all heard how it is the foundation of a healthy lawn, but it seems like there are so many variables that go along with it. When is the best time to fertilize, how much is enough, how much is too much and the list goes on! If you feel overwhelmed by the process, just know that you aren’t alone! The specialists at Divine Lawns have been providing fertilization services for years and understand all of the intricacies associated with achieving the best results! Our clients trust our knowledge and expertise to turn their lifeless lawns into full, healthy, beautifully green properties. If you want your lawn to look better than ever, consult a professional about fertilizer services to keep you from wasting resources or potentially killing your lawn.

Different Types of Fertilizer

Fertilizer is classified by the ratio of its components. Each bag contains a different mixture of three elements, represented by their respective letter on the table of elements. First is N for nitrogen, next is K for potassium, and P for phosphate. The different mixtures offer different benefits for your lawn depending on what your lawn needs more of. If the soil of your lawn is already nitrogen-rich, an abundance of nitrogen can promote the rapid growth of certain weeds. For more information about weeds and the conditions, they prosper in, read the full article here. Fertilizer occurs naturally, but on a much slower scale. The elements that you supplement your lawn with, are all present in wild plant material. As plants grow and make use of the elements in the soil, over time the soil can become depleted, limiting potential growth and plant health. When nearby plants die or shed their leaves, the material that falls to the floor is slowly biodegraded into bioavailable elements again. This top layer is mixed back into the soil over time, an incredible example of nature’s recycling program.

How Does Fertilizer Benefit my Lawn?

As mentioned above, the different components of fertilizer each offer unique benefits to your lawn. Think of fertilizer as vitamins for plants, in the same way that we supplement our bodies for better function, plants can benefit in the same way!

• A good balance of Nitrogen (N) helps increase the growth rate of your lawn and gives it that beautiful green color.
• Phosphate (P) is important for the development of roots, ensuring that they grow deep into the soil and helping your grass fend off invasive species.
• Potassium (K) is useful for general lawn health, making your grass more robust, resistant to plant diseases as well as protection during times of drought.

What you Need to Know

If you are inexperienced with applying fertilizer, you should consult a professional who can provide the service for you, or at the very least, make you aware of potential hazards! Fertilizer may be comprised of natural compounds, but they are much more concentrated and potent than you would ever find in nature. You need to be cautious not to let any touch your skin and always wash your hands before touching your face/eyes. There is nothing to worry about, so long as you follow safety precautions.

Fertilizer Burn

You might have seen lawns that look like they have sun spots, areas of grass that are ‘scorched’, brown colored, and crisp to the touch. Well, this is likely grass that has suffered fertilizer burn! When you apply fertilizer to your lawn, too much in a concentrated area can saturate the soil and actually cause a chemical burn, killing the grass in that area.

Health Hazards

If you hire a professional for fertilizer services, or if you buy a bag from your local hardware store, you should be given a warning not to walk on your lawn barefoot or allow pets or children to play on the grass for 24 hours, or until it has completely dried. The same compounds that can burn your grass, can much more easily burn your skin. You need to allow the fertilizer to mix with the soil and dilute before it is safe to walk on your grass again.

Fertilizer Run-Off

Specialists have concluded that 100% of fertilizer that lands on a hard surface will dissolve and end up in storm drains or local water supplies, instead of in the soil. That’s why it’s so important to clean up after applying to your lawn, or at the very least, ensure everything ends up on your lawn. As a general rule, you should stay about 20 feet away from wells and water supplies when fertilizing to avoid contamination.

When is the Best Time to Fertilize my Lawn?

There isn’t necessarily a ‘best time’, although if you only do it once a year, spring would likely be the best decision due to the wet weather. Another rule to follow is that you should only fertilize your lawn every 6-8 weeks. This allows plenty of time for your grass to absorb and make use of the nutrients in the soil, depleting it slightly. Depending on the length of your growing season, if you fertilize in early spring, you should be able to fertilize again mid-summer and one last time in the fall well before the first appearance of any frost. This routine schedule can provide the biggest boost to your lawn’s growth potential and optimize its health.

Want to Learn More About Fertilizer Services?

The professional team at Divine Lawns has years of experience with recognizing what your lawn needs and creating a fertilizing schedule to leave your lawn looking greener and healthier than ever. We handle the entire process from application to clean-up and will leave signage on the lawn to remind you to stay off. You can schedule treatments annually so you don’t need to call and re-schedule, our team will return 4-6 weeks later and re-fertilize. If you have any questions about lawn fertilizer or any of our comprehensive landscaping services, call or book an appointment online with the team of experts at Divine Lawns