Did you know that the best time to fertilize in spring depends on whether you’re growing cool or warm season grasses? This is real! Cool season grasses, those that thrive in cooler temperatures, are best fertilized in fall, when the growing season is at its peak. Of course, you can also add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer in the spring if you missed fertilizer last fall or your lawn isn’t looking great. For warm season grasses that love high temperatures, it is important to fertilize after vigorous growth begins in spring. So, when is the best time to fertilize your lawn in spring? Fertilizing in mid to late spring is ideal. This ensures healthy growth and suppresses weeds throughout the season.
Are you ready to start your spring landscaping? While spring is the best time to fertilize, here are some tips for handling fertilizer safely, as well as some other things you can do to promote a healthy lawn.
Handle fertilizer with care
Fertilizing your lawn is essential to its green, healthy appearance. However, it is important to keep proper care and safety in mind when handling any fertilizer.
Read and follow package directions carefully before starting. It is also important to wear gloves and goggles when handling fertilizers, as most fertilizers contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and eyes. Keep pets and children away from the area during application and take other precautions as needed. Learn more about fertilizer and pet safety here. After fertilizing, be sure to sweep up any floating particles from walkways and wipe down garden equipment and shoe soles. This will prevent accidental contact with the fertilizer contents. Finally, store unused fertilizer in a safe, dry place out of the reach of pets and children. You can find more information on fertilizer safety and how often to fertilize your lawn find more here.
Read and follow package directions carefully before starting. It is also important to wear gloves and goggles when handling fertilizers, as most fertilizers contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and eyes. Keep pets and children away from the area during application and take other precautions as needed. Learn more about fertilizer and pet safety here. After fertilizing, be sure to sweep up any floating particles from walkways and wipe down garden equipment and shoe soles. This will prevent accidental contact with the fertilizer contents. Finally, store unused fertilizer in a safe, dry place out of the reach of pets and children. You can find more information on fertilizer safety and how often to fertilize your lawn find more here. Manicured lawn
Owning a lawn means you need a plan for what to do with your mowed lawn. While you might want to simply toss them in the trash, you might want to think about putting that scrap to better use! Mown grass is an excellent natural fertilizer that will help your lawn develop lush greenery. Simply leaving the clippings on your lawn after mowing will add the nitrogen it needs to the soil and use the moisture stored in the clippings to feed and water the freshly clipped grass. If you have a garden, you can also use the trimmed lawn as compost to feed a variety of plants. Learn more about how to get the most out of your mowed lawn (Add a Link).
Related: Create beautiful spring lawns and gardens find here.
Add compost to your lawn
For a natural approach to a healthy lawn, compost can also be added to improve the growth and appearance of your lawn. Compost, by definition, is the decaying organic matter that plants need to grow. Adding compost to your lawn or garden can help improve soil condition, break up compacted areas and encourage the growth of beneficial microbes. You can compost all types of kitchen waste, paper and cardboard waste, and lawn clippings. With a little maintenance and time, you can turn a pile of unused organic matter into your lawn’s favorite fertilizer.
Related topics: Benefits of adding compost to your lawn find here.
Overseed
If your lawn is looking a little messy, have you considered reseeding? Reseeding is a way to improve the health and appearance of your lawn without having to completely remove it and start over. It can help with problems like brown or bare patches, or it can switch between warm season and cool season lawns for a green lawn year round.
To take care of your lawn, you need to start by clearing the ground. Mow your existing lawn to a very low height, then rake the area you want to seed to break up the soil. Then add compost or rich soil, grass seeds, and water, and watch the new grass grow over the next few days. Check out the information to learn more about how to properly care for your lawn find more here.
To take care of your lawn, you need to start by clearing the ground. Mow your existing lawn to a very low height, then rake the area you want to seed to break up the soil. Then add compost or rich soil, grass seeds, and water, and watch the new grass grow over the next few days. Check out the information to learn more about how to properly care for your lawn find more here. Spring is also the time to control crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicides. Generally, plants planted before germination in spring will not seed effectively until fall. It can technically be planted within 16 weeks of application, but in most areas, it will be planted during the hottest part of summer. Sowing is not recommended at that time. If you choose to sow, delay pre-emergence treatments. Crabgrass grown after new planting can be treated after multiple mowing.
Receive professional lawn fertilization assistance
Fertilizing your lawn is an important part of regular lawn care, but getting the job done takes time and expertise. Knowing how and when to fertilize garden plants and lawns can be difficult. If you’re still wondering when is the best time to fertilize your lawn in spring, or if you’re wondering if it’s okay to over-fertilize your lawn, it might be time to find someone who knows the answer!
RDK Landscaping, our team of lawn care experts can test your soil, recommend the right fertilizer for your lawn type, and apply it at the right time for you. Learn more about this and other great services we offer find more.
