Spring and Autumn Fertilization

Fertilizer Fundamentals

Proper fertilization is necessary to help your lawn recover from the stress of summer conditions and prepare for the next growing season. Fertilizing your lawn in late fall helps the grass fill in the fine spots.

A deep root system helps plants survive the winter and start growing early next spring. Also, fertilizing will give you a deep green color this fall and your lawn will be green early next spring.

Typically, lawns provide extra nutrients, but there is a right way to choose and use them. Here’s what to avoid and what to do instead.

What to avoid

• Avoid the use of quick-release chemical fertilizers. With their high concentration of nutrients, your lawn will turn green quickly, but they are harsh on the environment and using too much can really burn your grass.
• If you have safety animals, do not use bone meal, blood meal and fish meal fertilizers. Dogs, in particular, look attractive and ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, some are also laced with toxic insecticides.
• Do not mix starter fertilizer with weed control when trying to grow new grass. The seeds will not be able to germinate properly and will be a waste of time and money.

What to do

• Always check the label. will probably indicate how much phosphorus and potassium are contained, in that order.
• Use higher particulate fertilizers in spring and summer.
• Use a fall fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium for better root growth.
• Slow release fertilizers are recommended for use. They won’t have an immediate impact, but it’s better for the long-term health of your lawn.
• Organic fertilizers are slower to infuse nutrients, but they don’t harm the environment.
• Limit your fertilizer applications to twice a year. We recommend once in late spring and again in early summer.
• Keep fertilizers away from areas where rainwater can carry them into culverts and then into rivers and lakes.
• Fertilizing your lawn is essential to having a beautiful and consistent garden.