Use your fall lawn fertilizer at the beginning of the season, from late September to early November. Apply it by testing your soil, choosing the fertilizer, mowing the lawn, watering lightly, applying the fertilizer evenly, watering again, cleaning up, and monitoring the growth.
Your lawn deserves careful attention in all seasons, and fall is no different. Applying grass fertilizer during fall is an intelligent strategy for reaching a green, lush lawn. This guide will help you understand the right timing to fertilize your lawn and the detailed steps to do so. Read on!
When Do I Fertilize My Lawn?
The general instruction for fertilizing your lawn is to begin in early fall, between late September and early November. You should fertilize it when temperatures start dropping and the grass stops growing, and you must do it before the first frost and before the ground freezes.
However, we live in a big country with different climates, so the grass you have might be different from folks in other regions. Make sure you plan your fall lawn fertilizing according to your region's climate and the type of grass in your lawn!
Continue reading to learn the steps to the best lawn treatment in the fall!
How To Fertilize Lawn?
To apply fall fertilizer for lawns, you must test your soil, choose the fertilizer, mow the lawn, water lightly, apply the fertilizer evenly, water again, clean up, and monitor the growth. Want to know more? Read the explained steps in the list below.
1. Test Your Soil
You must know the nutrient levels of your soil before applying any fertilizer. A soil test reveals deficiencies in nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium (N-P-K) and the pH level of the soil. You can purchase a DIY soil testing kit or send a sample to your local agricultural extension service. The results will help you choose a fertilizer that provides the nutrients your lawn needs.
2. Choose The Right Fertilizer
Fertilizers come in different ratios of N-P-K, each serving the specific needs revealed by the test! See what each nutrient provides to the lawn in the list below!
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Nitrogen (N) promotes healthy green growth.
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Phosphorus (P) supports root development.
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Potassium (K) strengthens grass to resist diseases and environmental stresses.
In the fall, nitrogen is vital to encouraging root growth and recovery before winter. So, look for a fertilizer with a higher first number in the N-P-K ratio, such as 20-8-8. You can also use a winterized lawn fertilizer if you have cool-season grass, as it concentrates on potassium!
3. Mow The Lawn
A day or two before fertilizing, mow your lawn to the recommended height for your grass type, avoiding cutting it too short so as not to stress the grass. Mowing helps the fertilizer reach the soil more effectively than sitting on top of tall grass blades.
4. Water The Lawn Before Fertilizing
Watering your lawn lightly a day or two before fertilizing will help soften the soil and improve fertilizer absorption. Beware not to overwater or fertilize immediately after heavy rain! Applying fertilizer to wet grass can lead to uneven distribution, poor nutrient absorption, and damage to the lawn.
5. Apply The Fertilizer Evenly
You can use a broadcast spreader for large areas or a drop spreader for more precise applications in smaller or narrower regions. Set the spreader to the correct setting according to the fertilizer instructions. A great strategy is to walk straight lines across the lawn, slightly overlapping each pass to ensure even coverage.
6. Water Again After Fertilizing
Watering after fertilizing is crucial for two reasons: It helps the granules dissolve and get absorbed into the soil and prevents fertilizer from sitting on the grass blades, which can cause burning. Learn the best time to water the grass and then water lightly, just enough to wash the fertilizer into the soil without creating runoff.
7. Clean Up
After fertilizing, sweep or blow any excess granules off hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, or patios. Fertilizers left on these surfaces can wash away into storm drains, leading to environmental issues and staining concrete and other surfaces.
8. Monitor Growth
After fertilizing, you should start seeing the results within a week or two; then, you will see a green and healthy lawn. Check for any signs of over-fertilization, such as patchy growth or brown spots, which could indicate burning.
With the proper fall lawn fertilizer, the correct timing, and the essential steps, you will provide your lawn with the proper nutrients to thrive through the fall and prepare for winter dormancy. Still, with eHARDHAT lawn specialists, your lawn's success is guaranteed!
