Fertilizer

Our grass craves periodic feedings, and it is best to meet this need for periodic feedings by fertilizing lawns with "slow-release" products. You'll find such products at local home improvement stores, such as Lowe's and Home Depot. Because these products release their nutrients over time, rather than all at once, fertilizing lawns with them allows the grass to "eat" at its own leisure. As nutrients are released, the root system of your grass fills in any bare patches, depriving weed seeds of a place to germinate. (Of course, as a substitute for all this, you can stay organic and simply top dress your lawns with compost in spring and fall.)

There are 16 essential nutrients that a plant must have in order to grow effectively, N, P, K, and Fe often being deficient in soils. Fertilizer is mostly comprised of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) = N-P-K. The label on a bag will show three numbers in a dashed sequence like so: 16-0-2, this would mean that 16% of the bag contains N, 0% P, and 2% K. More often that not, N will be the highest number because turf is in constant need of N. Phosphorus is not common in a normal fertilizer application because it is immobile (meaning it will not easily move to the soil for the plant to reach- it must must originally be in the soil before establishment for turf to obtain [this is why we mix a decent amount of P into the soil before seeding/sodding]). A moderate amount of K is needed for constant growth so it is often added. Iron (Fe) is another nutrient found in a bag of fertilizer, Fe will make grass greener and the change can be seen almost immediately.

Before fertilizing lawns with products, read the instructions on the bag carefully (or ask someone at the store for details). A particular product may not be suitable for your type of grass. When applying fertilizers, follow directions correctly, concerning how much to apply, how often they should be applied, and under what conditions they should be applied.

Fertilizing lawns is best done with a spreader. Careful not to fill the applicator with the spreader parked on the grass. Doing so invites grass-burn, as you may accidentally discharge too much while loading. Instead, fill the applicator somewhere else, then wheel the spreader onto the grass.

General Fertilizer Plan:
Heavy application N (half quick release/slow release) and K in March. A moderate amount slow release N in May, a moderate amount slow release in August, a heavy amount slow release in November for overseeding.