Fertilizing your lawn will help keep it healthy while allowing it to grow and thrive. However, you have to know when to fertilize your lawn to be the most effective. When you apply fertilizer depends on the type of grass you have, the growing zone, and which fertilizer will work best. We’ll break it down for you below.
Step One – Identify the Grass Type
The first thing you have to do is identify which type of grass you have. You can split the grass type into two broad categories.
- Warm-Season – If you have warm-season grass, you most likely live in the Southern region of the United States. These types of grass have a tropical origin, and they grow best in warmer temperatures. They’re very hardy, and this grass will form a thick lawn that gets more dense as time goes on. Centipede grass, Bermuda grass, Kikuyu grass, St. Augustine grass, and Zoysia grass are the main types.
- Cool-Season – Cool-season grass grows best in the northern half of the United States. Ryegrass, Fescues, and Kentucky Bluegrass are the most common types. They like lower temperatures and have two growing peaks a year. They grow quickly in the early spring and in the early fall. This type of grass can go dormant in the summer if it doesn’t get enough water, and the temperature is too high.
Step Two – Plan Your Fertilizing Schedule
Once you figure out which type of grass you have, it’s time to learn about the fertilizing schedule. Both types of grass have different needs and schedules.
Warm-Season
The best growing period for this grass is in late spring and early summer. Your temperatures should average between 80 and 95-degrees Fahrenheit. When your grass starts greening up in the spring, apply fertilizer. You’ll need three or four pounds of a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content for every 1,000 square feet. You can apply quick or slow-release fertilizer. Water your grass once you apply the fertilizer. You want the soil to fully absorb it while washing it off the blades of grass. Once the hottest part of the summer passes, apply another round.
Cool-Season
Fall and spring are the two peak growing seasons for this type of grass, and the temperatures should be between 60 and 70-degrees Fahrenheit. You want to fertilize your lawn heavily in the fall months and lightly when spring comes around. You’ll need one or two pounds of slow or quick-release fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet. It should be rich in nitrogen. There are also special fertilizers for the winter you may want to consider to protect your grass in the dormant stage. Make sure you apply the fertilizer early enough in the spring that the grass absorbs it before the hot summer temperatures push the grass to dormancy.
Contact Evergreen Landscaping
If you’re not sure how to fertilize your lawn or identify it, it’s best to have a professional help you. At Evergreen Landscaping, our friendly and experienced staff are ready to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you figure out a solid fertilizing schedule for your lawn. Contact us today.