When spring arrives, your lawn gets a big figurative smile. The seasonal change brings with it warmer temperatures and more daylight. Those are the exact things it craves after spending time being dormant during the winter months.
If you want to give your lawn an extra boost while it’s waking up, adding a fertilizer that amends the soil for what is missing is a great choice. [[1]]
Before using fertilizer, the ground temperature should be at least 55°F (13°C). That ensures the root systems can maximize the use of the added nutrients.
When is the Best Time to Fertilize a Lawn?
The best time to fertilize a lawn for the first time is usually in March or April. If you live in a warmer climate, applying your preferred product in February could be appropriate. [[2]]
It’s usually better to water your lawn a few days before applying the fertilizer. It can be from natural rainfall or your sprinkler system.
When you apply the correct fertilizer, the lawn receives the extra nutrients it needs to prevent crabgrass and other weeds from growing. You’ll receive a thick, lush carpet that feels soft to the feet with this work.
Although fertilizer provides several benefits, you can overdo it with too much. Extra nitrogen can even burn the grass, creating yellow spots and dead areas. [[3]]
A complete feeding with fertilizer is typically recommended about five or six times per year. The best time to add your preferred product is when it is in a rapid growth cycle.
Warm-season grasses typically need to have fertilizer applied about every six to eight weeks. If you have a cool-season variety, you can have the first application occur in the late spring, but only if necessary.
If your grass looks thick and green, it might not need any extra fertilizer. When it starts looking brown, it’ll be the right time to give your lawn some extra love.
What If I’ve Recently Overseeded My Lawn?
The best time to fertilize a lawn is right after or just before you’ve done overseeding work. When you have a starter fertilizer available, it’ll offer a quick-release nitrogen profile to give the seeds an extra nutritional boost that encourages germination.
Although fertilizer isn’t 100% necessary for grass seeds to germinate, it does make the process faster. If you’re trying to fix bare spots or solve patchiness, a quick fix establishes a more robust root profile that supports the rest of the lawn.
With fertilizer, the grass should grow faster, making it more likely you’ll get a lush and healthy lawn to enjoy throughout the year.
What If My Lawn Has Yellow Spots?
When you see yellow spots in your lawn, it is typically because iron or nitrogen deficiencies are present. [[4]]
If grass doesn’t get enough nitrogen, it can leave you with stunted growth or turn the blades a yellowish color.
It can also turn this way when the soil receives pockets of excessive nitrogen. This issue typically occurs when dogs urinate in the same spot. The associated salts put too much fertilizer in one area, causing the sod to burn.
You can treat yellow spots caused by deficiencies by restoring the nutrient balance. Testing can help to determine if iron or nitrogen replacement is necessary.
If a dog is causing the issue with the lawn spotting, you can apply these fixes to correct the situation. [[5]]
- Dilute the area where the dog urinates with water immediately after your pet has finished.
- Set your irrigation system to water the places your dog uses daily.
- Train your dog to use an area of the yard where grass growth doesn’t matter.
- Increase your pet’s water consumption to dilute the nitrogen and salts.
What Are the Best Fertilizers to Use on a Lawn?
The best fertilizers to use on a lawn are slow-release varieties. This option ensures the grass gets green without growing out of control. Most homeowners benefit from using a 20-5-10 product for nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, respectively.
Before applying fertilizer to your lawn, it helps to perform a soil pH test. The information from that investment lets you base the mixture percentages on the results your lawn needs.
If you discover that the soil already has high phosphate levels, you could apply a product that doesn’t have as much in the ingredient base.
Most lawns benefit from a fertilization plan. Reach out to our team if you’d like some help setting up a care schedule for your property, and we’ll be happy to put together an affordable way to help your grass stay lush and green.
