Fertilizer Facts
by
Gabby Hyman All About Lawns Columnist
No matter where you live in the United States, nitrogen-based grass fertilizer can spell the difference between a healthy lawn and a brown, splotchy mess. Most lawn care companies believe in three-season maintenance, using a fertilizer that deploys a well-balanced mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium along with other trace minerals. Throughout its growth cycle, grass simply needs more nitrogen than any other nutrient. Why Nitrogen? Soluble, inorganic lawn feed in the form of ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulfates helps the creation of healthy grass blades over short-term cycles. More expensive varieties of slow-release organic fertilizers work over longer periods and require less frequent application to help your lawn maintain a healthy green hue without excessive growth.
Feed Your Lawn a Well Balanced DietMost fertilizer is sold in combinations that reflect components of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)--in that order. Established warm and cool season grasses generally fare well with a 4-1-2 (NPK) ratio. Of course, you'll want to apply the least amount of fertilizer possible without burning out your lawn and still feeding it everything it needs to thrive with the right balance of nutrients.
Cool-season grasses need feeding in early spring once the lawn greens up on its own, with the last pre-winter snack applied a month before the first snap of frost. Ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass appreciate one or two light feeding sessions before winter.
Warm-season lawns need a shot of nitrogen as soon as they begin to grow in spring, and you can even feed them once more after the initial frost in fall. These lawns also like light fertilizing during the mid-summer growth months--just be careful not to overdo it.
Remember, more is not always better. When in doubt, be sure to ask a local lawn care expert which fertilizer and schedule works best for your grass type and region.
About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for
Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems,
Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
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