The Environmentally Proper Way To Fertilize Your Lawn

(HIT) - Think of fertilizer as vitamins for your lawn. Too much could be harmful. Too little can result in poor health and susceptibility to diseases. In addition to increasing property value, a healthy, properly-maintained lawn is pleasing to look at and provides significant environmental benefits relating to air and water quality, according to scientific research gathered by The Lawn Institute.

Maintaining a healthy, environmentally beneficial lawn requires proper maintenance techniques, from mowing and watering, to fertilizing and sometimes pesticides and herbicides—but only when needed.

When Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?

The most effective time to apply fertilizer to your lawn depends on where you are located geographically and the type of grass you have. The best time to fertilize warm-season grasses is mid-summer; for cool-season grasses, late spring or early fall is best.

What Type and How Much Fertilizer Should You Use?

Lawns within each climatic region of the country are different. Ideally, contact your state’s agriculture extension agent to find out the procedures for conducting a soil sampling and analysis to determine your lawn’s fertility needs. At the very least, ask your local lawn and garden retailer which fertilizer is best and when it should be applied.

Proper Application

To assure uniform coverage with either a broadcast spreader or a drop spreader, adjust the spreader application dial to distribute one-half of the fertilizer bag’s recommended setting. Make the first application in an up-and-down pattern, covering the entire lawn. Begin the second application immediately in a left-to-right pattern over the entire lawn. This technique helps eliminate the fertilizer-striped lawns by assuring even and thorough coverage.

What’s In a Bag of Fertilizer?

The label on a typical bag of lawn has three numbers, such as 5-10-5, indicating the contents. Those numbers represent the ratios, by weight, of three major macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), all of which are essential to healthy plant life. For example, a 50-lb. bag of fertilizer labeled 5-10-5, has 5% N (2.5 lbs.), 10% (5 lbs.) P, and 5% (2.5 lbs.) K. The bag’s remaining 80% (40 lbs.) by weight is a carrier for the fertilizer, making it easier to apply to your lawn.

The importance of these macronutrients is: "N" gives plants the ability to grow rapidly and produce large amounts of succulent, green leaves; "P" plays an important role in seedling development, cell building and root growth; and "K" helps the overall cell structure of a plant by making it more resistant to disease and physical damage due to heavy foot traffic. When properly applied, these macronutrients encourage a healthy lawn which significantly contributes to a healthier environment than a lawn that receives no nutrients.

Misinformation About Phosphorus (P)

Lack of scientific knowledge has led to a major misconception about phosphorus.

Myth: The use of phosphorus on your lawn is bad for the environment.

Scientific Fact: Scientists have determined that phosphorus run-off from non-fertilized grass is actually as much as 147% higher than grass that was properly fertilized.

Reason: The un-fertilized lawn thinned out so badly that the rate of water flow across the soil surface increased, thereby allowing less time for infiltration into the soil and results in high levels of run-off. Also proven is that most phosphorus run-off occurs in the spring and fall when flower parts, tree seeds, leaves and decaying plants are at their highest levels. Homeowners can minimize run-off by choosing a high-quality fertilizer with minimum amounts of phosphorus, following the manufacturer’s directions, keeping leaves and other plant materials out of the street and by maintaining healthy, dense turf.

Fertilizer "Dos" and "Don’ts"

DO:

Check the calibration setting on your fertilizer spreader
Follow the recommended setting for your particular spreader
Fill and clean your fertilizer spreader over a grassy area
After applying lawn fertilizer, sweep off any granules from sidewalks and other hard services
Store left-over fertilizer in a dry area for next year’s use

DON’T:

Fertilize when the weather forecast is calling for rain
Leave fertilizer on sidewalks, driveways or other hard surfaces
Fill or clean a fertilizer spreader over hard surfaces
Position the spreader at a setting that is higher than the setting recommended by the manufacturer
Fertilize immediately before or during drought

For more information, visit The Lawn Institute at www.lawnstitute.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center