Fertilize lawn to fuel it with proper nutrients

For some reason, the question of the spring is "Do I fertilize my lawn, and if I do, what do I fertilize with, and when?" I am not sure where to start, so here goes.

Yes, you should fertilize your lawn. It is important for you to provide adequate nitrogen (N), the first number on a bag of fertilizer. Nitrogen is in demand during growth for all kinds of plant chemical reactions as well as an ingredient in the structural integrity of the grass plant. Nitrogen should be added to the soil seasonally, because it does not store well in soils.

Phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), the second and third number on a bag of fertilizer, are important for good root and seed development, as well as chemical reactions and structural integrity during plant growth. These numbers are usually lower than the first number, nitrogen, if the fertilizer is designed for use on existing turf.

P and K are often found in adequate levels of soils in the Heartland, but not always. Therefore a soil test is a must to insure adequate nutrients for turf-grass growth. In many cases phosphorous is not even needed to be applied annually. A good fertilizer to use most of the year would be something like a 24-0-4. This fertilizer works well on warm and cool season grasses.

The really important question is, "When do I fertilize the turf grass growing in my lawn"? To answer this question, you must first ask another one. "Is your lawn primarily a warm season lawn of Bermuda or zoysia, or is it a cool season lawn of bluegrass, fescue, rye or a combination of these?"

You fertilize these lawn grasses when they are growing rapidly. You fertilize warm season grasses one or two times during the early summer months. They must have adequate nitrogen levels to insure good leaf and root development.

If your lawn consists of cool season grasses, then fertilize lightly in the spring to help support that short spurt of growth. Then back off on fertilization during the late spring and summer months, when these grasses slow down their growth rate. Finally in the fall, use a high nitrogen fertilizer during the early part of the fall and in late fall. You want to encourage good plant development to withstand the variability of fall and winter weather in the Heartland.

You may find lawn fertilizers that also contain pesticides. Make sure that the fertilizer you use is the right one for the time of the year you apply it in encourage good grass growth and development while also containing the right pesticide for the season. There are several combinations of pesticides mixed with fertilizers on the market. If you are not sure which one to use, ask a knowledgeable store clerk to help you.

Keep your lawn in great shape by fertilizing with the right product at the right time of year. Your neighbors will be envious.