We all love a green and healthy lawn as a perfect backdrop for summer cookouts and roughhousing with the kids, and proper lawn care and fertilizing is the best way to get one. Experts agree that if you only fertilize your lawn one time during the year, fall is hands-down the best time. Why? Because you’re setting your lawn’s health up for the next year, encouraging deep and healthy roots that resist drought, pests, and weeds. And fertilizing your fall lawn is easy when you follow our 6 simple steps!
1. Time matters. Early autumn to late fall is the perfect time to fertilize, but to be on the safe side, always follow recommendations not only for your area but for the type of grass you have.
2. Choose your fertilizer carefully. Look for a product that has higher amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and calcium — and slightly less of nitrogen. Applying too much nitrogen encourages new green growth that can be damaged by an early frost or freeze.
3. Mow beforehand. Mow your grass at the recommended height before fertilizing, and go ahead and let some of the clippings fall in place for added nutrients.
4. Fertilize on dry grass. Never fertilize right after a rainfall; be sure the grass blades are dry before applying.
5. Apply according to directions. Never apply more fertilizer than is recommended, thinking that “more is better.” More can actually damage your grass, so adhere to the package label faithfully.
6. To water or not to water? There is some discrepancy on whether or not you should water your lawn right after fertilizing. Our recommendation is to feel free to water in lightly without soaking your lawn, or simply wait until later in the week when you’re expecting some rainfall.
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Thanks for explaining some ways you can fertilize your lawn in the fall. I actually didn’t know that you should pick a certain fertilizer, like you need one that has slightly less nitrogen. I’m kind of interested to learn what each of these chemicals can do specifically and how they can benefit the lawn.
It’s good to know that fertilizer with higher potassium and less nitrogen because that could damage the grass. My lawn isn’t growing as well as I’d like, and I suspect it may need a good fertilizer to kickstart its growth. I wouldn’t mind sticking to a fertilizer with all these elements if it provides me better results over time.
It’s great to know that early to late autumn is the best time to fertilize your lawn, and you should look for a product that has good amounts of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. My husband is wanting our lawn to be greener this year and is needing some tips since neither of us has much experience. I think that hiring a lawn fertilization service could be the best option for us.