Fall Fertilizer for Your Lawn
Article Written By: Jordan E Raley
Lush lawns are something to pride for many homeowners. Often when we think of lawns, spring and summer months come to mind in vivid greens and with sprinklers at the ready. However, those of us who live in the Southeast know that summer months can be especially brutal to our landscaping, particularly our grass. Heavy summer storms partnered with high-heat droughts can leave lawns looking sparse, patchy, and course. Thankfully, with the start of September and the (slow) trend toward cooler temperatures, fall can provide a wonderful time to revitalize your lawn so that it stays healthy during the cold months and looks vibrant once Spring arrives.
Typically, your traditional turf grass, though pretty and usually easy to maintain, requires extra support due to depleted soil nutrients from heavy rains and soaring temperatures. For grass to look and function its best, this support comes from proper fertilization. The kinds of fertilizers vary depending on your turf type; however, when and how to fertilize couldn’t be simpler.
When to fertilize
Fall is a wonderful time to fertilize lawns and get them in ship-shape before winter hits. Ideally, you’ll want to fertilize your turf 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes. To find approximate dates, you can connect with nurseries local to your area as they’ll have great insight. Fertilizing before winter helps give your grass a strong chance to build resilience before the plunging temps truly set in. Fall also provides cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings where daytime heat will work against your fertilizers. Take advantage of a chilly morning to get your lawn ready without the worry of heat stroke!
Types of fertilizer
Fertilizer types vary depending on your grass type so do your research. Fertilizers come in a multitude of types such as dry grain which is great to visually see, liquids which make quick time of application and absorbs much quicker, and natural materials like compost or manure. Determining what and how you want to distribute the fertilizer is key.
Once you have found your grass type, check out the nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium trinity (or NPK indicator on fertilizer labels) to ensure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients into your turf. If possible, test your grass and soil before applying any fertilizer so you can maximize the right nutrients for your grass.
Cool-season grass varieties such as bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrass are common in the Southeast and look for fertilizers that have high concentrations of nitrogen. Nitrogen is important for these types as it encourages growth and vibrant green coloring. Slow-release fertilizer is longer lasting for these varieties. You don’t need to apply these fertilizers as often, and they produce more even growth.
Warm-season grass varieties commonly found in the Southeast are Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia. While these grasses don’t look for high nitrogen content, they do look for potassium to aid in root development and resistance to drought and disease.
How to fertilize
Start your fertilizing process by mowing dry grass. Fertilizing works best when there’s not forthcoming rain as you don’t want to contribute to run off and don’t want to work against sopping grass.
Next, determine your lawn size. The size of the lawn will determine the correct amount of fertilizer you’ll need to use for proper coverage. Determine length x width and subtract any square footage you don’t plan to fertilizer (think house & driveway here).
Once you’ve determined your size, select your fertilizer type and distribution channel (though always check the instructions on your fertilizer before dispersing). Liquids are easily dispersed through hose-style sprayers and make quick work of application. Dry grains require spreaders or shakers to distribute the fertilizer best evenly throughout your space. Natural fertilizers like manure may require more time to “cure” but can be disseminated through use of spreaders as well.
Once the fertilizer has been spread or sprayed throughout, water your lawn. After this initial watering, avoid watering your lawn for a couple days so the nutrients can settle in. Then, return to your regular lawn-watering schedule. The water helps the fertilizer soak into the soil and provide the nutrients needed to take care of your lush landscape.
After your fertilizer has been applied and watered, follow the applicable fertilizer instructions regarding reapplication timing. Soon enough, you’ll have your lawn looking and feeling its best throughout winter and into next Spring!
If your are looking to get your lawn replaced altogether, call Full Circle Land Design for a free quote!