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Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Fertilizer can be a tricky thing. If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up applying too little or too much or even using the wrong type of fertilizer. This article serves as a guide concerning everything you need to know about lawn fertilizers.
What is lawn fertilizer?
Lawn fertilizers are designed to provide nutrientsto keep your grass healthy and green. They come in different forms, including granules, liquids, pellets, tablets, and even soil amendments. Some are specifically formulated for use on turf grass, while others work well on most plants.
Fertilizer generally contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, sodium, etc. While there are many different types of lawn fertilizers, most brands fall into one of two categories: slow-release and quick-release. Slow-release fertilizers are designed to provide nutrients over about six weeks. Quick-release fertilizers work faster, providing nutrients within days.
Types of lawn fertilizer
With all the different kinds of fertilizersout there, it can be hard to know which one your grass needs. Below is a list of different types of lawn fertilizers and their characteristics.
Synthetic fertilizer
Synthetic fertilizers are made up of chemicals, usually nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and sulfur. They're used mainly for commercial purposes like golf courses, parks, and residential landscapes.
Organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are made from natural sources such as manure, compost, blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion, seaweed extracts, rock phosphate, and wood ash. They're typically used for home gardens and small farms.
Blended fertilizer
Blended fertilizers contain both synthetic and organic materials. These are often found in combination products designed for specific uses. For example, some products combine a blend of nitrogen and phosphorus while others include lime to help neutralize acidity.
Liquid fertilizer
The three most common types of liquid fertilizers used in landscaping are water soluble, slow-release, and fast acting. Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve quickly in soil and are usually applied directly to turf plants. Slow-release fertilizers take longer to break down and are often mixed into mulch. Fast-acting fertilizers are designed to work within 24 hours of application.
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Can I apply fertilizer to wet grass?
Technically, you can apply fertilizer to wet grass but it is not advisable. Although some fertilizers benefit from slightly moist grass, if your lawn is too wet, it will fail to properly absorb the nutrients. This includes both granular and liquid fertilizer products. You should avoid applying foliar fertilizer to wet grass because it could lead to nutrient burn.
Foliar fertilization is typically used to feed leaves during periods of stress, such as drought. If your lawn is already stressed due to overuse or lack of nutrients, however, you might want to consider giving it some extra nutrition. You can use granular or liquid fertilizer either on dry soil or on damp soil. You can mix liquid fertilizer into a bucket of water and spray it onto your lawn or you can add solid fertilizer to a watering can and sprinkle it on the surface of your lawn.
Why you should not fertilize wet grass
Fertilizing wet grass is a common gardening practice because many people don't realize how problematic it is. Wet grass is already full of water and nutrients. When you add fertilizer, those things are spread throughout the soil, making it easier for weeds and pests to grow.
Below arereasons why you shouldn't apply fertilizer to wet grass:
- Loss of nutrients
- Uneven distribution of fertilizer
- Overfeeding your lawn
- Polluting bodies of water
When is the best time to fertilize my lawn?
You should fertilize your lawn about 3 weeks before you plan to mow it. If you wait too long, the grass won't grow well because it won't absorb enough nutrients. The most important thing to remember is to water your lawn a few days before applying fertilizer so that the soil is moist and ready to receive the fertilizer. You don't want your soil to be dry when you apply fertilizer.
How to improve your soil
How much fertilizer should I apply?
Fertilizer recommendations are based on lawn size. A typical recommendation for a large yard might say "Apply 2 pounds per 1000 square feet." This works out to about one bag per 10 square feet. For smaller yards, the recommendation might be half that amount. There are many factors that go into determining what type of fertilizer you should use, including soil type, climate, and even grass species.
How long after rain should I apply fertilizer?
Ideally, it's best to let your grass dry for a couple of days after heavy rainfall. This will allow the moisture to soak into the ground and help prevent runoff.
What kind of fertilizer should I use on wet grass?
You can usually apply most non-liquid granular fertilizers to wet grass, but not saturated ground. If there are ponds or heavy rain, it's best to wait until the ground processes the water before applying any type of fertilizer. If there's light rain, it's okay to spread dry granular fertilizer. Rainwater helps incorporate it into the soil.
Is fertilizing my lawn when it rains beneficial?
Fertilizing your lawn during rainy weather is one way to ensure that your yard gets the nutrition it needs. Rainfall helps dissolve fertilizer and get the nutrients down into the soil where they are most effective. In addition, rainfall helps to activate fertilizers and speed up the process.
If you don't want to wait until dry weather to apply fertilizer, try planning ahead so that you're not out in the rain while applying it. This will help keep your hands clean and make things easier to manage. However, it is important to remember that a heavy downpour and sodden grass do not mix well with fertilizer.
Should fertilizer be used before or after watering?
Typically, you should hydrate your lawn prior to applying any fertilizer, or apply it during the early hours of dawn when the grass is still damp with dew. The moistness aids the fertilizers to adhere to the weeds' leaves.
Fertilizer application on wet grass
The effects of fertilizing wet grass vary according to the type of fertilization method you choose. In general, applying nitrogen-based fertilizers leads to healthier, greener turf. Nitrogen helps build cell walls and chlorophyll, while potassium encourages leaf expansion. Calcium promotes healthy roots and magnesium supports overall health.
Quick-release fertilizer
Quick-release fertilizers are designed to provide immediate nutrition to plants. They work quickly because they contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. These elements help plants grow fast. The problem is that these fertilizers don't break down easily. They remain in the ground longer than slow-release fertilizers. If you apply too much of these fertilizers to wet grass, they can cause runoff problems.
Granular fertilizer
Granular fertilizers come in different forms, including pellets, prills, and dust. They are very popular because they are easy to use and don't require much watering. However, there are some downsides to using granular fertilizers. For one thing, they tend to work best when the grass is dry, which makes applying them tricky. Plus, if you end up applying too much fertilizer, it can burn the grass. Once you've watered the fertilizer down into the soil, it may take longer for the nutrients to reach the roots.
Water-soluble fertilizer
Water-soluble fertilizers are one of the most popular types of fertilizers used by gardeners. They work great on dry soils but aren’t recommended for use in areas where there has been recent rain. This is because the fertilizer won’t be able to penetrate the soil very well, and therefore won’t be as effective. If you decide to use water-soluble fertilizers, make sure you apply them just before rainfall, as this will ensure maximum absorption into the root system.
Natural fertilizer
Natural fertilizers are very popular because they release their nutrients slowly. This makes them ideal for use during periods of drought. You don't want to overdo it though. Too much nitrogen will make plants grow too fast and cause stunted growth. A good balance of N, P, K, and Mg is needed.
Lawn care services
If you are struggling to properly fertilize your lawn, seeking the help of a lawn care expertis recommended. At Vertdure , we know how important it is to keep your lawn healthy, so offer different lawn maintenance packages. They include services like pest management,weed control and soil aeration.
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