Lawn Fertilizing Techniques For a Greener Lawn Articles | Garden Information Center

By: Jeremy Martinez

Are you seeking to be the envy of the neighborhood? Proper lawn fertilizing techniques go a long way. Fertilizing properly will not only make your lawn green, it will also make your neighbors green with envy!
The proper selection of fertilizer is essential. I've been through it all, I've burned my grass thinking that more is better, well, it's not. Strictly follow the instructions of the fertilizer you buy. Here are some tips that should give you a head start on your neighbors:

First select your fertilizer carefully. Fertilizers often contain metals and other chemicals that can be poisonous to humans. Therefore, you should avoid using fertilizers in your garden that might expose you to these harmful chemicals. When I am selecting my fertilizer I generally go for fertilizers that do not require I wear gloves for application.

Do not over fertilize with nitrogen - Traditionally, many people would prepare their lawn with high amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer in the spring. Unfortunately, this often leads to a significant amount of damage to the grass. If you are going to use nitrogen, be sure to wait until you have mowed at least a few times before you fertilize with nitrogen and wait until there will no longer be frost on the ground.

For best results, use a blended fertilizer - A high-quality fertilizer should contain a small amount of nitrogen that is non-water soluble, potash and phosphate. The key to a balanced formula is knowing how much of each of the ingredients your lawn really needs. There are also other minerals that are frequently added to fertilizers - some lawns require these and some do not. Depending on your soil type, geographic location and climate, the fertilizer that you choose needs to contain the right amount of each nutrient. Check with your local gardening center to learn more, you should take a sample of your grass if you are not sure what type of grass you have.

The time of year when when you fertilize matters, If you prefer to fertilize in the fall, don't use manure - Many people prefer to apply manure in the fall. However, in general this is a waste of time and fertilizer. Once you till the soil in the spring, you will be eliminating any positive effects from the application and will need to re-apply the manure once the ground has been prepared.
If you are going to use a fertilizer in the spring, then you are best to look for one that contains
nutrients that are released slowly over time, rather than all at once. You should also consider
fertilizing over time, so that you help your grass to grow slowly rather than all at once.