Feeding your lawn isn’t just about dumping fertilizer and hoping for the best. With the right fertilization techniques, you can promote deep green color, fight off weeds, and grow thicker, stronger grass that thrives year-round.
Whether you’re managing a small backyard or a large estate, understanding how and when to fertilize can make all the difference. Here’s what you need to know.
🧪 1. Start with a Soil Test
Before you apply any fertilizer, it’s essential to test your soil. Why?
- Soil testing reveals nutrient levels (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)
- Shows your soil’s pH, which affects nutrient availability
- Helps avoid over-fertilizing, which wastes money and harms the environment
💡 We recommend testing your soil at least once every 1–2 years.
🌾 2. Know Your Fertilizer Types
There are two main categories of lawn fertilizers:
✅ Granular Fertilizers
- Come in slow-release or quick-release options
- Ideal for scheduled feedings
- Easy to store and apply
✅ Liquid Fertilizers
- Absorbed quickly through roots and leaves
- Great for rapid green-up or spot treatments
- Often used in professional foliar spray applications
Choosing the right one depends on your lawn goals, timing, and soil needs.
📆 3. Follow a Seasonal Fertilization Schedule
Different seasons require different nutrients. Here’s a basic guideline for cool-season grasses:
| Season | Fertilizer Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Balanced or high-nitrogen | Boost growth after winter |
| Summer | Slow-release, low-nitrogen | Maintain health during stress |
| Fall | High-potassium, balanced | Strengthen roots before winter |
Timing is key: applying the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time can burn your lawn or stunt growth.
🧰 4. Use the Right Equipment
- Use a broadcast or drop spreader for granular fertilizer.
- Use a backpack or hose-end sprayer for liquid applications.
- Calibrate your spreader so you’re not overapplying.
- Always water in granular fertilizer unless it’s coated with a moisture-activated shell.
🚫 5. Avoid These Common Fertilizing Mistakes
- Over-fertilizing: causes lawn burn, runoff, and weed growth
- Under-fertilizing: leads to thin, pale grass that invites weeds
- Skipping calibration: leads to patchy, uneven feeding
- Ignoring weather: avoid fertilizing before heavy rain
🌱 6. Go Organic or Synthetic—Or Blend Both
Organic fertilizers (like composted manure or seaweed) feed the soil as well as the grass. They work slower, but improve soil structure and microbial life. Synthetic fertilizers deliver fast results and are easier to control.
Many modern programs blend both for best results: quick green-up with long-term soil improvement.
🔄 7. Consistency Is Key
A one-time feeding won’t fix a struggling lawn. Great lawns are built with consistent care over time:
- Stick to a 4–6 application program per year
- Adjust based on your lawn’s response
- Combine fertilization with proper mowing, watering, and aeration
✅ Let the Pros Handle It
Fertilizing sounds easy—but the real art is in doing it right, based on your specific grass type, soil condition, and property layout.
At Total Turf Management, we offer professional fertilization plans that are:
- Customized to your soil and turf type
- Seasonally adjusted for maximum results
- Applied using precision equipment and trained technicians
👉 Contact us today for a free soil evaluation and custom lawn nutrition plan.