{"id":1131,"date":"2023-02-11T16:47:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T16:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midwestturfpros.com\/?p=1131"},"modified":"2023-02-11T16:52:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-11T16:52:32","slug":"how-to-fertilize-your-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midwestturfpros.com\/how-to-fertilize-your-lawn\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fertilize Your Lawn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ready to learn how to fertilize your lawn? Fertilizing your lawn is a key aspect of maintaining a healthy and green lawn. Especially in the transition zone which includes parts of the US from North Carolina to Missouri. As a homeowner in this area, it’s essential to understand the different types of fertilizers, the best time to apply them, and how to avoid common mistakes that could harm your lawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, you have two options: liquid and granular. Liquid fertilizers are more easily absorbed into the soil, providing quicker results. They also make it easier to spot-treat specific areas of your lawn that may need extra nutrients. Some liquid fertilizers you’ll mix with water yourself. Others come in bottles with convenient attachments that allow you to hook them to a water hose and spray the lawn. On the other hand, granular fertilizers offer a slower release of nutrients over time, reducing the need for frequent reapplication. Granular products need to be spread with a lawn spreader, but these tend to more evenly distribute nutrients than hose-end attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hose-end<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Granular<\/figure>\n
Hose-End Liquid Applicator (Left) Granular Fertilizer (Right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Apply Fertilizers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best time to apply fertilizer to your fescue lawn is during the growing season, typically in early spring or early fall. During this time, the grass is actively growing and will utilize the nutrients much more than in the Sumer or Winter. Avoid applying fertilizer during extreme weather conditions, such as during periods of drought or extreme heat, as this can put added stress on your lawn. Fescue already starts to get heat stress at 80 degrees and above. Adding too much nitrogen in that kind of weather can decimate a lawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Need a Soil Test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before applying any fertilizer to your lawn, it’s crucial to perform a soil test to determine the existing levels of nutrients in your soil. A soil test will also determine if your soil is too acidic or alkaline, which could limit the effectiveness of the fertilizer. For fescue, we want PH at about 6.8. Lime will raise the PH while sulfur will lower it. By knowing the nutrient levels in your soil, you can avoid over-applying fertilizer and wasting money, as well as prevent potential harm to your lawn. You can get soil tests from your college extension office, a local landscaper, or from Site One<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Mistakes When Applying Fertilizer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common mistakes homeowners make when fertilizing their lawns are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n