Fertilizing
Printable
version in Microsoft Word
Printable
version in PDF
download
Acrobat Reader, click here!
Fertilizing
is required to meet today’s standards of turf
appearance. It is essential that soil nutrients are
maintained at proper levels. This process begins at
the initial stage of turf installation and continues
as a maintenance program throughout the life of the
turf.
Fertilizers
are literally plant food additives. Very few soils
are fertile enough to supply the nutrients which healthy
plants need, thus we fertilize.
Most
fertilizers contain varying amounts of the three essential
plant foods: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium
(K). On the label of fertilizer bags, the elements
are listed in the order given above. A bag of fertilizer
listed as10-15-20, for example would contain 10% Nitrogen
(N), 15% Phosphorous (P) and 20% Potassium (K).
Lawn
fertilizers vary in analysis and price. The price
of the fertilizer relates somewhat to the analysis
and the nutrient carriers used on the fertilizer.
Low cost fertilizers are usually water soluble thus
have a high potential to burn the grass, and provide
nutrients for a short period of time 1-2 weeks. More
expensive fertilizers are not water-soluble, have
low burn potential and provide nutrients for up to
8 weeks.
The
goal of any fertilization program is to provide the
lawn with the nutrients it needs for optimum growth.
The most accurate way to find out those needs is to
have the soil tested. Soil test services and information
are generally available through your Local County
Extension office. If a soil test is not conducted,
follow these general fertilization guidelines.
Fertilize
when the turf is growing!
Cool
season lawns such as Triple Crown Bluegrass and Frontier
Fescue will need to be fed in early fall, (September),
late fall (November) and spring (March). Three applications
are preferable but two would be a minimum.
Warm
Season lawns, Hybrid Bermudagrass will need to be
fed regularly beginning when lawns are 50% green (April-May
depending on your area) and at 30 day intervals until
August 15th. Three to four applications can be made
depending on the quality of turf you prefer to maintain.
Fertilize
with a balanced product!
Most
lawn experts agree that Fertilizers with a ratio of
3-2-1 of, (N) Nitrogen-(P) Phosphorous-(K) Potassium
are acceptable for use on any lawn. Examples of these
rates may be 16-8-8, or 15-10-5.
The
experts also agree that the fertilizer should have
at least one-half of its N (Nitrogen) in a slowly
soluble/slow release form, i.e.: natural organic,
sulfur-coated, or resin coated. Lawns fertilized with
one of these slow-release forms tend to have better
color, thickness, and reduced leaf growth.
Fertilize
on a schedule!
Meet
the nutrient requirements of your turfgrass on a regular
basis. A schedule of three times each year will assure
that your turf is healthy, can withstand stress and
compete with weeds and disease.
Fertilize
properly!
Apply
fertilizer with a spreader that is in good working
order. Do not fill spreader while it is on the lawn,
spilling will cause a burn. Begin applying the fertilizer
by making "header" strips around the border
of the lawn. Start at one edge and go back and forth
across the lawn evenly, turning off the spreader when
the header is reached. Do not turn the spreader while
fertilizer is dropping through to the grass.
Fertilize
according to your lawn!
Each
and every lawn is unique, according to the soil, environmental
conditions, turf variety and use. If your lawn experiences
heavy traffic or your soil is relatively sandy, has
poor drainage or low plant density, you may need to
fertilize at a lower rate, but more frequently.
Fertilize
on a supplemental basis to correct color or appearance!
Iron
- If you are providing a regular feeding for your
turfgrass (three balanced applications per year) and
do not have the color or leaf luster you desire, you
may be short of micronutrients, specifically iron.
In the southwest plains area we do experience iron
chlorosis and an application of an iron product can
assist in the color and health of your lawn. A chelated
iron generally in liquid form can be applied to any
variety of turfgrass any time of year. This product
is specifically recommended for cool season varieties
that need a boost in the summer. There are also granular
iron products readily available.
Gypsum
- As a rule our pH in the southwest Plains is a bit
high and can also tie up nutrients so that they are
not available to the plant. An annual application
of gypsum, generally in the fall, of 50 lbs. per 1000
square feet will help your lawn stay healthy by lowering
the pH, and making nutrients readily available.
Fertilizer Elements (N) (P) (K) have different effects
upon plant growth, they are:
