How to Fertilize Lawn in Spring

July 16, 2024

Spring is the perfect season to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to flourish. If you're wondering how to fertilize lawn in spring, you've come to the right place.

At Lawn Synergy, we have the answers you need. As lawn care experts, we know that a well-fertilized lawn in spring sets the stage for lush, green grass all year round.

In this article, we'll dive deeper into the essential steps for spring fertilization, including checking ground temperature, testing your soil, and choosing the right fertilizer.

So, if you're ready to transform your lawn into a vibrant, healthy oasis, continue reading.

How to Fertilize Your Lawn in Spring

Let's look at how to fertilize your lawn in spring. If you're looking for the perfect lawn fertilizer, we recommend our Guardian 13-0-10 Pre-emergent Lawn Fertilizer.

With pre-emergent, it is a high-quality, nutrient-rich fertilizer perfect for maintaining the health and beauty of your lawn while also preventing weeds.

This fertilizer contains a balanced ratio of nitrogen and potassium, with no phosphorus added, making it ideal for tall fescue lawns, centipede lawns, St. Augustine, and other turf grasses that require a high level of potassium.

Do not apply pre-emergent fertilizer if you plan on seeding in the spring. Pre-emergent will prevent grass seed from growing. Instead you can apply our Almighty 20-0-10 or Emerald 10-0-20 Lawn Fertilizer.

By using our Guardian 13-0-10 Pre-emergent Lawn Fertilizer, you ensure that your grass receives essential nutrients for robust growth and a deep green color throughout the season and is protected from weeds.

Check The Ground Temperature

Before you start, it's essential to check the ground temperature. Our findings show that the soil should be around 55°F. This is crucial because fertilizing too early can be ineffective and applying pre-emergent too late can miss the window to prevent weed germination.

Soil temperature directly affects the availability of nutrients and the ability of grass to absorb them. When the soil is too cold, grass roots remain dormant and cannot take up the fertilizer effectively.

Waiting until the soil reaches 55°F ensures that the grass is actively growing and can benefit from the nutrients. Using a soil thermometer can help you determine when the conditions are right.

We recommend checking your soil temperature by going to GreenCast Soil Temperature maps.

By monitoring the ground temperature, you can ensure your lawn gets the most out of your fertilization efforts, leading to healthier and greener grass.

Test Your Soil

Testing your soil helps you answer the question: “How to know what fertilizer to use on lawn?”. Based on our observations, using a soil test kit like ours will reveal your soil's pH and nutrient levels, allowing you to select the best fertilizer.

This process is essential because it provides an accurate assessment of your soil's current condition. By understanding the pH balance and the presence of key nutrients, you can tailor your fertilization strategy to meet the specific needs of your lawn.

This ensures that your grass receives the optimal nutrients for growth, resulting in a healthier and more vibrant lawn.

Regular soil testing helps you make informed decisions about fertilization and other lawn care practices, ultimately leading to better results.

Feed Your Lawn

Feeding your lawn is the next step. From our experience, a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works well.

Nitrogen promotes lush, green foliage, phosphorus supports strong root development, and potassium enhances overall plant health and disease resistance.

This combination supports strong root growth and vibrant grass. By using a balanced fertilizer, you ensure that your lawn receives the essential nutrients it needs to thrive.

Consistent feeding with this type of fertilizer can lead to a healthier, more resilient lawn that stays green and lush throughout the growing season.

Use A Lawn Spreader

To ensure even distribution, use a lawn spreader. Knowing how to spread lawn fertilizer effectively involves setting the spreader at the correct setting and walking at a consistent pace.

This helps avoid over-fertilizing or missing spots. Start by reading the instructions on your fertilizer bag to find the recommended spreader setting.

Adjust your spreader accordingly, and begin walking at a steady pace, ensuring uniform coverage. It's crucial to overlap slightly with each pass to cover the entire lawn evenly.

Additionally, speed up your walking pace a little if you notice clumping, or close the spreader setting if you see an excess of fertilizer.

Do Not Use Too Much Fertilizer

More isn't always better. Over-fertilizing can harm your lawn. As per our expertise, follow the recommended application rates on the fertilizer package to prevent burning your grass.

Applying too much fertilizer can lead to fertilizer burn, where excess salts draw moisture out of the grass, causing it to dry out and turn brown. Not only that, but excessive fertilizer leads to excessive growth and thatch buildup.

This can severely damage your lawn and even kill the grass. It's crucial to measure the fertilizer accurately and distribute it evenly to avoid over-application. With Lawn Synergy Fertilizers, typical application rate is between 4-5 lbs per 1,000 sqft.

Stick to the guidelines provided on the fertilizer packaging, and adjust your spreader settings accordingly.

Maintain Proper Spacing

Maintain proper spacing when spreading fertilizer. Overlapping slightly with each pass ensures complete coverage without excess fertilizer in any area. Make sure when making the second pass that the spread is reaching the tire mark from your first pass.

This technique helps to prevent striping and uneven growth in your lawn. By maintaining consistent spacing and overlapping, you can avoid both over-fertilizing certain sections and missing other areas entirely.

It's essential to follow a systematic pattern, whether you choose a back-and-forth or a crisscross approach, to achieve uniform distribution.

Always be moving before opening the chute. Fertilizer spills can cause burn.

Proper spacing and overlap ensure that your lawn receives the necessary nutrients evenly, promoting healthy and lush grass growth throughout your yard.

Conclusion

Fertilizing your lawn in spring is a vital step in achieving a healthy, green lawn. At Lawn Synergy, we believe in empowering DIY enthusiasts with the knowledge to care for their lawns.

Remember, knowing how to grow grass quickly in summer or how to grow Bermuda grass effectively starts with the right spring fertilization.

If you're curious about growing Bermuda grass or how to speed up your grass growth during summer, check out our articles on those topics.

Visit Lawn Synergy for more expert tips and products to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

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