How do you achieve a beautiful lawn?
While this is a general outline (above) for feeding your lawn throughout every season, below is a detailed fertilizer schedule with specific reasons why feeding at the right time of year is integral to the health of your lawn:
FERTILIZER SCHEDULE
Early Spring: Spring is a perfect time to fertilize, as your lawn will need a pick-me-up from the cold winter months! During that period of dormancy, your grass and roots were deprived of key nutrients needed for healthy growth and color. A spring feeding will give your lawn a “wake-up-call”, by reviving the grass and strengthening roots to help it withstand potential stress from rising temperatures.
You should split your spring applications of fertilizer into two parts: once in early spring and again in late spring. Before you begin applying, note that you need to wait until soil temperatures have reached 45ºF, as this is a key indicator that cool-season grass has emerged from dormancy.
Put down an early spring application of Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer sometime between early March and April. This feeding will help in controlling existing weeds and preventing crabgrass and other grassy weeds from coming up during the growing season. If you apply this fertilizer, be aware that you can’t seed your lawn until fall.
Late Spring: Once you’ve applied your first application in early March or late April, wait 6-8 weeks before giving your lawn a second feeding to avoid over-fertilizing and burning your lawn. This second feeding will ensure your lawn is adequately prepared to withstand the hot, summer months.
During the later months of spring (May to June), it will be beneficial to give your lawn a second feeding in order to ensure your lawn has enough nutrients to maintain its green color throughout the summer. Spring is also the time of year that most people have problems with broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, taking over their lawn. Using Jonathan Green Weed & Feed Lawn Fertilizer will help to combat any existing weed issues, including broadleaf weeds, and promote a stronger root system to keep them under control. Apply only to a wet lawn using a spreader and when no rain is expected for 48 hours.
Summer: Summertime lawn care is all about maintaining the hard work you’ve done during the spring months and ensuring your grass can handle the heat. By following this feeding schedule, you won’t need an extra application of fertilizer in the summer, especially if you have cool-season grass. Focus instead on improving the health and quality of your soil during this season, as a balanced soil pH supports your lawn’s ability to absorb nutrients from fertilizer.
Use a spreader to apply soil food on a dry lawn after mowing to ensure it is absorbed into every part of your lawn. The warm, summer weather is also perfect for applying soil food, as the microbes in the soil are most active during this time.
Autumn: Fall is an ideal time to fertilize cool-season grasses. As the heat from summer may have caused significant stress to your lawn, you will need to repair any damage and prepare for the upcoming winter period of dormancy. Fertilizing during this time of year is important because it provides your lawn with a good dose of nutrition to promote healthy growth. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is high in potassium, as this key ingredient will aid in creating a stronger root system that will help your lawn absorb key nutrients and water for a greener lawn.
To prep your lawn for the cold and dreary winter months put down a liberal application in early August to late September. This will give your lawn a good feeding to help your soil withstand the cold winter months when the grass goes dormant.