What You Need to Know About Fertilizing Your Lawn

Building and maintaining a magnificent lawn is no easy task. It all starts with proper fertilizing. Proper lawn fertilization can mean the difference between vibrant blades of Kentucky Bluegrass and a patch of weeds. Fertilizing your lawn helps provide more nutrients to the grass while maintaining a thick, lush lawn over time. It has the side bonus of preventing weeds from taking root. Overall, fertilizing your property is the first step in creating the verdant green lawn of your dreams. 

Here are a few things you need to know about fertilizing your lawn: 

Decide what type of grass to grow.

Fertilizing your lawn begins with choosing the type of grass you plan to grow. Among the grass most commonly used are fescues, ryegrass, bentgrass, bluegrass, buffalo, Bermuda, Bahia, and Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass and creeping bentgrass are excellent lawn choices due to their bright greens and decent growth. They are not without their flaws, though. The former requires fertilization and doesn't do well with other types of cracks. The latter requires careful attention. It's always best to do extensive research on the kind of grass you want before selecting. 

Choose the right kind of fertilizer. 

Once you've selected the type of grass you're going to seed; the next step is to choose the best fertilizer for your needs. There are three key factors to consider when selecting a fertilizer: 

1. The NPK ratio. This ratio covers the amount of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen in any given fertilizer. 

2. Fertilizer type. Fertilizer types are categorized as synthetic or organic. Synthetic fertilizers are usually composed of minerals, while organic fertilizers are made up of organic material. 

3. Choose a formula. Fertilizers are coming into different procedures: a granular formula and a liquid formula. Granular is slow-acting, while liquid typically offers quicker results. 

After you've chosen the proper fertilizer to suit your needs, it's merely a matter of actually fertilizing your lawn.

Hire a Lawn Fertilizing Service

The best bet for getting the ball rolling on fertilizing your lawn is hiring out the work. Fertilizing is a heavily nuanced activity that isn't easy to do on your own. Fertilizing is difficult and often challenging work. Wouldn't you rather spend your time doing hobbies or hanging out with your family? Reputable lawn fertilization companies are a great way to get your lawn fertilized while affording more leisure time for yourself. Some companies even use nutrient-rich fertilizers alongside a customized fertilization plan exclusive to your yard and its needs.  

Understand Your Soil 

The key to proper fertilization is to understand your soil. Unhealthy soil contributes to all sorts of problems with grass. To that end, the best possible soil is composed of sand, clay, and silt (this combination is known as loam). There are some steps you can take to prepare your soil for proper fertilization. Knowing your soil's pH (the measure of alkalinity) is key to understanding how plants will grow. Grasses used in lawns will comfortably grow any pH between 6.5 and 6.8. It's also important to know where shady areas might occur or look for spots where water might form puddles. By examining your soil ahead of time, you can consider any potential issues that will affect the growth of your new lawn. 

Determine a Maintenance Schedule

Once your lawn is seeded and fertilized, it's time to let it grow and figure out how to keep it in phenomenal shape. Luckily, a professional lawn service will help determine an adequate maintenance schedule to keep your lawn in good condition. A good fertilization plan and maintenance schedule will ensure the right nutrients get to the right spots and let your grass flourish. A robust combination of slow-release nutrients and enhanced fertilization procedures can further define and curate the lush, green lawn you've always desired.