Why Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?

Turfgrass requires nutrients throughout the growing season. Soil, sun, and water provide some, but fertilizer can supplement the balance of nutrients your lawn needs to be healthy, lush, and green. Read on to learn more about why it’s important to fertilize your lawn.

Nutrient Replacement

Nutrients can be lost during the removal of grass clippings, leaching, and ammonia volatilization. Fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; three nutrients that are vital to the health of your turfgrass.

Nutrients

Nitrogen: the nutrient responsible for your lawn’s green color. It also helps grass grow in thick and encourages denser shoots. But be advised: too much nitrogen can weaken grass, resulting in a vulnerability to leaching, disease, and pest infestations.
Phosphorus: the nutrient that stimulates growth and encourages the establishment of healthy roots.
Potassium: the nutrient that helps strengthen cell walls, which helps grass resist drought, disease, fungus, wear from foot traffic, and extreme weather conditions.

Fewer Patches and Mud Puddles

Because fertilizer strengthens your grass roots, they can quickly absorb more water than unhealthy roots. This firms your soil and lessens the chances of water pooling to form messy mud puddles–even after a light rainfall.

Weed Control

Healthy turfgrass can render your arsenal of weed killing products unnecessary. A thick, lush lawn with strong roots can choke out weeds by preventing them from taking a foothold in the first place.

Pest Control

Well-fertilized lawns can also encourage a healthy ecosystem of micro-organisms, earthworms, praying mantises, ladybugs, and other garden-dwellers that feast on pests and unwanted insects.

Remember:

Test your soil before choosing a fertilizer based on your soil type.
A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer prevents your grass roots from absorbing excess nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can be detrimental to your lawn’s health.
Liquid fertilizer is slightly more expensive than the granular version, but it encourages faster growth. Granular, on the other hand, has longer-lasting effects.

Let Us Help Fertilize Your Lawn

Call the experts at Green Lawn Fertilizing today at 855-469-0692. As the experts in PA, NJ & DE lawn care, we’ll perform a thorough inspection, give you a free lawn care quote, and tailor a fertilizing plan specific to your lawn’s needs.