The use of fertilizer can greatly help your lawn look lush and healthy. However, most homeowners do not know how to properly use fertilizer. If you do not or cannot take the time to learn how to properly use fertilizer in Brick NJ, please contact a lawn care company to do it for you. Here are some common mistakes homeowners make when using lawn fertilizer.
Not Knowing Your Soil’s Chemical Composition
You should get your soil analyzed to see what nutrients are has and what it lacks. This is especially important for nitrogen. Lawns love nitrogen, but too much nitrogen will cause lawn burns and make grass more susceptible to disease and insect pests. Soil testing kits are available at local gardening and hardware shops, but these are not very accurate. If you live near a university, their soil tests are more accurate. Soil tests by lawn care and landscaping companies are also more accurate than over the counter kits.
Over Fertilizing
More is not better when it comes to fertilizer. Too much fertilizer winds up damaging the lawn because the grass roots are drowning in fertilizer chemicals. Too much nitrogen, especially, can burn the lawn more than dog urine. Grass that is given too much fertilizer or given fertilizer too often become diseased and may die off. Signs of an over fertilized lawn include bare patches or strips of bare ground in the lawn.
Fertilizing at the Wrong Time
Lawns need fertilizer only at certain times of the year. This time is different depending on what area of the country you live in. For New Jersey residents and folks living in the Northern Atlantic states, only fertilize in the spring when you see the first green shoots pop out of the ground. Gradually scale back applications in the summer. New Jersey lawns can benefit from an application right after the first frost of autumn.
Over Watering
Too much water soaks into the ground and washes away fertilizer, thereby removing the fertilizer before the grass can properly “digest” it. Over watering not only wastes the fertilizer, but also wastes your money.
