NewsFor years, people have utilized soda and beer to make DIY lawn care concoctions. While both may be harmful to your health, they supply essential nutrients for grass growth. Though they are a good starting point for outstanding lawn fertilizer, you can do much better with a product designed particularly for your grass. We’ve created an easy-to-follow tutorial that will teach you all you need to know about feeding your grass.
Do I Need To Fertilize My Grass?
Grass can be very beautiful to look at and even comfortable to walk on, however, it can be harsh on the soil. Lawns tend to suck nutrients out of the soil much faster than they are naturally replaced. In some cases, the soil in an area won’t naturally generate one or more of the top nutrients grass needs to grow. This is one of the main reasons that you should always fertilize your lawn. Not only will you feed your grass the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but you will also help the soil to maintain a proper balance of nutrients and minerals. On average, fertilizing your lawn at least twice a year will keep your soil healthy while fertilizing one per season will help your grass to thrive.
The Best Way To Enrich Poorly Performing Soil
Any soil entrusted with producing a fast-growing plant will ultimately deplete its nutrients. We offer a few options if your soil is underperforming. Composting may organically enhance poor-performing soil. Once your garbage has been broken down into little pieces, evenly distribute it across your lawn. The nutrients in the compost will absorb into the soil, allowing it to perform better. You may also use natural manure to enhance your soil even more. Animal dung has a strong stench, but it is high in the nutrients that grass need to flourish. Not only is the manure beneficial to the soil, but it also makes it simpler for plants to digest for nutritional requirements. Of course, wood ash and grass fertilizer are also excellent choices for bringing your soil back up to par.
How Can I Make My Grass Greener and Thicker?
Everyone desires a lush, green lawn. Some grass grows thicker naturally than others, but no matter what kind you have, there is always space for improvement. Fertilizing your lawn on a regular basis is the greatest strategy to get greener, thicker grass. Proper fertilization will provide your grass with the nutrients it needs to grow. Keep a tight eye on your watering routine. Too little water may stifle development, but too much water can drown the roots. Your lawn should constantly have enough moisture but never get soggy. Consider overseeding if you are fertilizing on schedule and watering appropriately but your grass is still underperforming. Adding additional layer of grass seed to your current lawn will help it to organically grow thicker.
What Nutrients Does Grass Need To Grow?
There are three top nutrients grass needs to grow; potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Though all plants need these three key nutrients to thrive, grass requires higher concentrations for proper growth. Of all three, nitrogen is the most important as that is what gives grass its vivid color and tremendous growth. Let’s take a close look at these key nutrients, so you can better understand the role they play in the health of your lawn.
Nitrogen – this nutrient is the most important for grass. This is what gives grass its vibrant color and helps the blades to grow straight and strong. If there is not enough nitrogen, the grass will have stunted growth and will not have that deep green color most homeowners crave.
Potassium – this nutrient plays a big role in plant formation. It serves as an activator for other minerals and nutrients in the grass. Did you know that grass has more than 80 enzymes and without potassium, they won’t be activated and the grass won’t grow? It is also essential in water use efficiency and helps the grass to withstand pests and extreme temperatures.
Phosphorous – this nutrient is critical for grass health. It helps the roots of the grass to grow and supports the plant in times of environmental stress. If there is not enough phosphorous in the soil, it can limit growth and even make your lawn weak. It is important to fertilize properly because an excess of phosphorous can leak into the water supply through a buildup in the soil. Increasing microbial activity is a healthy and effective way to ensure your grass has plenty of phosphorous without causing harm to the surrounding environment.
Will Lawn Feed Make My Grass Grow?
Grass need 16 nutrients for good health. Lawn feed often includes sufficient quantities to aid in grass growth. Sulfur, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium are all abundant in commercial lawn feed. Using lawn feed can help your grass grow, but don’t use both lawn feed and fertilizer at the same time. This may over-enrich the soil, which may be detrimental to the health of your grass. In contrast to a regular schedule of balanced feeding, lawn feed is best beneficial when your grass just needs a tiny boost to help it flourish.
Weed and feed products are also an effective way to help your grass grow and banish weeds at the same time. The formula contains grass healthy nutrients in addition to pre-emergent herbicides. This type of lawn feed will kill existing weeds in your grass, prevent the growth of new weeds, and support healthy grass growth all at the same time. Always take the condition of your grass into account before using an all-in-one product. Lawns that don’t have weeds should never have a pre-emergent herbicide applied.
How Often Should I Feed My Lawn?
A healthy grass is one that is well-fed. You may fertilize once or twice a year depending on the condition of your soil and the sort of grass you have. While the basic minimum will keep your grass alive, feeding it on a regular basis will help it grow. When your soil and grass roots are healthy, they can tolerate severe temperatures, mowing, pet injuries, foot traffic, and even environmental stress. Feed your grass once a season, or every three months, for the greatest benefits.