3 Things You Need To Know About Fertilizing Your Central Florida Lawn

Can A Lawn Fertilizer Schedule Help Your Lawn?

Creating a lush, emerald green lawn with healthy grass blades requires more than mowing, weeding, and overseeding. If you really want to be the talk of the neighborhood then you need to set a fertilizer schedule to keep your lawn looking its best.

Grassturf in Central Florida grows between March and November in Central Florida so Central Florida homeowners need to know when to fertilize their lawn to keep their grass healthy all year.

Not only is timing vital throughout the year, you also need to consider Central Florida weather patterns, climate change, and other factors when choosing the best time and type of lawn fertilizer for your home.

Fertilizer application can make or break the beauty and health of your lawn. Homeowners must maintain a fertilization schedule that will support a healthy, lush lawn.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 things to consider when fertilizing your lawn this year!

1. Timing Is Everything With A Lawn Fertilizer Schedule

As mentioned before, grass in Central Florida tends to grow between March and November. You will want to fertilize only when the grass on your lawn is actively growing.

Fertilizer is a key part of any lawn care strategy because it provides newly germinated grass or grass seeds with much-needed nutrients. Introducing fertilizer at the right times will put your lawn into “beast mode” and prevent weed issues throughout the growing season.

Let’s take a look at the best times to execute your lawn fertilization schedule:

2. Choosing The Correct Lawn Fertilizer Is Crucial

Plants have varying nutrient needs and the grass blades that makeup lawns are no exception. In order to choose the best lawn food, you will need to figure out which variety, or varieties, of grass is present.

Warm-season grasses, like Centipede, Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are very common in the central Florida area. However, Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and perennial ryegrass could still be present.

Once you know the type of grass you are working with, you will want to conduct a soil test. Typically, Florida soils are high in phosphorus, which is one of three major nutrients found in fertilizers. If your soil test shows good levels of phosphorus, you will need a fertilizer blend that does not include it.

Your soil test will also tell you about your soil’s pH (acidity or alkalinity) levels and other nutrient levels, such as nitrogen and potassium. Use this information to choose the fertilizer that will offer what your soil test determines your lawn needs.

Take a look at these tips for choosing the best fertilizer for your lawn.

• Conduct a soil test first to see what nutrients your lawn needs.
• Measure your yard to determine the square feet.
• Choose slow-release fertilizers to reduce the risk of over-fertilization.
• Check the label for pounds of nitrogen
• Always follow fertilizer directions- more is not more!

3. How You Fertilize Your Lawn Matters More Than You Think

The next item on your fertilization schedule is the application method. Once you identify the fertilizer schedule that is right for your lawn, you will want to decide the best method to spread the fertilizer.

The best method of applying fertilizer to your lawn will depend on your unique fertilization schedule and lawn care maintenance routine. There are two ways fertilizer can be applied to your lawn:

Option 1: The Drop Spreader

 Drop spreaders, a common gardening tool that is used to evenly spread grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer, are the most popular way to spread fertilizer on lawns. Spreading granular fertilizer allows for more time between applications- usually 6 to 8 weeks.

While this ensures fertilizer is spread evenly on your lawn, it is also the most time-consuming. You will also need to make sure fertilizer doesn’t end up on hard surfaces to prevent runoff and clean your spreader after every application to prevent cross-contamination.

Option 2: Water-in Fertilizers

Water-in fertilizers are extremely efficient and less time-consuming. This application method allows nutrients to go directly to the root system of your grass. They promote root growth, which yields a healthy lawn.

Water-in fertilizers need to be applied more often. You will need to conduct some calculations to determine how long to run the sprinkler system before adding the fertilizer and running your watering system. Also, you will need to make sure your system does not overwater and invite unwanted mosquitos to live and breed on your lawn.

Homeowner Beware: Avoid Over Fertilizing Your Lawn

Whichever option you choose, be sure to follow the directions that come with your fertilizer. Over-fertilizing your lawn can have devastating consequences, like:

• Fertilizer Burn: A drying effect that creates unsightly brown and yellow patches, fertilizer burn can wreak havoc on your precious lawn and could lead to permanent damage.
• Dangerous Runoff: Extra fertilizer enters local waterways and impacts the local environment. Runoff can also contribute to aquatic “dead zones” in coastal areas or places near bodies of water. This is a huge concern in environmentally conscious Florida.

Creating a successful fertilization schedule that keeps your lawn green throughout the growing season is challenging and time-consuming.

Many homeowners find themselves strapped for time when planning their lawn fertilization and maintenance. They also fear damaging their lawns permanently by applying too much or too little fertilizer.

Trust  Professionals To Create And Carry Out Your Lawn Fertilization

From soil test to seeding to the first and last mow of the season, LawnWorx can take lawn care and maintenance off your to-do list.

The experts at LawnWorxs have many years of experience tending to the unique needs of Central Florida lawns. LawnWorx offers a variety of lawn care services, including lawn fertilization, weed control, and tree and shrub care.

LawnWorx also handles pest and mosquito control, which is a necessity in Central Florida if you want to enjoy your outdoor space pest-free.

Contact LawnWorx today for all of your lawn care needs!

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