Fertilizers must be applied evenly and at the proper rate to prevent burning or leaving stripes on the lawn. Your Ashburton professional will be happy to help.
Question: What kind of fertilizer should I use on my lawn?
Answer: There are three major considerations in selecting a lawn fertilizer:
This indicates the percentage (by weight) of the three major nutrients in a fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The analysis is printed on the front of every fertilizer package. For example: 4-1-2.
4 - First number is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen makes grass plants grow and become greener.
1 - Second number is phosphorus (P). Phosphorus stimulates root and seedling development.
2 - Third number is potassium (K). Potassium promotes disease and drought tolerance.
The nitrogen release rate.
How fast the nitrogen is released determines how fast the grass will “green up,” how much it will grow, and how long the results will last. Lawn grasses require a steady, controlled feeding to produce a thick, green lawn. Controlled-release fertilizers deliver just enough quick-release nitrogen to produce a fast greening, while the balance is released gradually by microbial action in the soil over a period of approximately eight weeks. As a result, there is a constant supply of nitrogen for the grass plants.
Granule content.
Make sure the fertilizers you choose are made of an even mixture of granule particles, so your lawn will get the proper mixture of nutrients.
Do I need weed control?
Weeds compete with desirable lawn grasses for water, space, light and nutrients. They are very aggressive and can take over a lawn if not kept in check. It is when this type of imbalance occurs that many customers request help from Ashburton Professionals.
Before this happens, a preventive approach to controlling weeds is recommended. It includes regular fertilization, proper mowing and correct watering practices.
Weeds can also be controlled through digging or hand pulling. This method is much more labor intensive and is not always effective since many weeds can reproduce through vegetative parts if they are not entirely dug out.