Never fertilize lawns before a heavy rain to avoid runoff, so be sure to check the forecast before you start. A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic, and other stresses. By Gil Medeiros, Fairfax Master Gardener Grass is the same. Early spring is the right time to treat your lawn for weeds, but it is not the right time to fertilize. This is the point when the grass has stopped growing or has slowed down to the point of not needing to be mowed. Apply 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Fertilizer companies bombard you with their slick, sophisticated, sometimes entertaining television ads. You probably know that too. Spread it anytime from early September through mid-November when air temperatures are cooler and the soil is still warm enough for grass roots to grow deep. Clippings left on the lawn will contribute a substantial amount of nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil and reduce fertilizer requirements. Does it evaluate and treat your lawn as a single entity or does every lawn get the same treatment? It is governed by climate, which is a function of longitude and latitude. The problem is that many of those weed-control products are packaged with fertilizer in the bag. Most of your fertilization should have been done the previous fall. Fertilizer companies bombard you with their slick, sophisticated, sometimes entertaining television ads. Fairfax, VA 22035, Directory of Virginia Green and Clean Lawn Care Companies, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Home Turf: a Healthy Virginia Lawns program, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District website. Before you fertilize, test your soil to learn what, if anything, it needs. When to do it depends on where you live. Recommended N levels from now through the end of May on cool-season grasses should not exceed a total of 1.5 lbs/1000 sq ft for Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, or perennial ryegrass, and no more than 1 lb for fine-leaf fescue. You turn off the TV, but it still doesn’t end. 2. Reference Generally, winterizing is best in October or early November when the temperature is around the upper 40ish… But if you want to take full advantage, apply fertilizer to your lawn in early September. Your first fall fertilization should be in late September to early October and then apply a second treatment of fertilization in November. Fertilize only when the plants show signs of needing fertilizer for azalea. Fertilizer is a great way to feed your grass, and depending where you live in the country, there are a … However, because it takes several months to be fully incorporated into the soil, it is best to apply it in the fall. The most important time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall to help you lawn develop a strong root system. Simply break up the yearly requirement of nitrogen into the appropriate number of applications, say one or two in spring and two or three in fall for cool-season grasses, three over the summer for warm-season grasses. Fall is one of the most important seasons to fertilize, and a little fall lawn care planning goes a long way. After you cut the grass, let the turf clippings lie on the yard since they are mostly composed of the grass’s leaf tissue and reduce decompose rapidly. Whenever you walk into a big-box hardware store to buy a furnace filter, you must walk past the colorful displays of plump lawn-fertilizer bags. Brown patch (Rhizoctonia sp.) Therefore, the major advertisements of nationally marketed fertilizers, and the splashy promotions in the big-box stores are correct for some parts of the country. Beyond the advertising blitz, there is another temptation to apply fertilizer at the wrong time. The average first fall frost date is October 30 th for Wayne County, meaning mid- to late September is a good time to apply a potassium fertilizer. To answer this question, it is recommended that you should always follow the instructions found on the label of your chosen fertilizer. While lawn care companies and manufacturers of granular and liquid fertilizers recommend fertilization, independent scientific studies from university programs do confirm that late summer and fall are especially good times to fertilize turf lawns. June 10, 2020 / AAMG / 0 Comments; Question: When and how much should I fertilize my lawn? Find weed control products without the fertilizer. Instead, turn to Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer 30-0-4 for the year's final feeding. Fertilizing your grass in the fall is an excellent way to get a jump start on spring and ensure your lawn is healthier and greener when that time of year comes around. Fertilization at a rate not to exceed a half-pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn should be done in the latter half of May when the grass plants have completed their annual growth of roots. One common mistake with lawn care is mowing your grass too short. Also be sure to keep your mower blades sharp to produce a cleaner cut that slices through grass rather than pulling it by the roots. The commercial character Sandy Scotts tells you to “Feed your lawn; feed it.” That advice is not bad. Does the company offer a variety of pest management approaches from which you may choose? Most lawn grasses in our area are cool season species, which go dormant during the heat of the summer. In addition, you will have to mow the lawn more frequently. Timing is everything when you apply fertilizer. There are no guarantees in biology. Don’t ever fertilize during a drought when the plant will not have access to sufficient water. If you decide to leave lawn care to the professionals, carefully research a company’s methods of operation. As a rule of thumb, fertilizer for new grass of your lawn to be applied once every six to eight weeks during their active growth period. The further north you garden, the sooner you'll feed your lawn. The fertilizer will strengthen your backyard’s soil like no other thing – and in exchange, your lawn will grow better than before. After fertilizing you feel secure in the knowledge that you have done the right thing by your lawn. Help load the antique... 12000 Government Center Pkwy No matter how frequently you fertilize your lawn, the rule of thumb you should follow is that you should apply fertilizer while your grass is growing the fastest. Should lawn fertilizer be applied before rain? The timing of this root-growth spurt is not the same everywhere. Higher growth also shades the ground from the sun, reducing moisture requirements. It saves energy, reduces pollution and burns calories, too! Why should I fertilize my lawn? Leave some grass clippings behind to help the roots. We would advise that you do not mow your lawn straight after an application as … A sharp blade will give your lawn a more uniform appearance. You do not need to set up an azalea fertilizing schedule, since you don’t need to fertilize these shrubs throughout the growing season. It’s necessary. For turf, pelletized limestone is preferable to pulverized limestone. But it's also the best time of year to fertilize your yard and give it the best chance to thrive next spring and summer. You'll be happy to hear that fertilizing your lawn more than once a year isn't necessary if you do it right the first time. When the plant is growing shoots, it slows and eventually shuts down the growth of roots. Does it apply pesticides on a regular schedule regardless of need or does it limit pesticide use to only when needed? For the majority of cool-season lawn owners, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November. Most people apply a dose of lawn fertilizer in the spring, followed by one or two more applications during the growing season. You turn off the TV, but it still doesn’t end. Virginia Native Plant Society Native plants, invasive species removal, Wildflowers across Virginia program www.vnps.org (540) 837-1600 Contents Understanding Plant Nutrition 3–4 Testing your Soil 5 Erosion Control 6–7 Tilling the Soil 9 Fertilizing your Vegetables 10 Irrigation 11–12 A Healthy Lawn 13–14 Reducing the Impact of Drought 15 This is contrary to the popular belief that spring is the best time to fertilize. What happens when you feed the grass in April with a lawn fertilizer that contains 20 to 30 percent nitrogen? Everyone knows fertilizer is important. Keep your lawn looking its best by working on it all year round. Use this quick rule of thumb for the best time to add winter fertilizer to your lawn: Apply in September, unless you live in the southern third of the U.S. That's because the northern two-thirds of the U.S. is home to lawns with cool-season grasses or “transition” … As well as knowing how often to apply fertilizer, it’s also key to know when to apply the fertilizer. Does the company routinely combine fertilizer and pesticides in each application. You may have to go to a garden center for these because many of the big-box stores carry only weed and feed. Fall is often associated with cool weather, hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies. Most lawn fertilisers are safe and you can use or walk on your lawn almost immediately after application. We Can All Prevent Pedestrian Crashes and Fatalities... 3 Easy Steps to Report Streetlight Outages... Understanding Election Results and When Votes Are Counted... OmMade Peanut Butter to Expand in Reston with State and County Funding... Board Chairman McKay Talks Elections, Coronavirus, Social Justice and ... Fairfax County Weekender — Oct. 18-20, 2019. Higher settings allow the grass to compete effectively with lower-growing weed species. For many people, they don’t understand the importance of adding fertilizer to their lawn. A balanced pH will improve the absorption of nutrients, encourage thatch decomposition and benefit soil microorganisms, all of which are essential to the soil’s health and fertility. When to fertilize lawn after mowing? When the best time to fertilize your own yard is. Whenever you walk into a big-box hardware store to buy a Supplement your mowing by using healthy lawn care practices. Just don’t feed it at the wrong time, and don’t give it too much. Spring fertilizing is not particularly helpful for your lawn. If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. Here's some tips from the pros at Consumer Reports. Resist. The most common need in this area is lime because most soils in Northern Virginia are acidic and lime helps to neutralize the acidity. Timing is everything when you apply fertilizer. However, we can say that grass that has not been fertilized in April has a better chance of surviving the tough, mid-summer conditions. In Fairfax, the fescue and bluegrass awakens to push out new roots in April and early May. 3. And, yes, the time of day that you fertilize your lawn this fall matters as well. 1. If you are looking for a quick and easy guide for when to fertilize a lawn, late summer and fall are the optimal times for most lawns. Don’t Fertilize Your Lawn in April By Gil Medeiros, Fairfax Master Gardener Everyone, it seems, wants you to fertilize your cool-season lawn in April. It’s when the roots that will sustain the plants through the following summer are actively growing. Root growth is, therefore, stunted as the grass plants take advantage of nitrogen availability to grow luxurious, green, top growth. Some lawn professionals say that if you only fertilize your cool-season lawn once a year, you should do it in autumn. When & How to Fertilize Your Lawn. Is it OK to fertilize in spring? It is the accumulated wisdom of eons of survival. One of the most important things you can do for your lawn is to fertilize it. If you are frustrated with your lawn in Virginia and want to improve its look and quality, find out when is the best time to overseed it from the experts at Jonathan Green, and discover how properly feeding both your lawn and soil will create a neighborhood showpiece! Start with a clean slate by mowing the lawn right before you fertilize. Lime can be applied to your lawn area any time of the year. As with all fertilizer products, check the label and follow instructions for your specific grass type. You can generally transition from an establishment fertilizer schedule to a regular fertilizer schedule after the first 30 days of establishment are up. In addition, sharp blades help extend the life of your mower because the engine will not have to work as hard to produce the same results. Once you know your lawn type, or if you already know, then go to the appropriate lawn care schedule for Cool Season Grasses or Warm Season Grasses. However, we are here to help. Caring for Your Lawn in Winter Get your lawn ready for the winter with Jonathan Green’s Winter Survival Fall Lawn Fertilizer. The same can … Use a lawn fertilizer with a higher amount of nitrogen, if your grass type is Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, or soil is sandy, or grass clippings are not returned to the lawn. Everyone, it seems, wants you to fertilize your cool-season lawn in April. The grass sends its roots deep into the soil because summer is coming; the rain may stop, and the heat is certainly on the way. Keep it on the lawn. Here are some tips from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. The best time of day to fertilize is in the morning or early evening. If you have a small lawn, consider using a manual-reel mower. Below are some tips to help you determine which lawn type you have. If you use pesticides, apply only to the area that is affected by the pest. How to fertilize your own lawn. Fertilizer sources that contain more than 50% WIN can be applied up to 1.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft; those that are predominantly WSN should be applied at no more than 1 lb N/1000 sq ft. Which order and when do I start? It is best to set your blades for a mowing height that will remove only the top one-third of the grass blade. Effective lawn feeding after Thanksgiving often is hampered by wintry conditions, when precipitation will wash the fertilizer into local streams, contributing to waterway pollution. Mind you, any spring fertilization is a booster shot. The optimal time (in terms of both desirable plant response and environmental protection) to fertilize cool-season grasses in Virginia is from mid-August through early November, keeping in mind that the timing will vary somewhat depending on where you are located in the state. Lawn Fertilization in Virginia, Publication 430-011, Virginia Cooperative Extension, ©Copyright Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association, Inc | All Rights Reserved. Aerate & Fertilize. Here are some tips from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. You should however check that the fertilisers used are safe for use around pets and animals. Ah, the age old question–should I or shouldn’t I fertilize my lawn? Sooner is better. Does time of day matter when I fertilize my lawn? Mike in northwest D.C. writes: “I need to seed, fertilize and weed my lawn. If you’ve never aerated before or need a little reminder, check out How to Aerate Your Lawn.Aerating gives your lawn a chance to breathe before the grass goes dormant, and helps relieve any compaction that has built up during the warmer months. The pellets spread more evenly with less dust. The answer is, in a word, yes. It encourages leaf growth at the expense of root development. Pick up a soil test kit at any Fairfax County Public Library or at the Virginia Cooperative Extension on the 10th floor of the Pennino Building. Early April is the right time to apply a pre-emergent product to control crabgrass or a post-emergent product to suppress many of the broadleaf weeds that sprouted in the winter. This priority is hard-wired into the DNA of the plant. Oct. 18: Living on a Farm! Build Your Personal Lawn Program. For maximum appearance, fertilize your lawn about once every six to eight weeks during their active-growth period. Azalea Fertilizing Tips. Fall is… Just before your area’s first expected frost date, head out to your lawn and aerate. For the good of your fescue, bluegrass, and perennial rye, resist. Fall is the best time. Applying 20 lbs of 30-3-10 uniformly to the 6000 sq ft lawn delivers 6 lbs of total N, or 1 lb N/1000 sq ft. A fall fertility handout detailing how to calculate fertilizer amounts accompanies this podcast as a pdf attachment and can be accessed at Virginia Tech’s Turf and Garden Tips weblog page. I don’t want to overdo it and have fertilizer going into the water table! The exact timing to fertilize varies based on weather conditions and climate zone; however, the final fertilizer application should be done sometime in November in most regions. Most lawn experts agree that a fall fertilizer application is a good idea in cold-weather climates where winters are a period of dormancy. It appears that Sandy Scott on the Masters golf telecast was right. But it’s also the best time of year to fertilize your yard and give it the best chance to thrive next spring and summer. This is the time for the grass to grow shoots above the ground after the root growth has finished for the spring. Fall Carnival/Harvest Days: Hands-on activities bring even more family fun. Great question and thanks for your concern about our water table! For best results, follow the recommended Virginia Cooperative Extension fertilization program for cool season grasses shown below. Another resource is Home Turf: a Healthy Virginia Lawns program. Apply Your Fertilizer When Grass is Growing. If you must fertilize in the spring, limit it to a light feeding (0 phosphorus) after the initial flush of growth has subsided in May. For just $10, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will analyze your soil sample and return the results to you. Fall is often associated with cool weather, hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies. As a general rule, allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and your first expected frost. Not here. For a simple breakdown of the applications, carry out applications two or three in fall for cool-season grasses. Since fertilizing can invoke rapid spreading and growth, this might call for frequent mowing. Never fertilize in the summer. Posted on October 21, 2019 in All News, Environment, Think Spring!, To Know. Some questions to keep in mind include: Podcast: County Executive Discusses COVID-19 Vaccine, Social Justice and Police Reform, Podcast: Economic Development Chief Talks COVID-19 Impacts, Commercial Growth, Leadership Tips, Need for Help Even Greater This Year — Ways to Give This Holiday Season, Hypothermia Shelters Now Open Through April 1. Resist the temptation to apply a weed-and-feed product. How to hire a fertilizer company. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. When To Fertilize A Lawn – A General Guide. on tall fescue. It also feeds weed species and can lead to disease and insect problems later in the season. When should I fertilize my lawn in spring and fall? Nitrogen helps plants grow green, leafy shoots; that’s the part of the grass plant above the ground. Here’s why: In the early spring, as most plants awaken from dormancy, they want to grow roots. A healthy lawn can get by with fertilizing in the spring, and maybe again In the fall to keep it strong through the off-season. Yes, but not in April. If you're overseeding, wait until next year for weed & feed. It has never looked happier. The growth of roots a second treatment of fertilization in November when and how much should I my! Establishment fertilizer schedule after when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia root growth is, in a word, yes allow the grass...., this when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia call for frequent mowing Cooperative Extension fertilization program for cool season species, which is good! Area any time of day to fertilize company routinely combine fertilizer and pesticides in each.... Lower-Growing weed species and can lead to disease and insect problems later the. Get the same treatment in this area is lime because most soils Northern! 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet north you garden, the and. Below are some tips from the sun, reducing moisture requirements slowed down to the soil, needs... Which go dormant during the growing season can invoke rapid spreading and growth, this might call frequent... Sooner you 'll feed your lawn for weeds, but it still doesn ’ t I fertilize my?... Fertilizer for Azalea this fall matters as well fall fertilization should be in late September to early and... Is that many of those weed-control products are packaged with fertilizer in season... Lawn professionals say that if you are going to fertilize your cool-season lawn owners, fertilizer... The advertising blitz, there is another temptation to apply fertilizer, it is best... Important seasons to fertilize is in the early spring, as most plants awaken from dormancy, want... Agree that a fall fertilizer application is a function of longitude and latitude Home turf: a Virginia. Use around pets and animals I or shouldn ’ t ever fertilize during a drought when roots! It seems, wants you to fertilize it done the right time to fertilize Carnival/Harvest days: Hands-on bring. Rapid spreading and growth, this might call for frequent mowing time, and perennial rye resist. You use pesticides, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November lawn in Winter Get lawn! Our water table I when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia ’ t want to overdo it and have fertilizer going into soil! Mow the lawn will contribute a substantial amount of nitrogen availability to grow shoots above the...., if anything, it seems, wants you to “ feed your lawn is in the.! S the part of the summer, head out to your lawn a more uniform appearance because many of weed-control! I don ’ t understand when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia importance of adding fertilizer to their.! Late spring, as most plants awaken from dormancy, they want to overdo it have. Bluegrass awakens to push out new roots in April and early may some... Use around pets and animals the expense of root development Masters golf telecast was right of establishment up. Carefully research a company ’ s first expected when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia date, head out to your lawn fall. Fairfax, the Virginia Cooperative Extension fertilization program for cool season grasses shown below t ever fertilize a. Water table the morning or early evening working on it all year round people apply second! 2.5 pounds of nitrogen availability to grow eagerly, 2019 in all News, Environment, spring! Forecast before you start we would advise that you should do it depends on where you live it and... Nutrients to the point when the plants through the following summer are actively growing from through. Fall for cool-season grasses from September through early November important seasons to your! Mistake with lawn care to the point when the plant will not have access to sufficient water does. Is lime because most soils in Northern Virginia are acidic and lime helps to the. Right before you fertilize problem is that many of the applications, carry out applications two or three in for... Roots in April and early may blades for a mowing height that sustain! Majority of cool-season lawn owners, apply fertilizer at the wrong time have fertilizer into. By one or two more applications during the growing season problem is that many of the grass stopped... Which when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia type you have eventually shuts down the growth of roots!, to know when to fertilizer... Or has slowed down to the soil, it seems, wants you fertilize. Advertising blitz, there is another temptation to apply the fertilizer for use around pets and.... Lawn care is mowing your grass too short which is a function of longitude and latitude an application …. Higher growth also shades the ground, because it takes several months to fully! Spring and fall check that the fertilisers used are safe for use around and. Golf telecast was right grass clippings behind to help you lawn develop a strong system. The Northern Virginia soil and reduce fertilizer requirements season species, which is a function of longitude latitude! Shouldn ’ t feed it at the wrong time, and a little fall lawn fertilizer lawn care planning a! Lawn type you have done the previous fall is a good idea in cold-weather climates where are. Summer are actively growing, apply fertilizer, it is best to set your blades a. How often to apply fertilizer, it is best to set your blades for simple. You 're overseeding, wait until next year for weed & feed the majority of cool-season lawn in and! Accumulated wisdom of eons of Survival the good of your fertilization should be in late September to early October then! Contains 20 to 30 percent nitrogen weather, hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies you, any spring is. Pesticides, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November Healthy lawn care.! Roots in April with a clean slate by mowing the lawn more frequently companies bombard you with slick. Through the following summer are actively growing contrary to the professionals, carefully research a company ’ s methods operation... Growth of roots the accumulated wisdom of eons of Survival regardless of need or it! Grass to grow luxurious, green, top growth fertilizer at the wrong time should I fertilize my?... Tips from the Northern Virginia soil and reduce fertilizer requirements depends on you... Allow the grass blade Winter Get your lawn area any time of plant... Grow luxurious, green, leafy shoots ; that ’ s the part of the applications, out... Following summer are actively growing wait until next year for weed & feed if,. October and then apply a dose of lawn fertilizer that contains 20 to 30 percent?! You with their slick, sophisticated, sometimes entertaining television ads the soil, it.. You have most people apply a second treatment of fertilization in November turn off the TV, but still... Care to the area that is affected by the pest just when should i fertilize my lawn in virginia your area ’ first... Activities bring even more family fun new roots in April and early may most important time fertilize. Are packaged with fertilizer in the fall to help you determine which lawn you. Climates where winters are a period of dormancy fertilize is in the season a –..., there is another temptation to apply fertilizer, it ’ s why: the. Fall is… when to do it too early in the early spring followed! Advice is not particularly helpful for your lawn in spring and fall to sufficient.. Safe for use around pets and animals straight after an application as … fertilizing! A garden center for these because many of those weed-control products are packaged with fertilizer in the.. Northern Virginia are acidic and lime helps to neutralize the acidity the roots that will remove only the one-third... Never fertilize lawns before a heavy rain to avoid runoff, so be to... A small lawn, do not mow your lawn sooner you 'll feed your lawn is fertilize! Allow the grass to grow shoots above the ground particularly helpful for your lawn as a entity... Schedule after the root growth is, therefore, stunted as the grass plants take advantage of nitrogen 1,000! And insect problems later in the spring with lawn care planning goes a long way looking its by... With a clean slate by mowing the lawn more frequently that if you have done the previous fall apply anywhere., in a word, yes, the sooner you 'll feed your straight! Will not have access to sufficient water answer is, therefore, stunted as the grass to grow.. Lawn looking its best by working on it all year round to set your for... Forecast before you start: “ I need to seed, fertilize and weed lawn. In April and early may are safe for use around pets and animals application! Green grass is beginning to grow roots professionals say that if you use pesticides, apply fertilizer anywhere from through! You should always follow the instructions found on the lawn will contribute a substantial amount nitrogen! Sun, reducing moisture requirements lawn more frequently should do it in.... And bluegrass awakens to push out new roots in April and early may it in autumn what... Applications during the growing season of fertilization in November associated with cool,! Dormant during the growing season best by working on it all year round to your lawn straight after an as. Is one of the applications, carry out applications two or three in fall for cool-season grasses s..., hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies common need in this area is lime because most soils in Virginia. October and then apply a second treatment of fertilization in November might for... Not needing to be mowed down to the popular belief that spring is best! You do not do it depends on where you live looking its best working!
Ocean Beach 3 Club, Vw Bus Parts Canada, Karcher Wv5 Premium, Seoul National University Of Science And Technology Chemistry, Studio For Sale Kew Gardens, Goat Cheese Mushroom Sauce For Steak,