Fall is the perfect time to fertilize your lawn. The cooler weather helps the nutrients break down and get more easily absorbed into the soil, so it’s a great time to give your lawn the nutrients it needs.
If you have a high-quality fertilizer, you can use it on your lawn in the fall without any problems. If you’re using a low-quality fertilizer or aren’t sure what kind of fertilizer you have, be sure to speak with a professional about how best to use it at this time of year.
You should apply a balanced fertilizer in the fall, as this will help keep your lawn healthy for next spring. You should apply about 2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft of lawn—less if you have sandy soil or more if you have clay soil.
Among all the fertilizers that you can use to feed your lawn, fall is the best time to use a granular fertilizer. Winterizer and slow-release granular fertilizers are great for fall lawn care because they break down the fallen leaves and provide nutrients for the grass. Luckily, there are many different types of fertilizers on the market, and finding the right one for your lawn can be tricky.
Dolomitic lime
Dolomitic lime is an excellent option for autumn lawn care. This natural soil conditioner helps eliminate unwanted soil acids and restores a balanced magnesium and lime balance. The resulting fertilizer also promotes water and air circulation, revitalizing and activating your lawn. Dolomitic lime can be applied as a fertilizer or a soil conditioner. The key to properly using this product is to perform a soil test to ensure it is right for your lawn.
To ensure your lime application is effective, conduct a soil test at the start of the year. Lime application is best timed when the soil is most relaxed. Fall aeration is one of the three steps in the lawn care process. It is recommended to water seeded lawns several times a day to speed up the lime breakdown and uniform entry into the soil system. In addition, dolomitic lime is the only type of fertilizer able to reduce the pH levels of soil.
It is best applied in late autumn or spring. Dolomitic lime also fights against the growth of moss. It is available in sacks of ten kilograms or 25 kilograms. Typically, 10 kilograms of dolomitic lime should be applied per 100 square meters of lawn area. On the other hand, light-colored soils should only use eight kilograms of lime. Medium-heavy-dense soils can tolerate 13 to 18 kg of lime per 100 square meters.
While lime and fertilizer can be applied at the same time, it is better to spread them separately. This way, they will not react to each other. Lime is beneficial for the soil, but should not be applied if the pH of the soil is too acidic. If the pH level is too acidic, lime will reduce its ability to take in fertilizer. If you want to apply lime during the rainy season, test your soil’s pH level.
Early spring lawn fertilizer
The best time to apply early spring lawn fertilizer is between February and April, around the time that the grass begins actively growing and greening up. A general rule of thumb is to fertilize the lawn once every three mowings. Feeding the grass in the spring will increase the grass’ nutrient reserves, preparing it for the heat and drought of summer. To make sure the fertilizer is effective, follow the label instructions carefully.
When applying lawn fertilizer, make sure you use a product with three numbers. The first number refers to the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer, while the second number indicates the levels of phosphorus and potassium in the product. For best results, use a fertilizer that is made for the season and not a general mix. A slow-release formula will break down the nutrients over a longer period of time, meaning that you can fertilize your lawn more often without having to wait until fall.
A good early spring lawn fertilizer can be applied after aerating your lawn and making sure you aerate the soil first. Fertilizer that contains high amounts of nitrogen will benefit the grass in the long run. You should avoid applying fertilizer in the fall because your grass will be deprived of water and nutrients. The best time to apply fertilizer is in early spring, when the roots are still establishing their root systems.
Applying fertilizer during the autumn season helps cool-season grasses recover from the stress of the summer and build carbohydrate reserves in the stems and rhizomes. This will help them battle the winter’s damage and will give them the energy they need to grow in the spring. Fall lawn fertilization is better than the early spring lawn fertilizer because it helps the grass recover from summer and maintain its green luster.
Winterizer
Fall lawn care includes applying winterizer fertilizer at the appropriate time. Winterizer fertilizer is a high-nitrogen formula that promotes root growth and stores nitrogen until the ground freezes. This fertilizer makes those nutrients available for your lawn in spring. The winterizer also contains more potassium than regular fertilizer, which enhances grass’s tolerance for cold and strengthens its root system. For the most effective fall lawn care, winterizer fertilizer should be applied four to five weeks after the fall lawn fertilizer.
Winterizer is best applied when the grass stops growing. The grass is still green on top but is still active below the surface. The winterizer should be applied when your mower is put away for the year. Make sure to read the label carefully to see what it contains. You can also ask your local lawn care professional for advice on the best winterizer fertilizer for your particular lawn type. Here’s a quick guide:
The timing of your fall fertilization is vital. You should fertilize your lawn by late September or early November. If possible, use a 13-25-12 formula. The phosphorus will help root growth through November and early December. This will improve your lawn’s ability to recover from winter and withstand disease and draught. And it will help it green up faster in spring. So, don’t hesitate to give your lawn some help by following these tips.
The timing of applying winterizer varies depending on where you live. The farther north you live, the earlier you should apply it. The goal is to have a full month of active growing weather before winter begins. Applying winterizer too late could result in winter kill or snow mold problems in the spring. And remember, the earlier you apply winter fertilizer, the better, because the sooner you apply it, the more time you’ll have for regrowth.
Slow-release granular fertilizer
Applying a granular, slow-release fertilizer to your lawn in fall is the best way to give it ongoing protection. Because it slowly releases nutrients over time, your lawn will continue to benefit from the nutrients, reducing the number of treatments you need to make. In addition, granular fertilizer is easier to apply than a liquid fertilizer, which can be messy to apply. However, if you’re going to use a granular fertilizer to protect your lawn this fall, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
Applying slow-release granular fertilizers is more expensive per pound, but you can stretch out the application throughout the summer. This type of fertilizer is also more beneficial for homes that use irrigation systems because the water can leach the nutrients out of the soil. Before applying fertilizers, make sure you test your soil to see if you need a specific type of fertilizer. In general, you’ll need to apply a slow-release fertilizer about every two to three years.
When choosing a fertilizer, make sure it’s a slow-release granular formula. Fall fertilizer will contain nitrogen and potassium, which will keep your lawn green and healthy. Try to avoid too much nitrogen as your grass will grow too quickly and require more mowing. And don’t forget about micronutrients. They can help your grass produce chlorophyll, help with DNA synthesis, and resist diseases.
Use slow-release granular fertilizer for autumn lawn care. Don’t fertilize your lawn if it is too dry. Because fertilizer runs off in the rain, you should wait until the soil is dry. You may need to reapply fertilizer if it gets too dry. To be safe, apply the fertilizer to your lawn using a spreader. Otherwise, call a professional to do the job for you.
Pre-emergent herbicide
One of the most important things to remember when applying a pre-emergent herbicide is the application rate. You do not want to apply too much or too little, as this could result in weeds emerging and causing damage to surrounding vegetation. A professional lawn care company can help you with this, but it is also important to follow the product’s instructions so you can avoid over-spraying.
Pre-emergent herbicides come in a variety of forms. Most are available as liquids and can be applied with a pump-type garden sprayer. Liquid products need to be diluted before application. Granular pre-emergent herbicides come in granular forms that resemble tiny grains. To apply granules, you will need to mix them with water according to the label’s directions and then spread them evenly over your lawn.
Applying pre-emergent herbicides in early spring or late summer can prevent fall overseeding. While pre-emergents will kill weed seeds, they will also prevent beneficial plants from germinating. Therefore, it is best to wait until the desired plants sprout before applying pre-emergent herbicides. If you do decide to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn this fall, you will be able to reap the benefits until the spring.
Pre-emergent herbicides work by killing weeds before they sprout above the soil. The application is crucial. You should apply pre-emergent herbicides once soil temperatures cool to 55 degrees. This is the temperature at which cold weather seeds germinate. Moreover, you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for mowing your lawn as it may impact the efficacy of the herbicide.