There are a number of factors to consider when determining how much fertilizer to apply to a lawn. 3 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of fescue should be applied over the course of the year in Illinois. In fertilizer, the NPK value includes the nitrogen (N) value, which will be listed on the bag and used to determine how much nitrogen to apply to the soil. Applying 3 pounds of 20-04-10 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet would result in 0.60 pounds per 1,000 square feet of nitrogen being applied to the lawn. A minimum of five applications over the course of a year would be required to meet the 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet minimum requirement. A lawn of 16,667 square feet would cover a 50 lb bag of fertilizer at a rate of three pounds per 1,000 square feet. When applying fertilizer, it is critical to know the size of your lawn and use a properly calibrated spreader.
Overdosing on nitrogen can cause a lawn a great deal of stress, which usually results in a fertilizer burn. It is possible for the grass to die or become discolored as a result of the overuse of fertilizer. When synthetic fertilizer salt dries out on top of the grass and soil, it causes a burn.
Fertilizer application mistakes do happen. A machine malfunction or a clerical error could result in the application of too much fertilizer to a specific area or the entire lawn. In the event of an accident, the best course of action is to remove as much fertilizer as possible. As an alternative to simply scooping up the fertilizer, the area should be flushed with water. If the product is watered in properly, a burn is less likely to occur.
When Should You Use It?
When it comes to applying fertilizer, timing is everything. There should be a balance in the amount of fertilizer applied to the lawn at each time of year. A buildup of thatch and excessive growth can be caused, for example, by applying too much nitrogen in the spring. It is possible to have weed problems if there is not enough nitrogen in spring. Grass burns and diseases can result from summer nitrogen applications.
Synthetic and organic fertilizer applications need to be spaced out appropriately. Stress and possible burns can result from applying too frequently, but applying too far apart can be ineffective. Fertilizer should be applied every 5 to 8 weeks on a fescue lawn.
It’s time to put it all together.
All in all, it’s like a well-oiled machine in terms of how much fertilizer and when it should be applied. Things will look and operate more smoothly if all the components are working together as they should. Things grind to a halt if you miss a step or run into a hiccup.
It’s best to measure twice and cut once, like in woodworking. Do your homework and double-check that your lawn size is correct, as well as the amount of fertilizer that should be applied.
When in doubt, talk to a lawn care expert and get your questions answered. Try asking around, checking with family and friends, and checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if you can find a business you can trust.
