Fertilizing your lawn
Pick up a drop spreader – this helps spread the fertilizer evenly throughout the lawn. It also helps drop the fertilizer granules to the bottom (closest to the roots). Make sure you change the settings to adjust the amount of fertilizer that you are spreading in the lawn. Measure the square footage of your lawn before you go out and by a granulated fertilizer. Make sure the fertilizer is a good-quality product. Remember if it is cheap it is probably not worth buying, that’s not to say spending a large amount of money on fertilizer will insure a lush green lawn. Most fertilizer bags have directions on them to let you know how much to use, be sure to read the directions ALL the way through.
Tips when fertilizing;
- When you walk with the drop spreader walk at a normal pace
- Be sure to overlap the wheels to avoid any yellow strips or spotting.
- Be sure to close the drop spreader when you get to the end, you don’t want to fertilize any gravel areas. You will get unwanted weeds.
- Fertilize along your lawns edging, if you have a bordered edge be sure to keep one wheel on the edge.
- Never fertilize a drought stressed lawn (brown dry lawn) You want the lawn to be dry when you apply the fertilizer but that just means don’t run your sprinklers before you fertilize.
- Always, always water your lawn after you fertilize. This helps the granules get into the soil and down to the roots.
Cutting your Lawn
There are quite a few different type of grass and all types should be cut at different heights. The types include but are not limited to; Bermuda, Rye, and St. Augustine.
Cutting tips:
- Never mow more then 1/3 of the leaf blade off at one time.
- Never let your lawn grow really tall before cutting it.
- Mowing once a week is best but can be done bi-weekly as well.
Grass height recommendations
- Bermuda Grass – cut grass 1 to 2 inches high
- Rye Grass (winter)– cut grass 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches high
- St. Augustine – cut grass 2 to 4 inches high. If grass only gets mowed every 2 weeks mow closer to the 2 inch height.
Weed control in your lawn
Treat your lawn with herbicides to control the weeds. Herbicides like pre-emergent inhibit weed growth. If you already have weeds in your lawn use an herbicide that contains carfentrozone, this will kill the weed without killing your grass. It is very important to buy the correct herbicide or you will end up killing your lawn.
If you are allergic to some herbicides you can always use a natural or organic product. These products do work well but take more time to work.
Watering your Lawn
Watering early in the morning is best for your lawn. Watering in the morning helps with absorption and prevents water from sitting on the lawn causing the lawn to mold or fungi. Make sure your lawn is receiving plenty of water so your roots can grow strong. If your lawn is not getting enough water the roots will be shallow and dry out quickly.
- Summer watering for Bermuda and St. Augustine – 12- 15 minutes per day with 2 days off.
- Winter Rye watering – 7-8 minutes a day with 2 days off.
- Do not water lawn on the same day you cut the lawn.
Example:
Sunday – Cut and edge lawn, No Water
Monday – Water On
Tuesday – Water On
Wednesday – No Water
Thursday – Water On
Friday – Water On
Saturday – Water On