In addition to regular irrigation and mowing, applying fertilizer to your lawn will keep the vegetation healthy. It adds nutrients to the soil, which plants absorb through their roots, and keeps your turf strong and thick. Thick and lush lawns can combat weed growth and pest infestation problems. To care for your landscape, below are fertilization tips to follow and practices to avoid. 

Do:

Use a slow-release fertilizer. 

As the name suggests, a slow-release fertilizer delivers nutrients to plants over time instead of all at once, ensuring that your lawn gets only the amount of fertilizer it needs when it needs it. Watering the lawn helps the gradual release of nutrients. 

Use a rotary spreader. 

A rotary spreader is a gardener’s best friend. With this tool, you can manipulate the fertilizer’s spread pattern over the area being treated. Use a rotary spreader to ensure even distribution. 

Don’t:

Fertilize a stressed lawn. 

Before applying fertilizer, check the turf for discoloration, curled blades, excessive weed growth, and other signs of stress. If you notice any of these problems, don’t apply fertilizer. The salt can accumulate in the soil, causing it to dry out even more. 

Fertilize near water sources and drains. 

Although phosphorous and other chemicals in fertilizer are necessary for the health of your plants, they can pollute water sources. For this reason, don’t use it in areas within 10 feet of streams, rivers, and other waterways. Also avoid using fertilizer near drains, where it can mix with runoff and end up in sewer systems.

Whether you’ve always had a green thumb or not, you’ll find all the lawn care tools you need at Landscaper's Corner in Lexington, KY. For over a decade, homeowners throughout the Fayette County area have considered this landscaping supplier the one-stop shop for design advice, fertilizer, mulch, and garden rocks for beautifying their exterior spaces. To learn more about their inventory, call (859) 225-9433, or browse selections online. To learn more about Landscaper’s Corner, connect with them on Facebook.