A Quick Look at a Fertilizer Schedule in Columbia, TN

The secret to having a lush and green lawn at your home in Columbia, TN, is to have a fertilization schedule in place to ensure that your lawn is getting everything it needs to thrive throughout the seasons. Many lawn care companies follow a similar schedule of what nutrients to apply and when. 

Related: The Reasons Why Fertilization of Your Lawn Is So Important in Smyrna and Hendersonville, TN

Early to Mid Spring Lawn Fertilization

If you want your lawn to receive the essential nutrients at the most effective time, wait until the temperature of the soil is about 55 degrees. This generally happens around mid to late April, but if you see lilacs blooming then the soil has probably reached an ideal temperature. The second application of lawn fertilizer generally happens about a month after the first application, which typically falls in mid-May. 

Oftentimes, a slow release nitrogen is applied that will encourage the grass to rebuild after the colder months. In addition to fertilizer, many lawn care companies apply a crabgrass preventer. When the grass doesn’t have to compete with weeds for nutrients, it will grow strong and healthy. 

Additional Spring Lawn Care Tips

• Spring can be a good time to have the dead grass raked out of your lawn. A spring clean-up to remove any debris is also a good plan.

• Having your lawn mowed higher may help the grass grow thicker and establish deeper roots.

Summer Lawn Fertilization

After the first couple of fertilizer applications, fertilizer is usually added about every six to eight weeks. In the summertime, nitrogen-rich fertilizers may cause stress to the lawn which is why many lawn care companies use a low-nitrogen fertilizer during the warmer months. 

Various minerals and micro-nutrients are applied, depending on the lawn. These may include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, and numerous others. A qualified lawn care technician can take a look at your lawn and determine which nutrients it may need based on the appearance of the grass blades.

Summertime is often a good time to have pesticides or herbicides applied to help control insects, weeds, and even fungus growth. Preventing the growth of broadleaf weeds and eliminating grubs or other insects can ensure that the root system is strong.

Additional Summer Lawn Care Tips

• As with all living things, grass needs a healthy amount of water to thrive. Having your lawn watered in the early morning is often recommended.

• Continue to have your grass cut high using sharp mower blades to prevent moisture loss.

Fall Lawn Fertilization

September is often the best time to apply fertilizer because the grass is beginning to recover from the hot summer weather. It may also be recovering from dormancy that was induced by drought conditions. 

At this time of year, nitrogen may be applied to help strengthen the grass. The grass is known to absorb fertilizer in the fall because it’s an active time for growth.

Some lawn care companies also recommend having fertilizer applied around two to three weeks before the ground freezes. Having your lawn fertilized after the first frost is ideal because at that point the ground is not yet frozen. This typically happens around mid-October.

Additional Fall Lawn Care Tips

• Fall is often the time to have grass seeds sown in bare areas of your lawn.

• In late fall, many lawn care companies begin mowing the lawn one to two inches shorter than normal, which prevents it from being matted down and prevents the growth of snow mold.

Related: Can Fertilization Help Improve Lawn Health This Spring in Brentwood and Franklin, TN?