Is Fertilizer Safe Around Children and Pets in the Nolensville, TN Area?

If you have children and/or pets, you may be concerned about whether or not it is safe to have fertilizer applied to your lawn in the Nolensville, TN, area. The answer depends on the type of fertilizer that is used, but in any case, fertilizer will make your lawn a more comfortable place for your children and pets to play—once it’s safe to do so.

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Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Potassium

Your lawn needs three essential nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Most fertilizers will contain at least one of these three nutrients, and some have all three. You may see larger amounts of potassium applied in the spring and summer as it supports plants during their growth. Nitrogen is beneficial for plants during their middle stages of growth, usually around late summer. Phosphorus is a nutrient that plants require at all stages because it is especially effective at strengthening the root system.

While these nutrients are generally safe for pets and children, it depends upon the amounts that have been applied. It is always a good idea to err on the side of caution. In any case, check with your lawn care technician to find out exactly what nutrients, herbicides, and chemicals are being applied to your lawn so you can make an educated decision.

Fertilizer & Herbicide Mixes

Many fertilizers will include the three essential natural nutrients, but they also include a mix of herbicides that are used to kill weeds. Because of this, many lawn care professionals do not recommend children or pets be allowed on the grass until the fertilizer has been absorbed into the soil. Good rainfall or watering makes this process go faster, but staying off the lawn for 24 to 72 hours is generally recommended. A good rule of thumb is to stay off of the lawn for a period closer to 72 hours if there are herbicides present in the fertilizer mixture.

Organic Fertilizer

Just because a fertilizer is organic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for children and pets. In fact, many organic fertilizers are made out of animal bi-products, such as bone meal or blood meal, and dogs can be especially attracted to these materials. If they ingest too much, they can experience digestive issues or even bowel obstruction. It is often considered best practice to keep children and your pets off of the lawn for at least 24 hours.

Chemical Fertilizer

As you may expect, you will want to keep your pets and children off of a lawn that has been treated with chemical fertilizer. Again, 24 to 72 hours is the general recommendation. These chemicals need rain or watering to make the chemicals dissolve so that the lawn is considered safe to walk upon again.

If a Pet or Child Comes in Contact with Fertilizer

For an emergency situation, you would want to call 911 or an emergency veterinarian service. If you would like more information, you can also call the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222. They will be able to connect you with a trained medical professional who can offer advice and answer questions related to fertilizer applications and safety.

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