Lawn Fertilizer Burn – Don’t Let It Happen To Your Yard
Question: We have on our lawn or yard fertilizer burn – I think. New St. Augustine grass has just been installed at our house, my husband fertilized it with the "best lawn fertilizer" in his opinion, his own homemade brand! Can you offer any advice or tips on fertilizing our lawn so we can buy and applying the right fertilizer – correctly. Liz, Ormond Beach, Florida.
Answer:It’s easy to experience fertilizer burn, especially with a new lawn. Remember grass is a plant, when it is transplanted from one site to another it will experience some shock. It’s always best to allow some time for the roots to establish themselves before pulling out the fertilizer spreader and fertilizing a new lawn.
One quick start on a new lawn is by using a liquid lawn fertilizer. Keep in mind, the liquid fertilizer is concentrated and can potentially burn a lawn just as easily as bagged fertilizer if not applied correctly.
When applying any fertilizer on grass, first, read the label – and DO NOT APPLY DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY – it’s another way for a lawn and fertilizer burn to get together. Fertilizers are basically salts and when they become concentrated in a solid or liquid form a burn can occur.
Watch Out for Homemade Fertilizer
As for homemade lawn fertilizer, unless you’re a professional, stay away from trying to “make your own.” It’s not just the green grass that burns but also the roots. Once burned, it can take a long time to grow them back.
For best results in feeding your grass don’t broadcast it by hand, use a lawn fertilizer spreader to help distribute the fertilizer evenly. After you’ve “put out the feed”, water it in. Water enough to get the nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other elements to the root system.
Roots – Key to a Healthy Lawn
The key to building a healthy lawn, focus on growing a good root system. If you have a strong, active, vigorous root system you’ll have a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
Tips for Mowing Grass
Depending on where you live many different grasses may be adapted to your area with eah one having its own unique mowing requirements. St. Augustine grass should be cut at 3-4 inches, Bermuda and zoysia cut at 1 – 1.5 inches and centipede not allowed to grow taller than 2 inches. Grass that is actively growing should be cut one per week.
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