When to fertilize
I have written posts in the past regarding how and what to use for your lawn fertilizer, but I thought I would address the issue of when to fertilize. A lot of people, including professionals, overuse fertilizers both in quantity and frequency. I am of the less is more camp, and I prefer not to use “hot” fertilizers (those with extremely high concentrations) as they can burn the lawn in the hands of less the experienced.
Fertilizers help to replace soil nutrients when they have been depleted. Thus, the fall, following a summer of drought, heat, and depletion, is the most important time to fertilize. Be careful to avoid the urge to fertilize in early spring when the grass is coming out of winter hibernation as this will add stress to your lawn. Instead, wait until May and fertilize lightly. I like to follow Penn. State’s rule of thumb to fertilize on May Day, Labor Day, and again on Thanksgiving.
These are guidelines that reinforce the idea to fertilize in late spring to help carry through the summer, and twice in the fall to recover from the summer and prepare for a dormant winter.
[…] Some people will swear by a particular fertilizer. The fact of the matter is that your plants will require different sources and different concentrations of N-P-K throughout the year. Pay attention to your plants and look for any symptoms that point to nutrient deficiency to know when to apply the fertilizer. […]