Root growth is, therefore, stunted as the grass plants take advantage of nitrogen availability to grow luxurious, green, top growth. The optimal time (in terms of both desirable plant response and environmental protection) to fertilize cool-season grasses in Virginia is from mid-August through early November, keeping in mind that the timing will vary somewhat depending on where you are located in the state. And, yes, the time of day that you fertilize your lawn this fall matters as well. Does the company offer a variety of pest management approaches from which you may choose? Everyone, it seems, wants you to fertilize your cool-season lawn in April. Spread it anytime from early September through mid-November when air temperatures are cooler and the soil is still warm enough for grass roots to grow deep. Most lawn fertilisers are safe and you can use or walk on your lawn almost immediately after application. Fall is often associated with cool weather, hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies. For the majority of cool-season lawn owners, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November. Most lawn grasses in our area are cool season species, which go dormant during the heat of the summer. Here are some tips from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. If you must fertilize in the spring, limit it to a light feeding (0 phosphorus) after the initial flush of growth has subsided in May. Also be sure to keep your mower blades sharp to produce a cleaner cut that slices through grass rather than pulling it by the roots. The grass sends its roots deep into the soil because summer is coming; the rain may stop, and the heat is certainly on the way. Does the company routinely combine fertilizer and pesticides in each application. Grass is the same. It is the accumulated wisdom of eons of survival. Generally, winterizing is best in October or early November when the temperature is around the upper 40ish… But if you want to take full advantage, apply fertilizer to your lawn in early September. Here's some tips from the pros at Consumer Reports. Here are some tips from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. 1. Most lawn experts agree that a fall fertilizer application is a good idea in cold-weather climates where winters are a period of dormancy. However, we can say that grass that has not been fertilized in April has a better chance of surviving the tough, mid-summer conditions. Fertilization at a rate not to exceed a half-pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn should be done in the latter half of May when the grass plants have completed their annual growth of roots. Never fertilize in the summer. Clippings left on the lawn will contribute a substantial amount of nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil and reduce fertilizer requirements. You turn off the TV, but it still doesn’t end. Just before your area’s first expected frost date, head out to your lawn and aerate. Great question and thanks for your concern about our water table! It appears that Sandy Scott on the Masters golf telecast was right. Fertilizing your grass in the fall is an excellent way to get a jump start on spring and ensure your lawn is healthier and greener when that time of year comes around. Early spring is the right time to treat your lawn for weeds, but it is not the right time to fertilize. For the good of your fescue, bluegrass, and perennial rye, resist. It has never looked happier. After you cut the grass, let the turf clippings lie on the yard since they are mostly composed of the grass’s leaf tissue and reduce decompose rapidly. The same can … Therefore, the major advertisements of nationally marketed fertilizers, and the splashy promotions in the big-box stores are correct for some parts of the country. This is the time for the grass to grow shoots above the ground after the root growth has finished for the spring. Sooner is better. Timing is everything when you apply fertilizer. Fall is often associated with cool weather, hayrides and pumpkin-flavored goodies. Another resource is Home Turf: a Healthy Virginia Lawns program. Lawn Fertilization in Virginia, Publication 430-011, Virginia Cooperative Extension, ©Copyright Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association, Inc | All Rights Reserved. It also feeds weed species and can lead to disease and insect problems later in the season. Fall is one of the most important seasons to fertilize, and a little fall lawn care planning goes a long way. By Gil Medeiros, Fairfax Master Gardener Spring fertilizing is not particularly helpful for your lawn. If you use pesticides, apply only to the area that is affected by the pest. Caring for Your Lawn in Winter Get your lawn ready for the winter with Jonathan Green’s Winter Survival Fall Lawn Fertilizer. Fertilizer companies bombard you with their slick, sophisticated, sometimes entertaining television ads. The pellets spread more evenly with less dust. Does time of day matter when I fertilize my lawn? You'll be happy to hear that fertilizing your lawn more than once a year isn't necessary if you do it right the first time. You probably know that too. Resist the temptation to apply a weed-and-feed product. Start with a clean slate by mowing the lawn right before you fertilize. You should however check that the fertilisers used are safe for use around pets and animals. If you are looking for a quick and easy guide for when to fertilize a lawn, late summer and fall are the optimal times for most lawns. We would advise that you do not mow your lawn straight after an application as … Which order and when do I start? on tall fescue. Don’t ever fertilize during a drought when the plant will not have access to sufficient water. Below are some tips to help you determine which lawn type you have. Most of your fertilization should have been done the previous fall. Keep it on the lawn. When the plant is growing shoots, it slows and eventually shuts down the growth of roots. While lawn care companies and manufacturers of granular and liquid fertilizers recommend fertilization, independent scientific studies from university programs do confirm that late summer and fall are especially good times to fertilize turf lawns. Use this quick rule of thumb for the best time to add winter fertilizer to your lawn: Apply in September, unless you live in the southern third of the U.S. That's because the northern two-thirds of the U.S. is home to lawns with cool-season grasses or “transition” … However, we are here to help. Applying 20 lbs of 30-3-10 uniformly to the 6000 sq ft lawn delivers 6 lbs of total N, or 1 lb N/1000 sq ft. A fall fertility handout detailing how to calculate fertilizer amounts accompanies this podcast as a pdf attachment and can be accessed at Virginia Tech’s Turf and Garden Tips weblog page. Does it apply pesticides on a regular schedule regardless of need or does it limit pesticide use to only when needed? Timing is everything when you apply fertilizer. Mike in northwest D.C. writes: “I need to seed, fertilize and weed my lawn. When & How to Fertilize Your Lawn. When to do it depends on where you live. The most common need in this area is lime because most soils in Northern Virginia are acidic and lime helps to neutralize the acidity. This is contrary to the popular belief that spring is the best time to fertilize. As with all fertilizer products, check the label and follow instructions for your specific grass type. Higher settings allow the grass to compete effectively with lower-growing weed species. Oct. 18: Living on a Farm! What happens when you feed the grass in April with a lawn fertilizer that contains 20 to 30 percent nitrogen? To answer this question, it is recommended that you should always follow the instructions found on the label of your chosen fertilizer. But it's also the best time of year to fertilize your yard and give it the best chance to thrive next spring and summer. If you’ve never aerated before or need a little reminder, check out How to Aerate Your Lawn.Aerating gives your lawn a chance to breathe before the grass goes dormant, and helps relieve any compaction that has built up during the warmer months. This priority is hard-wired into the DNA of the plant. Effective lawn feeding after Thanksgiving often is hampered by wintry conditions, when precipitation will wash the fertilizer into local streams, contributing to waterway pollution. Use a lawn fertilizer with a higher amount of nitrogen, if your grass type is Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, or soil is sandy, or grass clippings are not returned to the lawn. Is it OK to fertilize in spring? The further north you garden, the sooner you'll feed your lawn. One common mistake with lawn care is mowing your grass too short. Brown patch (Rhizoctonia sp.) As a general rule, allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and your first expected frost. A healthy lawn can get by with fertilizing in the spring, and maybe again In the fall to keep it strong through the off-season. In addition, you will have to mow the lawn more frequently. Your first fall fertilization should be in late September to early October and then apply a second treatment of fertilization in November. If you decide to leave lawn care to the professionals, carefully research a company’s methods of operation. Fertilizer sources that contain more than 50% WIN can be applied up to 1.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft; those that are predominantly WSN should be applied at no more than 1 lb N/1000 sq ft. For turf, pelletized limestone is preferable to pulverized limestone. Here’s why: In the early spring, as most plants awaken from dormancy, they want to grow roots. In addition, sharp blades help extend the life of your mower because the engine will not have to work as hard to produce the same results. If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. For a simple breakdown of the applications, carry out applications two or three in fall for cool-season grasses. If you have a small lawn, consider using a manual-reel mower. Not here. Whenever you walk into a big-box hardware store to buy a No matter how frequently you fertilize your lawn, the rule of thumb you should follow is that you should apply fertilizer while your grass is growing the fastest. 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