Lawn Fertilization

UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh answers some common questions about lawn fertilization. Booker talks about warm season Bermuda and zoisia grasses. You should fertilize three times per growing season. For zoisia make sure you wait until June to fertilize. There are three main parts to fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen (N) helps the grass green up and only stays in the soil for a few weeks. Then it needs to be reapplied. The other two, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), help the root system grow. They stay in the soil for much longer. Because P and K stay in the soil, it is possible you can fertilize to the point that you can have too much P and K. A soil test will tell you how much you will need. When you fertilize your lawn make two passes perpendicular to each other each using half the fertilizer. This will make the application more even. If some fertilizer lands on the sidewalk or driveway sweep it up and put it back on the lawn. A soil test is important. Not only does it tell you what fertilizer to add, but it will also give you the pH of your soil. Having the correct pH will do more for your lawn than fertilizer. If the pH is wrong the grass will not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to grow.

Related Videos:
Late Fall Lawn Fertilization
Correct Lawn Fertilizer Application

Related Resources:
Fertilization & Management of Home Lawns (warm season)
Fertilizing Lawns
Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar