You may have the best-looking lawn, but chances are, you’ve dealt with weeds before. There are different herbicides and fertilizers available, and they are not created equal, so you need to know when to use fertilizer and weed control. Fertilizers and herbicides help you grow a thick, lush lawn that is weed-free and as green as the most vibrant color green in a crayon box.
Here’s what you need to know about weed control and fertilizer.
The Basics of Using Fertilizer
Fertilizer contains a variety of nutrients that are required for plant growth, including:
- Potassium
- Phosphorous
- Iron
- Nitrogen
Many times, one of these nutrients is in short supply. In normal conditions, these nutritious ingredients are supplied naturally by the air, soil, or water.
If you’re looking for a quick fix for greener grass, you need a fast-release fertilizer. Be careful using rapid-release fertilizers can burn your lawn, causing you to apply more fertilizer to your lawn as the season progresses. Go ahead and use natural/organic fertilizer if you prefer. Natural/organic fertilizers won’t burn your yard, but they contain fewer nutrients for healthy plant growth.
To determine your front or back yard’s need for fertilizer, take a look at your lawn. If your lawn is suffering from any nutrient deficiency, your lawn will appear yellow or yellow-green. Other indications of a lack of nutrients are clovers and stunted growth. Iron deficiencies feature a yellow-green coloring of your lawn, but stunted growth is not an issue. If your lawn lacks an adequate amount of phosphorous, your lawn can turn a greenish-blue color. The blades of your grass may be a reddish-purple color. If you’re interested in a sure diagnosis of your lawn’s troubles, you can collect a soil sample and send it to a lab for testing.
Applying Fertilizer
Fertilizer is best when it’s used at the start of the growing season. You should also apply fertilizer in the early fall months. Before you begin applying fertilizer in your front and back yard, make sure heavy frost and the heat from the beaming sun are not a problem. Extreme cold or heat are known as cool and hot stresses. Keep in mind different grass species require various fertilizer applications.
Using Weed Killer
Weed killers are great for keeping weeds from destroying your lawn, but be careful because all weed killers are not created equal. Killing weeds before they show their face in your lawn requires a pre-emergent weed killer. This specific herbicide should be applied in the early season before weeds have a chance to take over your yard. There are also post-emergent weed killers that get rid of weeds after they begin to thrive in your yard.
Whether you’re using fertilizer or weed killer in your front or back yard, make sure you follow the directions for the product located on its label. Following the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer will help you achieve your goals without damaging your lawn.
Are you being bothered by pests? Contact us to schedule your appointment for pest services or by calling 888-945-2847. We also offer free termite inspections!
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