Lawn Care and Fertilizers

 

Why is it that some garden lawns have lush green grass while others in the same area look tired worn and even brown? Well, to be brutally honest, it is simply down to lawn care, those poor quality lawns you see are sadly neglected while the lovely fresh green lawns have been lovingly cared for by a gardener who understands the needs of the grass and the importance of maintaining a healthy lawn. The key to success is using the correct fertilizers and suitable amounts of water.

It never ceases to amaze me when I see a neighbor carefully applying fertilizers to their flowers and borders while totally neglecting their lawn care duties. Clearly they understand that all plants need food to grow well but so many seem to assume that a lawn is more than capable of looking after itself. I have seen some neighbors watering their lawn with the rest of their garden and, admittedly, their lawns look better than some of the others. Unfortunately my direct neighbor allows his lawn to grow out of control with lots of weeds which he allows to go to seed. This causes me immense problems so I have to regularly use 'weed and feed' type fertilizers to keep my lawn looking great and free from weeds but keeping my lawn short leaves me open to invasion by the common daisy which is a real nuisance in my area.

Understanding that good lawn care includes the use of water and fertilizers is only part of my success. I also understand a little about the different elements of fertilizers, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium all work together to make your grass strong and healthy.

Nitrogen is the most important ingredient as it helps the grass to grow and is crucial to maintaining it's lovely green color. Regular application of Nitrogen will help your grass to grow more dense with good strong shoots that are sufficiently sturdy to help your lawn withstand walking and other pressures such as disease. Nitrogen fixation in the roots of grass is vital as it helps it to stabilize the required nutrients taken from the soil.

Phosphorus make up a small but important percentage (about 4%) of fertilizer. It's role is to promote germination (in new lawns) and to help strengthen the roots. Without a good strong root system your lawn will be more susceptible to changes in the weather, grass with poor roots is unable to cope with extended periods of dry hot weather, especially when water restrictions are in place.

Potassium is extremely important to the well being of your lawn as it is used in the process of the formation of plant carbohydrates. It helps the lawn to withstand the pressures and stresses of wear and extreme weather (including drought) and greatly helps the plant to resist disease. Unfortunately potassium is far too easily washed from the soil, hence the need for regular application of fertilizers.

Besides the various chemical elements of lawn care fertilizers (and the different ratios for different purposes) there are also different types such as granular fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, synthetic fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Personally I prefer to use granular types which can be applied dry or dissolved in water. Some types are suitable for use in hose attachments but I prefer to be more precise using a simple watering can. In spring I apply a dry slow release type and follow with regular applications of dissolved (or liquid) fertilizers. Towards the end of the year I apply a light dressing of organic fertilizer.

Liquid fertilizers usually come in concentrate form and have the advantage that the nutrients are made immediately available to the plants. It is amazing to see a lawn go from limp lifeless and browning to lush green and lively in only a short period of time and liquid fertilizer is great for doing this. Liquid fertilizers win on ease of use (especially if you use a hose attachment) but they are usually slightly more expensive to buy.

Synthetic fertilizers are the most commonly used but many people are looking to decrease the use of synthetic chemicals in the garden. For this reason organic types are increasing in popularity. Organic materials often release the nutrients into the soil slowly meaning that they can be applied less often than other types. Some can be a bit smelly but it will pass quickly. Of course some organic material, such as manure, is not so easy to apply to a lawn but is great for the other plants in the garden (especially your roses).

Finally, whenever handling chemicals (synthetic or organic), you should protect yourself by wearing protective clothing. Wear a face mask and heavy duty gardening gloves. Change out of your gardening clothes as soon as you have finished in the garden and wash them immediately. Never put away your gardening equipment without first cleaning it, taking special care to rinse (many times) any containers such as watering cans, with fresh clean water.

 

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