How Do I Fertilize My Lawn Myself? (Easy TIP)

Unlock the secrets to a lush, green lawn by learning how to fertilize your lawn yourself with our easy tips and tricks. Alongside proper fertilization, it’s crucial to understand the impact of different garden inhabitants, such as the benefits and drawbacks of ants and the role of garden snails.

Unearth valuable insights into creating a flourishing lawn and garden, and transform your outdoor space into a vibrant oasis.

Takeaways
Fertilizing your lawn can help keep it healthy and green.
Choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn is important for optimal growth.
Different types of grass may require different fertilizers and application methods.
Over-fertilizing can be harmful to your lawn and the environment.
Following instructions on the fertilizer label can help ensure successful fertilization.

Choosing a Type of Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a substance that helps plants grow. A bag of fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) in different proportions, depending on the type of plant you’re growing and its needs.

Fertilizers are sold in various forms: granular or liquid; organic or synthetic; natural or synthetic. The choice you make for your lawn will depend on the type of soil you have, how quickly it absorbs water and if there’s an area where leaching may occur after watering your lawn.

Liquid fertilizers are highly soluble in water they can be applied directly to your yard through sprinklers or irrigation systems as well as hand-sprinkled around each plant so they get an even distribution across your lawn surface area (this method is useful when applying fertilizer with a broadcast spreader).

Liquid products offer many advantages over dry granular ones because they dissolve easily into the soil without clumping like granules do once they’ve been watered down by rainwater runoff after application during rainy days.

Another benefit is that liquid products can contain more nutrients per pound than their dry counterparts would provide because they don’t weigh as much when applied directly onto moistened ground instead of dry earth where clumping might occur due to lack of moisture present at time purchase date.

How To Fertilize The Lawn | Apply Lawn Fertilizer – YouTube

Choosing the Right Time to Apply Fertilizer

The right time to apply fertilizer is in early spring and late summer. It’s best not to fertilize when the ground is frozen, nor should you fertilize the lawn at the beginning of winter.

Fertilizing in fall can be done, but only if you wait until temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

This way, harmful salts won’t build up in your soil as they would if you applied fertilizer when it’s very cold out.

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Watering Your Grass Before You Fertilize It

When you fertilize your lawn, it is important to water it first. It’s best if you can do both at the same time.

This helps the fertilizer get into the ground and actually work on your grass. If you don’t water first, the fertilizer can sit on top of the soil instead of sinking in and working its magic.

Applying the Fertilizer

Spread the fertilizer evenly over your lawn. If you’re using a spreader, set it to distribute 20 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

Wait until after a rain to apply fertilizer about three or four days after the last significant rainfall or watering to reduce the risk of burning plants and damaging soil structure by bringing too much moisture in contact with roots.

Apply fertilizer twice per year: once in spring, and again in summer (or vice versa if you live in an area that receives snowfall).

The exact amount varies based on what type of grass you have and how much sun exposure it gets you can follow these guidelines from the University of Illinois Extension Service for most situations:

If you have cool-season grass (bluegrass or fescue), use 1 pound nitrogen per 1000 square feet every spring; do not add any more during summer months because they don’t need supplemental nutrients at that time
If you have warm-season grass (Kentucky bluegrass) add another 1 pound N/1000 sq ft each subsequent growing period as needed.

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Using a Liquid Product

Applying liquid fertilizer is easy. First, choose which product you want to use and follow the directions on its label.

Then, spread it evenly over your lawn with a drop spreader or by hand. When applying fertilizer in this way, make sure you don’t apply too much it’s better to err on the side of caution and use less than more!

You’ll want to water it afterwards so that it can be absorbed into the ground properly (don’t do this if rain is expected within 24 hours).

You can also take care of applying liquid fertilizer at home by mixing together two parts water with one part fertilizer in a watering can or garden sprayer and then spraying it evenly over your yard once every few weeks during spring through fall months when grass needs nutrients most.

Don’t worry about getting too much; excess won’t harm anything except maybe some plants (and even then only slightly), but not enough will cause problems!

Using a Granule Product

Granules can be applied to your lawn in a variety of ways. You can put them on by hand, or use a spreader if you’re going to be spreading a lot of fertilizer, it’s worth investing in a spreader that has an adjustable lever for different rates of application.

If you’re using granules, make sure to water them in immediately after application so that they do not clump up and become inaccessible to the roots once they have been watered.

Once you’ve fertilized your lawn with granules, it’s important to remember that the product won’t last forever; typically a single application will last about four weeks before needing another one.

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Using a Drop Spreader

If you have a large lawn, a drop spreader is the best choice. They are relatively easy to use, inexpensive and won’t leave clumps of fertilizer in awkward spots like other methods.

However, if you have a small lawn that’s relatively flat and doesn’t need much fertilizer then this method isn’t for you!

Drop spreaders aren’t very accurate when used on small areas and they may cause damage to plants if used incorrectly.

Using a Broadcast Spreader

Broadcast spreaders are the most common type of fertilizer spreader. They’re used to apply granular fertilizers, which are commonly found in bags at home improvement stores.

These types of bags often have “broadcast” written on them, so this is where the name comes from!

Broadcast spreaders can also be used for weed control products such as herbicides and insecticides. Broadcast spreaders are easy to use: just fill it up with your desired fertilizer and go!

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Using a Handheld Unit

You’ll want to make sure you have a handheld spreader in order to fertilize your lawn yourself.

This type of fertilizer spreader is easy to use and can help you get the job done quickly, so it’s ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time or are just starting out with lawn care.

You may know there are two types of spreaders: broadcast and drop (sometimes called “drop-style”).

Broadcast spreaders work by throwing fertilizer in all directions as the user walks by, so they’re best for larger areas where it doesn’t matter if some lands in undesired places (e.g., the sidewalk).

Drop spreaders apply fertilizer straight down from the hopper into furrows carved into your soil by tires or wheels, which makes them ideal when precision matters more than coverage like when seeding new grasses or treating disease-prone areas with fungicides.

If you’ve decided on using a handheld unit, here are some things you should know: Handheld units come in different sizes depending on how much lawn space they need to cover; most people find that 30 pounds will do the trick nicely!

They also vary by price range depending on what features matter most and because these products aren’t usually made from high-quality materials like their industrial counterparts are (think plastic versus metal), price shouldn’t be indicative of quality anyway!

Watering Your Grass After Fertilization

After you fertilize your lawn, it’s important to keep the soil moist. You can do this by watering your grass daily or every other day for about 10 minutes.

It’s not necessary to water during the night, as long as you water early in the morning before temperatures rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

If you have a sprinkler system that automatically waters your lawn, make sure that it is adjusted correctly so that it doesn’t spray directly on newly seeded areas or newly applied fertilizer.

If possible, avoid walking on freshly seeded areas after they’ve been irrigated until new grass begins to grow in order to prevent compacting the soil around each seed and slowing down germination time.

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Frequency Of Application Based On The Type Of Lawn You Have

If your lawn is high-maintenance, you will need to fertilize it more frequently. The type of fertilizer you use will impact how often you need to fertilize your lawn. For example, some types of fertilizer require more frequent application than others.

If your goal is a lush, green yard that looks great all year long and needs less maintenance than other types of grasses do (such as St Augustine or Bermuda), then using organic fertilizers may be a good option for you.

Organic fertilizers include composted manure and fish emulsion these are both ground products that are rich in nutrients that feed the grasses naturally without any synthetic chemicals added into them.

Organic fertilizers can be applied directly onto the topsoil around newly planted seedlings for quick availability and uptake by young plants with minimal hassle on your part.

However, if applying manually rather than automatically through irrigation systems during watering cycles (irrigation systems with timers), be aware of weather conditions so as not to overdo it! Remember: too much water can lead

to root rot–this means no fungal diseases but also no greenery either so just stick with what works best for YOU!

Be Sure To Choose The Right Fertilizer Type For Your Soil

Get a soil test. This is the only way to know exactly what nutrients your soil needs, and how much fertilizer you should apply.

Know the basics of NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three nutrients found in fertilizer that help plants grow.

You may see these abbreviations printed on bags of fertilizer or mentioned on labels at garden centers.

Some fertilizers also contain other nutrients such as sulfur and iron which can be beneficial depending on what kind of lawn you have or what is growing in your garden beds.

If you’re buying a commercial brand of fertilizer with all its components listed on the bag (such as “N-P-K 10-10-10”), then it’s already been balanced for different types of plants; if not, consult our list below before adding any additional elements into your home mix!

Conclusion

The most important thing is to have fun with this process! It may seem like a lot of work at first, but once you get the hang of it and start to see results, you’ll never go back.

FAQs

What is the best brand of lawn fertilizer?

There are many different brands of lawn fertilizer on the market, each with their own unique formulas and features. Some popular brands include Scotts, Miracle-Gro, and GreenView. Ultimately, the best brand for you will depend on your specific lawn care needs and preferences.

How often should I fertilize my lawn?

The frequency with which you should fertilize your lawn depends on several factors, including the type of grass you have, the climate in your area, and the type of fertilizer you are using. In general, most lawns require fertilization 2-4 times per year.

How do I apply lawn fertilizer?

The application method for lawn fertilizer will depend on the type of fertilizer you are using. Some fertilizers are applied directly to the lawn, while others are dissolved in water and applied as a liquid. Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer label for best results.

When is the best time to fertilize my lawn?

The best time to fertilize your lawn will depend on the type of grass you have and the climate in your area. In general, it’s best to fertilize your lawn in the spring and fall, when the grass is actively growing.

Can I use too much fertilizer on my lawn?

Yes, using too much fertilizer on your lawn can be harmful to the grass and the environment. Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer label and avoid over-fertilizing.

Hellen James

For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.