Thinking about...It’s almost that time of year again. Fall is the best time of year to apply fertilizer to fescue and bluegrass lawns. Applying fertilizer in September helps thicken the stand of turf and encourages development of a healthy root system.
This recommendation may seem strange considering all the hype in the spring to fertilize the lawn. Cool-season lawns typically experience a flush of shoot growth in mid-spring. Applying nitrogen before this flush is over can cause the grass to grow too fast. Not only will one need to mow earlier and more often, but the excess shoot growth exhausts the plant’s food reserves. The general rule of thumb is no more than 25 percent of your total annual nitrogen should be applied in the spring.
Bags of fertilizers display three numbers. The numbers stand for the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in that order, that are contained in the bag. For example, fertilizers that would be appropriate to apply in September are 27-3-3 or 25-5-5. These fertilizers contain primarily nitrogen.
Choosing the right type of fertilizer is important. Nitrogen in fertilizer is the most important nutrient, as it is needed in the greatest quantities by the turf. It is essential for healthy growth, color, and density. Vigorously growing lawns use more nitrogen than what is available in the soil, so it must be replenished on a regular basis through fertilization.
Phosphorus, the second number listed on the bag, is needed for growth of roots and shoots. Adequate quantities are often present in the soils of established grass.
Potassium, the third number listed, is essential for the overall health, stress resistance and cold hardiness of lawns. Like phosphorus, it normally is found naturally in the soils. Applications of fertilizers containing large quantities of phosphorus and potassium are not recommended for the Kansas City area unless a soil test indicates the need.
A strong root system is the foundation of a healthy lawn. Improve your lawn by fertilizing at the right time.
-- Chelsey Wasem