596111-1 LAWN WATERING AND
FERTILIZING TECHNIQUES
A lush, green lawn is a sight to behold. Many variables
are involved in growing and maintaining
grass, and water and fertilizer are among the most
important components.
Knowing how much water and fertilizer to apply and
when to apply it can make a big difference in the appearance
and health of a lawn. That’s because a well-fed and
watered lawn will develop a better root system, which
makes the lawn less vulnerable to stressors like drought,
mowing, foot traffi c, and heat, according to the Scotts®
company.
Fertilize
There is no magic formula governing when to fertilize a
lawn. The type of grass and how well-established a lawn
is must be considered. Experts suggest having the soil
tested to determine its pH levels and if any nutrients are
lacking. A fertilizing schedule can then be developed after
testing.
Keep in mind that overfeeding a lawn will not make it
grow any better and actually can damage the turf. Several
small applications of fertilizer during the lawn’s most
active growing period may be helpful, advises the home
improvement resource Tools Around the House. An annual
application (late spring for warm-season grass or
fall for cool-season grass) may be all that’s needed.
Certain fertilizers need to be applied and watered in.
Others may be combined with weed-control products
and must be set on top of damp grass. Read packaging
to determine the right application.
Water
The right watering schedule and techniques can help a
lawn thrive. Scotts® says adjusting for climate and nature
can help grass to grow strongly. A lawn that has a
grayish cast or appears dull green is telling an owner that
it needs water. Another test is to step on the lawn. If footprints
disappear quickly, the grass blades have enough
moisture to spring back.
Water the lawn in the morning before 10 a.m. when it’s
cooler and the winds tend to be calm so that the water
can soak in. For those who must water at night, do so in
early evening so that the water can dry before nightfall
and will not contribute to disease.
Scotts® says to water an established lawn until the top
six to eight inches of soil is wet. Most lawns need one to
1.5 inches of water per week from rain or a hose to soak
the soil that deeply.
Newly established lawns may require more water to
keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Visit a lawn care center for more information on watering
the type of lawn for your area or visit www.scotts.
com for additional tips.
www.ALLISLANDMEDIA.com Spaces 2021 Spring Edition 811