Maintaining a lush, beautiful lawn requires more than sun exposure, routine watering, and regular mowing. Your grass also needs fertilizer, which you can apply using a spreader, which is a type of lawn care equipment available in walk-behind models. If you're new to this level of lawn maintenance, here's how to get off to a good start.

When Should You Fertilize the Lawn?

Fertilize your lawn in light of the grass type, such as cool- or warm-season varieties. Cool-season grasses flourish in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which usually occur in the spring and fall. Apply fertilizer lightly with your chosen equipment in spring and heavily in the fall to encourage springtime growth and protect against harsh winter weather, respectively. 

If you have warm-season grass that thrives in late spring and early summer when temperatures are between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, fertilize before the weather gets too hot and again after temperatures have dropped. Doing so helps ensure the grass can withstand both extreme heat and cold.

For newly laid sod or seeds, apply fertilizer with high phosphorus content, as the mineral helps establish hardy, deep root systems. Established grasses do best with nitrogen-rich fertilizers that prevent yellow blades and slow-growing roots. 

How Can You Fertilize?

Use a lawn spreader to apply fertilizer, as applying your chosen product by hand can result in uneven applications that make grass appear overly lush in some areas and sparse in others. The right lawn care equipment for fertilizing depends on the size of your lawn and its landscape features. For example, if your lawn is medium- to large-sized, use a broadcast spreader that you push for broad, overlapping, efficient applications. 

If you must work around numerous shrubs, flower beds, and hardscape elements that create narrow strips of grass and many tight turns, choose a drop spreader. It “drops” the fertilizer underneath the equipment as you push for exact applications. 

Why Is Fertilization Important?

Create a fertilizing schedule based on your lawn and soil type to enjoy lush grass and fortify root systems. Healthy grass with strong roots prevents invasive weeds from taking over and can withstand foot traffic, pests, diseases, and weather changes. 

You should also fertilize to replenish nutrients lost from heavy rain, soil erosion, and grass clipping removal. Grass clippings break down over time to send nutrients back into the ground. Fertilizing also promotes new root system growth quickly, which is ideal if your lawn currently features several bare patches due to issues like frequent foot traffic or dog urine. 

Purchase lawn care equipment that makes fertilizing easy from Stanly Tractor Company in New London, NC. The power equipment dealer has a 50-year history of helping residents throughout the Albemarle area maintain beautiful properties with products from top brands like Kubota®. Call the family-owned company today at (704) 983-1106 with questions or browse their selection of lawn care equipment online. Connect on Facebook for more lawn care tips and the latest equipment updates.