Lawn Care Tip: Fertilize Less

When it comes to fertilizing your grass, less is more. Too much nitrogen can harm your grass, giving it a scorched look. A surplus of fertilizer also encourages weed growth and pollutes the waterways.

So, there’s no point in spending more on fertilizer than your lawn needs. Applying a slow-release fertilizer once or twice each growing season is sufficient. But that varies depending on your grass type and climate.

You can easily do a soil test to determine what nutrients your yard requires. You can find DIY soil test kits online and at home-supply stores. But beware: careful not to waste it.

You’ll waste a lot if you fertilize your lawn on a windy day before mowing or some heavy rainfall. If you use a granular fertilizer, you should instantly water the area to keep it from blowing away.

You can also decrease your need for fertilizer by adding some clover to your lawn. Clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant, so it enhances the soil naturally. It also has deep roots that help split up dense ground.