DIY Network

Fertilizer Tips From "Grow It & Mow It" episode DMOW-102

Fertilizer is key to having your grass grow full and healthy. Here is what you need to know about fertilizing!

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Fertilizer Bag

Fertilizer

• The first number on the bag tells you how much nitrogen is in the mix. Many say this is the most important ingredient in fertilizer. It helps the lawn stay green.

• The second number on the bag represents the amount of phosphorus. It strengthens the roots of the grass.

• The third number stands for the amount of potassium in the fertilizer. It helps fight off diseases and helps grass survive hot dry spells.

• Pay attention to the type of fertilizer you buy. Quick release fertilizer is soaked up by your lawn right away. Many turf pros recommend slow release fertilizer. It provides a consistent feeding to your lawn.

How to Fertilize Properly

Types of Spreaders

• Hand spreader – good for small areas

• Drop spreader – works well near flower beds, drops fertilizer straight down

• Cyclone spreader – good for large areas, throws fertilizer out from underneath it

	Figure A
	Figure B

Spreading Fertilizer

• Adjust setting on spreader (figure A).

• Pour in half the bag of fertilizer and walk back and forth over your entire lawn.

• Make sure each pass slightly overlaps with the previous one.

• Pour in the rest of the fertilizer.

• Apply rest of fertilizer in a perpendicular pattern.

Tip: Step on the turf and if the leaf blade bounces back up, your lawn is in good shape (figure B). If it lays flat, you've over-fertilized.