Feeding Your Lawn and Landscape with Fertilizer
By Keith Markensen

Water and fertilizer are the two basic elements that your lawn needs. By giving them these, there is nothing else for you to worry about with your lawn. The lawn will do everything else on its own. Sometimes you don't even have to provide the water or fertilizer, depending on the soil and climate in your area.

Proper lawn care isn't as simple as giving your lawn fertilizer and water. It is very important to know how much and how often to apply them. Luckily, it's not difficult to overcome those problems.

For example, commercial fertilizers such as Scotts have special preparations, with specific directions that show you how and when to apply the contents. You simply need to follow the directions.

It is important to take your lawns specific circumstances into account. Rain in the forecast over the 48 hours after you plan to apply is an important factor. Sometimes, light rain can help, while in other circumstances, rain will wash away or dilute the fertilizer.

In the spring, you should apply the Spring fertilizer as early as possible. As soon as the snow melts, it can be properly applied.

By laying down fertilizer early, the new seeds laid down in the fall will begin to germinate, giving them an advantage over crabgrass and weeds. Also, lawn insects will be fought off more effectively by starting early.

It is very important to fight against insects. Japanese Beetle grubs and other insects can destroy your lawn. They feed on the roots as the young shoots are sprouting. If this begins to happen, it MUST be stopped right away or that part of your lawn will be dead for at least the entire growing year. The damage won't be visible until late spring or early summer, and the infestation is in the advanced stages by then.

It is very rare for replanting in that same year to be successful. It can take two to three years for the lawn to completely recover. By laying down fertilizer made to kill the grub as early as possible into the season, you can stop this problem before it starts. These fertilizers are sometimes called pre-emergent herbicides.

Make sure not to over apply fertilizers, however. Your yard could experience fertilizer lawn burn if you apply fertilizers too often or during hot weather. If your soil already has plenty of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients, adding fertilizer will make the levels too high. Too much of the nutrients can be just as bad as not enough of them.

pH, the degree of acidity or alkalinity of your lawn, needs to be measured. It is best to have a neutral pH, like water. If it is too acidic, moss and other growth will take over. If there is too much alkalinity, salts will become concentrated and the soil will not absorb water correctly.

If you maintain a regular fertilizing schedule using an adjustable spreader, your lawn will be as healthy as possible green, weed free, and with minimal insects.

Surprisingly people do not follow directions when feeding their grass and end up with fertilizer lawn burn Do it right! Visit http://www.plant-care.com/lawn-fertilizing.html to learn more on lawn care.

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