Have you started your Dedham landscaping yet? Lawns are beginning to get green! If you haven’t started yet, it’s about that time of year to begin your Dedham landscaping. There are many factors that contribute to a healthy lawn. One factor that usually comes to mind is fertilizing. Fertilizing your lawn can provide the nutrients needed to ensure healthy growth. Just as we are told to eat the right foods to stay healthy, lawns too need to take in the right nutrients.
We’ve researched some of the best and brightest to tell you how to fertilize your way to a healthy lawn.
UMASS recommends to beware of too much nitrogen. The most efficient ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to apply to an established lawn is 3-1-2 or 5-1-2. Although nitrogen will give your lawn great growth, too much can lead to tender growth that will be more prone to disease. Be careful to apply the correct amount of fertilizer, at the right times of the year, and when the grass isn’t wet in order to avoid any problems.
UCONN recommends to use slow release fertilizers. The only way to really know what your lawn needs is to test it. Fertilizers used should be slow-release, which will provide your lawn the nutrients as it needs them. One pound of nitrogen in the spring and fall should be good enough to maintain healthy growth. For added natural benefit, leave your grass clippings on the lawn as these will break down in a few weeks and supply nutrients.
URI recommends to bring your lawn to optimal pH. A healthy, maintained lawn is key to keeping down weeds and improving resistance to damage from drought, insects, and disease. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 will ensure that most of the nutrients will be available to your lawn. If your lawn’s pH isn’t in this range, it won’t be able to take in much of the nutrients your fertilizer provides.
UVM recommends to take care to not burn your lawn. Beware of cheap fertilizers. These are usually water-soluble and have a higher potential of burning your lawn. Also, be sure to not fill your spreader on the lawn. Spills will happen… they happen to all of us. And if it happens on your lawn, you will end up with a big, ugly dead spot.
UMaine recommends to first figure out the problem. If your lawn doesn’t look healthy, don’t assume it’s due to lack of nutrients. Fertilizing your lawn is a great way to supply needed nutrients, but it won’t provide you with a beautiful lawn if the problem is really due to compacted soil, lawn disease, or problematic insects.
We have learned from the best and brightest how to fertilize our way to a healthy lawn and we hope you have too. Even though our company is comprised of University of Massachusetts graduates who studied landscaping and landscapers who have over 30 years of hands-on experience, there is always new research that we can learn from our brilliant New England agricultural universities.
If you would like to begin your Dedham landscaping and fertilize your way to a healthy lawn, contact us for a free consultation. Our Dedham landscapers will get you started on the right foot.
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