Over the past century, millions of homeowners have come to value the lush, green expanses of soft grass lawns. Historically, the lawn has evolved from a luxury of the richest landowners to an affordable pleasure available to almost everyone. In order to maintain a healthy, beautiful lawn, fertilizer should be applied on a regular basis. Take a few minutes to think about what it is you expect from your lawn. Does it have to be perfect or can you accept a few weeds? Knowing your needs will help choose the appropriate fertilizers.

Why does a lawn need fertilizer? All plants need various types of food to thrive, just like people. In addition to sunlight and water, plants make use of several elements necessary for their growth. Some elements, such as oxygen, hydrogen and carbon, plants gather from the air. Others are used in relatively small amounts and are gathered from the soil. Examples of these are iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus
(P) and potassium (K) are called macronutrients and lawns require them in larger amounts than occur naturally in the environment. N-P-K are the primary active ingredients in lawn fertilizers.

How do I know how much fertilizer my lawn needs? Soil can be tested to determine how much of each nutrient it needs to maintain a lawn. The University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory is an accurate, inexpensive place to start finding out what your lawn needs. An information sheet and form for soil testing at the University is available at Bachman's, as well as at your county extension office. There are home test kits available that will give you an approximate analysis when needed, but a laboratory test is a good idea every few years. Test results from the University will tell you how many pounds per year of each of the macronutrients will be needed to maintain your lawn. These recommendations will be tailored to your lawn from the information you provide regarding your mowing and watering routine. Generally, lawns are considered either high- or low-maintenance. A high-maintenance lawn is watered in addition to rainfall and consists of vigorously growing varieties of grass such as the newer types of Kentucky bluegrass. High-maintenance lawns benefit from heavier applications, around 3-4 pounds of nitrogen each year. Low-maintenance lawns are usually not watered and consist of slower growing varieties such as creeping red fescue, chewings fescue or some of the older, common types of bluegrass. These low-maintenance lawns need lighter applications, around 1-2 pounds of nitrogen each year.

Now that I know how many pounds of N-P-K, how do I pick out the right bag of fertilizer? This can be confusing. To simplify things, Bachman's has formulated its fertilizers to provide what is usually required in our area. High-maintenance lawns require 3 or 4 applications of fertilizers each season. Low-maintenance lawns need only 1 or 2 feedings. After you decide which type of lawn you have, consider if you want to use herbicides for weed control. Then choose the product that will suit your needs.

What if I am planning to seed my lawn? When planting new grass seed, you shouldn't use a fertilizer that contains herbicides (weed-and-feed or preventers) for several months before and after seeding. Bachman's Starter formula is lower in nitrogen and high in phosphorus to encourage good root development.

How do the various herbicides differ? Herbicides work several ways to kill unwanted weeds. Weed and Feed contains a post-emergent herbicide, one that acts on weeds that already exist. Crabgrass Preventer contains pre-emergent herbicides that work by keeping seed from germinating and developing.

What is the best way to apply the fertilizer? Dry lawn fertilizer is easy to apply using either a rotary or drop spreader. Rotary spreaders have the advantage of covering wide areas with each pass. Drop spreaders are more accurate, but require more walking. Whether you use a rotary or drop spreader, fertilize at half the recommended rate, then go back over the same area again, crossing your first paths. Look on the fertilizer bag to find the setting for your spreader.

When should I fertilize? Since nitrogen is very mobile in the soil, you will need to split your fertilizing over several applications, try to avoid putting down more than 1 lb. N/1000 ft2. Ideal weather conditions would be a cool, calm day, followed by rain or watering. Avoid fertilizing when temperatures exceed 85°.

Lawn Fertilizing Options
High maintenance lawns need 3-4 applications spaced throughout the season.
Low maintenance lawns should only be fertilized once or twice each season in the fall.
Early Spring
April 15 - May 15
Choices: Turf Food or
Starter Fertilizer or
Crabgrass Preventer or an organic product

Late Spring -Early Summer
May 15 - June 15
Choices: Turf Food or
Weed and Feed or an organic product

Late Summer - Early Fall
August 15 - September 15
Choices: Turf Food or Starter Fertilizer or an organic product

Fall
September 15- October 15
Choices: Winterizer or an organic product

Late Fall
October 15 - Snow Cover
Choices: Turf Food or Winterizer or an organic product

Bachman's Fertilizers
Turf Food 27-0-14 A good, all purpose lawn food providing 1.08 lb. N/1000 ft2
Starter 18-22-6 A lower nitrogen/high phosphorus fertilizer providing .72 lb. N/1000 ft2
Crabgrass Preventer 18-0-12 Fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide providing .72 lb. N/1000 ft2
Weed and Feed 18-0-12 Fertilizer and a post-emergent herbicide providing 1 lb. N/1000 ft2
Winterizer 18-0-12 Low nitrogen/no phosphorous fertilizer providing .72 lb. N/1000 ft2

© Bachman's 2008