For homeowners:
Does your lawn need fertilizer?
Tips:
- Healthy lawns require nutrients for their growth.
- All nutrients are important. They are just needed in different amounts.
- When the soil pH is 6.0-7.0 grass can access nutrients more efficiently from fertilizer and the soil.
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To fertilize or not. That is the question!
If your lawn has good density (desirable grasses and an acceptable level of weeds) and color that is pleasing to you, your lawn probably does not need any additional fertilizer at this time. Your lawn is likely getting enough nutrients released from the previous fertilization, soil organic matter and the clippings left after mowing.
If your lawn is thinning out (bare soil is apparent and weeds are taking over), it is time to adopt practices that can improve turf density.
A dense lawn helps reduce the potential for soil erosion to occur (which can move nutrients off site) and for nitrates to leach into the groundwater. Turf density will also increase the water available to your lawn by allowing more water to infiltrate into the turf canopy and into the soil.
See How to Care for Your Lawn for tips on improving turf density.
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