Why do people invest their time, energy, and money into their lawn? The answer is simple. A well-maintained landscape usually serves the owner in his or her own way, whether it is social functions, kids play area, relaxation, or, most important of all, it is visually stimulating to anyone that looks at it. Think about it: you’re walking down the sidewalk noticing a person’s lawn that is patchy, has weeds, and is fairly unsightly. As you move on to the next lawn, the turf is thick with a vibrant green color, and when you step on it it’s soft. Most likely a simple fertilizer plan is the difference between these two lawns.
Fertilizer is used to boost nutrients in the soil that are lower than what grass needs to thrive. There are 16 nutrients that turf uses. Most of these are found naturally in the soil and at the necessary level for the turf to grow. Most of what we add through fertilizer is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, the state of Minnesota does not allow any application of phosphorus to commercial or residential properties.
In the spring, the first application typically has higher amounts of nitrogen to get that early “green up”. During the fall application, a higher amount of potassium is added to the soil for better root development in preparation for the winter. All the fertilizers Barrett Lawn Care uses have small amounts of micronutrients as well. We offer 2-4 applications a year depending on your personalized needs, plus a wide range of other services from our fertilizer department.
There are many factors that play into why your turf may not be healthy including drainage, sunlight, traffic, etc. An established fertilizer program can start to alleviate some of these problems, but is not a cure all. The best bet for your lawn becoming as healthy as it can be is to contact a professional and get an honest opinion on what is happening in your yard.
