The One Time To Never Fertilize Your Lawn (And When To Do It Instead)

There are several things you should never do when fertilizing a lawn, and one of the biggest no-no's is spreading fertilizer on wet grass. This simple practice is important when taking care of your lawn, but it's a common mistake that many people make. While some people believe fertilizing a wet lawn is harmless or even beneficial, it can lead to a variety of issues, from scorched grass to wasted product and environmental pollution. 

The best time to fertilize your lawn is always when the grass is completely dry. This ensures that the fertilizer gets all the way down into the soil, where the roots can absorb the nutrients. It also prevents potential damage to your grass and helps you get the most out of your efforts and product. There are also other factors you'll need to consider in order to fertilize at the optimal time. This depends on the type of fertilizer that you use and the type of grass growing in your yard. Even the time of day and season are important to achieve the best results. Though this task does require a bit of homework, you will be rewarded with a lush, green lawn that's healthy from the soil up.

Much like knowing how often you should fertilize your lawn, fertilizing in the right conditions is also an essential part of good lawn maintenance. Applying fertilizer to a lawn when the grass is wet is a common mistake that can cause a few problems. One of the risks is nutrient burn, which happens when concentrated fertilizer sits on damp grass blades. The excess moisture may cause the fertilizer to dissolve too quickly, scorching the grass and leaving behind burned spots that can take a long time to heal. It may also lead to uneven growth because the fertilizer pellets tend to clump together on a wet surface, resulting in areas that get too much fertilizer and other areas that get too little. This can make your once-pristine lawn appear splotchy and uneven.

Another issue you may encounter is runoff. When the ground is already saturated, it doesn't have the ability to absorb more liquid. If it rains after you've applied fertilizer to a wet lawn, the nutrients can easily be washed away, running into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. This not only prevents your grass from benefitting from the fertilizer, but it also introduces the fertilizer chemicals into local water systems, which can be harmful to wildlife. Again, this can be avoided simply by waiting for dry weather to treat your grass with fertilizer. 

As we now know, the best time to fertilize your lawn is when the grass is dry. However, the soil underneath should be slightly moist. This typically happens in the morning after the dew has evaporated, or a day or two after a light rain or watering. The slightly damp soil helps the fertilizer settle in and begin its work without the risk of it sticking to the grass blades and causing a burn. For granular fertilizer, applying it with a broadcast spreader provides the most even coverage. To prevent a splotchy look, walk at a consistent speed and make sure your passes overlap slightly. After applying, it's important to lightly water your lawn to help the nutrients move quickly into the soil, where they can be absorbed by the roots. This watering step is important if you are using quick-release fertilizer, since it helps activate the product and prevents it from burning the grass.

The time of year you fertilize is also important, as it varies based on the grass type. Cool-season grasses like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass do best when they're fertilized in the fall and spring, while warm-season grasses like zoysia and Bermuda grass benefit from applications in late spring and summer. Knowing which grass type you have will also help you decide which fertilizer is best for your lawn. It's always recommended to follow the manufacturer's directions for your specific product in order to get a vibrant and healthy lawn.