If lawn grass is a good green color and growing quickly, then nitrogen is not needed. For DIY enthusiasts, it is therefore recommended to start nitrogen fertilization in May.
In May, the soils warm to a level that increases the activity of the soil microbes. Microbes then use soil nitrogen and remove it from the lawn grass, causing the lawn color to diminish and the rate of growth to slow down. During this period from late spring to early summer, nitrogen fertilization is best.
Many homeowners use combination fertilizer and herbicide products. Often in the spring, pre-emergence herbicides (PREs) are aimed at controlling crab grass. Crab grass is a warm season of the year. The majority of seed germination begins when soil temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Monitor soil temperatures at a depth of 5 cm with a soil thermometer. If April floor temperatures stay steady at around 55 ° F, apply a standalone PRE product. When soil temperatures warm up more slowly, a combination product can be used in May.
When fertilizing, it is recommended to use a fertilizer with about 50 percent slow-releasing nitrogen. These can be hard to find. Slow-release nitrogen sources are listed on the fertilizer bag as insoluble in water. Rapid release nitrogen sources are listed as water soluble or rapid release.
Quick release fertilizers promote a quick green, but the effect doesn’t last. They also increase the risk of scalping while mowing. The effect of quick fertilizer lasts for about three to six weeks. Half-fast and half-slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers promote a quick green, but also last for six to ten weeks.
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