Ten Point Checklist to Fertilizing Your Lawn

1. Determine the amount of time and money you want to spend on managing a lawn.  The more fertilizer applied, the higher the maintenance level.
2. Know the size of your lawn. Measure the length and the width and multiply to get square feet.  All fertilizer recommendations are calculated in square feet.  Over fertilization of lawns means added maintenance.
3. Test your soil for required nutrients. Soil testing packets can be picked up at the County Extension Office.
4. Choose your fertilizer and fertilization rates based upon the soil test recommendations. Slow release fertilizers are the products of choice.
5. Match the annual nitrogen application program to your grass type and your level of work and inputs. Types of grass in Wheeler County area include Bermuda, Fescue, and Buffalo which all require different quantities of nitrogen.  For low maintenance, fertilize in the spring for growth and again in the fall for root development.  To increase quality of the turf, supplemental applications can be made throughout the summer.
6. Know how much fertilizer to apply in any single application based upon soil test recommendations as compared to the fertilizer analysis listed on the fertilizer bags. Fertilizer analysis is usually computed in three numbers (for example a 16-4-8).  The first number is nitrogen percentage, the second number is phosphorous percentage and the third is potassium percentage.  A 40 pound bag of 16-4-8 would contain 16% N, 4% P, and 8% K.  To calculate total pounds each nutrient contained in a bag, multiply the total weight of the bag by the nutrient percentage.  Example:  40 x 16%=6.4 pounds of actual nitrogen.  At the rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, the 40 pound bag would treat 6,400 square feet of lawn.
7. Investigate types of fertilizers: urea, slow release, weed and feed, etc.  Use caution on weed and feed fertilizers.  Some are made for Bermuda grass lawns.  These weed and feed products can also damage or kill nearby flowers, shrubs, and trees.
8. Know when to apply fertilizer in the spring. A good rule of thumb is to apply fertilizer after the second mowing of grass (not weeds)around May 1^st.  At this time the grass is actively growing and can utilize the nitrogen.
9. Know if additional fertilizer is needed between spring and fall applications. Newly established, previously neglected or higher maintenance type lawns where the homeowner wants to improve the quality and density of the turf may need additional nitrogen applications.  Supplemental nitrogen applications should be spaced 45-60 days apart.
10. Know when to apply the last fertilizer application in the fall. This application will help your lawn store up nutrients for the winter and improve spring recovery.  Fall applications should be made September 15-October 1 for the Wheeler County area.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the County Extension Agent, Dale Dunlap, at 806-826-5243