Sometimes we get so obsessed with the look of our lawn - its even height - that we forget about its health. But there are nutrients your grass needs. Here is a guide to ensuring that your lawn not only has an aesthetic appeal, but is sure to live a long and happy life!
First of all, there are different species of grass and this factor will determine how you fertilize your soil. Just like people, plants - and that means grass - need food. When you fertilize your yard, you are simply feeding it and thus giving it the energy it needs to grow tall and green.
How you will go about fertilizing, however, can be tricky. For example, newly installed lawns require a different amount of nutrients than established lawns. Moreover, you should change how often you fertilize with each season. When and how you fertilize is just as important as what you fertilize your lawn with. For example, should you use a fast-acting or slow-release fertilizer? Should you fertilize more often or less often during the cooler months?
Still, you first must grasp what nutrients your grass needs. Grass can only ward off pests and grow at a healthy rate and boast a beautiful green color if it's absorbing nutrients properly. The three basic elements your grass needs are: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Nitrogen is the reason grass has its rich, green color. Phosphorous basically improves a lawn's immune system. Finally, potassium accomplishes the same task of Phosphorous.
If you want your lawn to grow up healthy and strong, remember that watering is key! The soil must be moist enough so as to absorb the nutrients. A nifty way to kill two birds with one stone is to invest in a mulching lawn mower. This way you can cut your lawn and give it nutrients at the same time; mulch simply provides your lawn with a bed of leaves and cut grass blades that can then fertilize the ground.