Winter is a difficult time not only for flowering plants, but also for the lawn. Sub-zero temperatures, climate variability and increased humidity are just some of the factors affecting the appearance of the turf. One of the ways to improve its condition is fertilization, and this issue should be taken care of in a special way in spring. Learn the rules and preparations that will strengthen the grass on your property.
The most important purpose of spring fertilization is to regenerate the lawn and supplement valuable nutrients.
Among the elements that play an important role in the proper development of green turf, three deserve special attention:
nitrogen N - stimulates growth, is responsible for intense coloration
phosphorus P - strengthens the roots and accelerates their growth
potassium K - nourishes and makes the grass resistant to adverse external factors.
Choosing a fertilizer that will meet the needs of the plant and provide the necessary ingredients at the right time and in the right proportions is a task whose omission will lead to a significant deterioration of the lawn.
Spring fertilization of the lawn - what you need to remember
Before deciding on the type of fertilizer, it is recommended to carry out a soil test. Especially if you do not know the exact type of substrate and its pH (if the pH value is lower than 5.5, the lawn needs to be limed).
Why are these issues so important?
Both of them translate into the condition of the sod and either support its growth, or on the contrary - the grass loses its intense color, smaller or larger unsightly gaps begin to appear, and it weakens, becoming an easy target for pathogenic pathogens.
What's more, the use of a poorly balanced and improperly selected mineral preparation can lead to over-fertilization. This results in excessive soil salinity, which in turn inhibits the absorption of the desired nutrients by the grass.
Before you start spring fertilization of the lawn, it is worth carrying out basic treatments that improve the structure of the substrate.
In the case of sandy soil, it is necessary to enrich it with humus - compost will be perfect here. In turn, clay soils require aeration and scarification, and only then fertilization.
Aeration is the act of puncturing the turf to a depth of up to 10 cm. To carry it out, you will need special shoes with spikes, and in the case of a large area - an aerator. Aeration aerates the substrate, improves its structure, water absorption and fertilization absorption, and stimulates the grass to grow.
Scarification is a vertical cutting of the turf, aimed at loosening the structure of the ground, removing last year's felt and cleaning of the overlying grass, which block free access to air, water, but also to nutrients. Scarifying will increase the elasticity of the turf and increase its resistance to fungal diseases.
After carrying out the above treatments, it is necessary to wait at least a week so that the turf has time to regenerate. Also, make sure to remove weeds from the lawn. If the surface of the turf allows it, do it manually. For large and extensive lawns, it is better to use a suitable herbicide.
When to carry out spring fertilization of the lawn?
Of course - in the spring, but when exactly :)?
In order to choose the optimal date, it is necessary to observe the current weather conditions and forecasts for the coming days. Usually it is the turn of March and April, after the winter frosts have subsided and the ground has thawed.
A windless, cloudy and dry day is best. The grass should be dry and the ground slightly moist. The ideal time is to fertilize before the rain, and in the absence of rainfall, it is necessary to water the lawn after completing the care activities.
Remember to avoid fertilizing wet grass (fertilizer granules will stick to the blades) and very dry grass (can burn the grass).
How to fertilize your lawn in spring
Spring lawn fertilizers should be rich in nitrogen, which is responsible for stimulating the plant to grow. In garden stores you will find a wide range of possibilities, thanks to which you can choose not only the type, but also the fertilizer formula.
LAWN FERTILIZERS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO ORGANIC AND MINERAL.
The advantage of organic fertilizers is primarily the natural regulation of processes occurring in the substrate. In addition, organic fertilizers are completely safe and there is no possibility of over-fertilization of the soil. For this reason, it is an ideal proposition for people who use only natural preparations in their garden, but also for those who are afraid to reach for specialist products. An example of an organic version is e.g. manure, compost and coconut fibre.
Mineral fertilizers, in turn, are properly balanced and balanced mixtures that you can buy in three formulas: liquid, powder and in the form of granules. The most friendly and at the same time the easiest to use is the granular form. The application is limited to spreading the appropriate amount of the preparation, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Among ready-made mineral fertilizers, we can distinguish traditional fertilizers and long-acting fertilizers. When deciding on the first type, you must remember to fertilize the lawn systematically throughout the growing season, because its effect is limited to max. 30 days. In turn, long-acting fertilizers care for the lawn for up to 6 months, thanks to which 1-2 fertilization per season is enough. What's more, in the case of a long-acting fertilizer, similarly to an organic fertilizer, there is no risk of over-fertilization.
When discussing the types of lawn fertilizers, we cannot skip the single-ingredient, nitrogen-rich option. The most popular and willingly chosen one-component fertilizer, which will work well for spring fertilization, is ammonium nitrate.
IN SUMMARY, SPRING LAWN FERTILIZATION MUST BE CAREFULLY PLANNED.
Consider not only the weather, but also the quality of the substrate. Fertilization should start after preparing the soil, thanks to which the grass will absorb the optimal amount of nutrients from fertilizers. You can choose from a wide range of specialized preparations of various forms and methods of application.
No comments:
Post a Comment