A proper diet will keep your lawn healthy and better able to fight off weeds and pests.

Increase success and decrease risk of damage by using with a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer. 

Start by calculating the area to be fertilized.  Measure then multiply the length times the width of your lawn to get the square footage.  The bag or your soil test will tell you how much fertilizer you need to apply to this area.
 
Apply half the recommended rate in one direction.  Then apply the rest in a pattern perpendicular to the first. This reduces the risk of skips and fertilizer burn.
 
Be sure to close the shoot and stop the flow of fertilizer as you negotiate corners and tight spaces or stop to talk to a neighbor.  Too much of a good thing – fertilizer -  can kill the grass
 
Last step is important – sweep all fertilizer off drives, walks, and patios so it doesn’t end up in our waterways.

Just a bit more information: The amount of fertilizer your lawn needs should be based on the quality of lawn desired and the time you want to spend managing your lawn.  High maintenance golf course quality lawns use the maximum amount of fertilizer while low maintenance lawns need the least.   Fertilize low maintenance southern grasses in April.  High maintenance southern lawns are fertilized April, June and August.  In the north you can follow the holiday schedule -Memorial Day, Labor Day and Halloween.  Eliminate the first two if you are following a low maintenance plan.  And consider using a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer that gives good results with less risk of damaging your lawn.

For more gardening tips, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com

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