How to Prepare Your Lawn for Fertilization

Before you break out the fertilizer, important prep work must be done to prepare your lawn to soak up all those nutrients. You could think of it as getting your lawn into shape before the big growth race, priming it to perform at its best. Let’s examine what to do when preparing your lawn for fertilization and stage the way for healthy, beautiful turf.

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Fertilization

Step #1: A Fresh Start: Lawn Clean-Up

The first step in preparing your lawn for fertilization is clearing the area. After winter, leaves, twigs, and other clutter oftentimes cover the lawn. This debris may hinder fertilizer from reaching the soil. Get a rake or a leaf blower and clear everything on top of the grass.

Clearing debris stops diseases and pests from breeding and spreading in unmaintained environments.

Step #2: Cut Your Lawn: The Proper Mow

Mowing lets the fertilizer get through the lawn to the roots of your grass. You certainly don’t want to scalp your lawn. Take a little off the top and keep the grass blade length at around two inches.

This height is ideal for a healthy lawn. The grass is short enough to allow the fertilizer to penetrate the soil but tall enough to protect the roots from stress.

Remember to use a sharp mower blade to get a clean cut. This reduces the risk of tearing the grass and creating entry points for disease.

Step #3: Air Out the Soil: Allow It to Breathe

When you aerate your lawn, it’s like giving it a big gulp of fresh air. Soil compacts with time in places where people move on the lawn. This compaction makes it hard for water, air, and essential nutrients to get to the roots.

Aeration loosens the earth, creates little holes in the soil, and helps fertilizer, water, and air to get deep into the root system. You can do it manually, use a machine, or hire a professional to do it for you.

The number of times a year you should aerate your lawn depends on a few factors, including:

  • The type of soil
  • The amount of foot traffic by people and pets
  • How well-drained the soil is

Depending on the type of grass, you should aerate at different times. For cool-season grasses, aerate in early spring or fall. For warm-season grasses, aerate in late spring through early summer.

Once you see the difference in the growth and health of your lawn each growing season, you’ll never look back.

Step #4: Test Your Soil: Know What It Needs

Before you start spreading fertilizer, you should test your soil. Soil testing gives you specifics on what’s missing so you can select the proper type of fertilizer. The soil test results profile the nutrient content and pH level of your soil, which informs your choice of fertilizer for your lawn’s needs.

You can purchase a DIY soil test kit or send a sample to a local garden center for analysis.

Step #5: Lawn-Watering: The Pre-fertilization Drink

Watering the lawn well a few days before fertilizing it is necessary, although it might not make much sense. That’s because watering moistens the soil, softening the area for the fertilizer to absorb into the soil.

Don’t overdo it, you will want the soil to be damp, not soggy. Giving the lawn a light watering a day or two before fertilizing is all the prep needed.

Step #6: Choose the Appropriate Fertilizer Specifically for Your Lawn

Your soil test results guide you in choosing your lawn’s nutrient profile. Several fertilizers are available and come in:

  • Granular (dry pellets ) These are often applied with a drop spreader or broadcast spreader
  • Liquid fertilizers (water-soluble)
  • Slow-Release (granules designed to release gradually)
  • Organic options are also available to feed your lawn if you want a more natural approach

Different nitrogen content promotes green grass, while others have higher phosphorus and potassium levels for root development.

If you’re using fertilizer this spring, follow the manufacturer’s application instructions on the packaging exactly. If you don’t, you can burn your lawn and do more damage than good in the long run. Fertilization is about giving your lawn exactly what it needs in just the right amounts.

Why Waste Your Time Preparing Your Lawn for Fertilization When You Can Hire the Pros?

Preparing the yard for fertilization may seem like a satisfying DIY project, but let’s be serious – who’s got the time? Soil testing and trips to the garden center for fertilizer; who needs the hassle? They can handle everything from :

  • Soil tests
  • Aeration
  • Lawn care and prepping your lawn perfectly for fertilization
  • Fertilizing it with the right product and the right amount
  • Saving you from the guesswork and mistakes

You’ve got better things to do, so call in professionals.

Nature’s Helper – Lawn Fertilizer Service Omaha

Ready to transform your lawn into the envy of the neighborhood? Contact Nature’s Helper, Inc. today for expert lawn fertilization services tailored to Omaha’s unique climate. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality care, ensuring your lawn remains healthy and vibrant all year round. Don’t wait—schedule your consultation now and take the first step towards achieving the lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted. To request service or schedule a free installation estimate, contact us online or call us at (402) 334-2625.