Apart from boosting soil nutrients, the benefits of lawn fertilization include enhancing grass resilience and improving turf growth. Proper fertilizer application also can help your lawn resist diseases and endure harsh weather.
If you’re planning to sell your home, fertilizing your lawn can increase curb appeal. That can translate to a higher sale price. Just know that lawn fertilization is usually packaged as a series of treatments, so start lawn treatments months before you plan to put your home on the market.
In this article we’ll detail 8 ways lawn fertilization benefits your grass (or your home sale price). We’ve also included pro tips with insights on how fertilization differs from yard to yard, how fertilization deters weed growth, and application of weed and feed treatments.
Our Lawn Fertilization Expert
Stephen Burnett has been a lawn technician for more than 8 years for Emerald Lawns. Emerald, which is based in Austin, provides lawn fertilization and other treatments for lawns across Texas.
1. Improves soil properties
According to David Hillock, senior extension specialist at Oklahoma State University Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, commercial fertilizers not only add nutrients but also boost the supply of organic matter in the soil. As such, the most notable contribution of fertilizer to lawn health is boosting soil nutrients and structure.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or N-P-K, are the most essential macronutrients that impact your lawn’s overall well-being. Their corresponding numerical values are shown on the front of fertilizer bags in the same order or sequence.
Nitrogen is the most crucial macronutrient since it’s responsible for building proteins and creating chlorophyll. This nutrient helps make the grass green.
Phosphorus aids in amino acid production and plant respiration, which are necessary for lawn vitality.
Potassium is the macronutrient responsible for the long-term health of grasses. It also helps improve your lawn’s ability to withstand extreme conditions, which is why it’s one of the main ingredients of late summer lawn fertilizers or winterizers.
Stephen Burnett’s Pro Tip: “Of course, many lawns have unique needs. That’s why our technicians apply different fertilizers depending on a lawn’s type of grass or condition. In Central Texas, some lawns may need all-organic fertilizer or else fertilizer with higher nitrogen. And of course, we change our fertilizer type depending on the season.”
See Related:
– What is N-P-K? A Guide to Fertilizer Ratios
– Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers
2. Promotes grass growth
Apart from providing macronutrients, another benefit of fertilizers is that they also can supply lawns with essential micronutrients, such as:
- Iron
- Zinc
- Nickel
- Copper
- Chlorine
- Manganese
These essential nutrients are necessary for your lawn to develop strong roots and greener blades. Since they aid faster growth rates, you can have a denser, healthier lawn.
3. Boosts root development
Applying fertilizers as needed is crucial if you want your turfgrass to develop strong, deep root systems. Deep roots help improve your lawn’s ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, making it stronger and more resilient to drought and foot traffic.
Stephen Burnett’s Pro Tip: “Here in Central Texas, I used to see new-built homes with newly laid lawns that had shallow soil and thin roots. As a result, the lawns struggled with short grass and heavy weeds. But if the homeowner stays faithful to fertilization, that will help toughen the grassroots and crowd out unwanted plants.
“Topdressing the lawn with nutrient-rich compost can also build up that soil foundation,” he adds.
See Related:
– Best Grasses for High-Traffic Lawns
– How to Use Compost in Your Lawn and Garden
4. Improves resistance to pests
When you apply fertilizer to your turf, you give it the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy. Your grass becomes vigorous, giving it the strength to withstand lawn pests. Note, though, that applying too much fertilizer can actually attract pests to your lawn.
See Related:
– How to Get Rid of Caterpillars in Your Lawn
5. Prevents weed growth
Fertilizers help your grasses thrive and become lush. They develop a robust root system that extends all throughout the soil. The improved grass density in your lawn helps prevent weed infestation because there’s no more room for them to grow.
Stephen Burnett’s Pro Tip: “Many lawn care services also include weed treatment. Here in Central Texas, we often apply pre-emergent along with fertilizer for the early spring and fall. Pre-emergent applications help prevent weeds from germinating.
“Meanwhile, we spray existing weeds such as broadleaf, nutsedge, and spurge,” Burnett adds “For most lawns, a good lawn care technician won’t blanket-spray the entire property. Instead, he will spot-treat patches of weeds using a custom blend of effective herbicides.”
See Related:
– How and When to Apply Weed and Feed for Your Lawn
6. Enhances resistance to diseases
Water and sunlight are not the only things your lawn needs in order to thrive and stay healthy. Proper fertilization can help boost your lawn’s overall health and make it more resistant to various diseases.
So, if you want your turf to be resilient, give it a consistent supply of nutrients from fertilizers. Doing so can help your lawn better withstand various environmental stressors, including heat, cold, and drought.
7. Aids in faster recovery from damage
Fertilizers provide grasses with essential nutrients that support rapid growth and regrowth. So, a well-fertilized lawn can quickly recover from wear and deterioration even if it gets damaged by lawn pests, diseases, or harsh environmental conditions.
8. Boosts curb appeal
Since nutrients like nitrogen are necessary for photosynthesis and producing chlorophyll, feeding your lawn with the right fertilizers can improve its color and overall appearance. With a consistently green and healthy-looking turf, your landscape will be more beautiful and add significant value to your property.
FAQ about the benefits of lawn fertilization
Yes, you can combine organic and inorganic fertilizers. Selecting and using inorganic fertilizers can help you deliver much-needed nutrients to your lawn quickly. On the other hand, organic fertilizers slowly release the nutrients over long periods.
So, the best course of action is to combine organic and inorganic formulas in your fertilization plan. For instance, you can use compost as a long-term solution to provide nutrients to your turf. At the same time, you can add a specific fertilizer blend to target your lawn’s nutrient deficiency.
Cutting the grass a few days before fertilizing is an excellent way to reap the most benefits, as it allows for easier soil penetration and better absorption. However, try not to mow your lawn on the same day as applying fertilizers because the grass clippings may hinder the fertilizer from spreading evenly.
Stephen Burnett’s Pro Tip: “In Central Texas, we recommend homeowners mow their grass at least once every two weeks. During hot summer months, if you’re watering well and your grass is growing, we recommend mowing more often.
“Trimming the lawn every 7 to 10 days helps keep the grass healthy,” Burnett adds.
See Related:
– Should You Mow Your Grass Before Fertilizing?
When to Hire a Lawn Fertilizer Professional
Fertilizing a lawn offers many benefits, making it a cost-effective approach to maintaining curb appeal. If done correctly, you won’t have to worry about reviving your lawn because of pests, diseases, or other damage.
But DIY lawn fertilization mistakes are common. You can fertilize too much, leading to fertilizer burn, for example.
If you want your lawn to get the right kind and amount of nutrients, your best bet is to hire a local lawn fertilization pro. By hiring a pro, you get lawn fertilization without breaking a sweat or doing the math to determine what type of fertilizer your lawn needs and how much to buy..
Main Photo Credit: JJ Gouin | Adobe Stock | License
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Editorial Contributors
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Melanie Joseph
Author
With hands-on experience in gardening and lawn care, Melanie has been a dedicated writer for LawnLove for years now. She’s passionate about sharing practical tips to help homeowners cultivate healthier, greener yards — one blade of grass at a time.
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Stephen Burnett
Expert Reviewer
Stephen Burnett is a lawn technician at Austin-based Emerald Lawns. He has over 8 years of experience in central Texas lawn care. Emerald provides lawn fertilization and other lawn treatments across Texas.
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