{"id":798,"date":"2021-08-20T09:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T09:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/?p=798"},"modified":"2022-01-18T23:33:53","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T23:33:53","slug":"fertilizer-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/fertilizer-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn fertilizer basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/tips-for-a-healthy-lawn\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/tips-for-a-healthy-lawn\/\">previous post<\/a> shared a few lawn tips for a healthy lawn. This next chapter introduces a variety of basic fertilizers to promote good soil and\/or plant growth, especially for lawn care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many homes are built on lots where the land is cleared and leveled with sand. Sadly, only a thin layer of soil accompanies your sod that sits on top of the sand (unless you have a thoughtful home builder that supplied a healthy level of organic soil).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overtime, nutrients get lost and require replenishment.  One option is cut your lawn low, aerate it, and spread an organic top soil that introduces lost nutrients. Another option requires fertilizers. I prefer a combination of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-background\"><strong>Shout-out:<\/strong> Down here in the South, my go-to local garden expert Randy Lemmon has a great <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ktrh.iheart.com\/content\/2017-06-26-randys-lawn-fertilization-schedule\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ktrh.iheart.com\/content\/2017-06-26-randys-lawn-fertilization-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\">fertilization and weed prevention schedule<\/a> to supplement your soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Organic vs. Synthetic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two schools of thought: organic vs. synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CHVL3B\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CHVL3B\" target=\"_blank\">Milorganite <\/a>feed the soil with microbes. The result takes time, but can promote a healthy lawn without a significant environmental impact. Synthetic fertilizers contain a specific ratio of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) to be applied throughout the year (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CHVL3B\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CHVL3B\" target=\"_blank\">Milorganite<\/a> also contains a lighter ratio of N, P, K). Granules require a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3jM5P2X\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3jM5P2X\" target=\"_blank\">spreader<\/a> and proper application from manufacturer recommendation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you pick up a common fertilizer from Scotts, you may read a label with the numbers 15-5-10. Basic math, this is a ratio of 3-1-2 (also known as Texas Turf meant to be applied from April to August).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Nitrogen, the first number, is used by plants to promote leaf growth. If you recall from biology, chlorophyll is green and nitrogen helps.<\/li><li>Phosphorous, the second number, helps deepen the roots. A well established lawn can fight most diseases.<\/li><li>Potassium, the third number, strengthens the blades or stems.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From spring to summer we apply a higher concentration of Nitrogen to promote growth. As we get closer to winter, the lawn turns dormant. We want to ensure the right nutrients are applied to strengthen the root system for next Spring during the lawn cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong>In February<\/strong>, usually after the last freeze, we apply a green up formula, as previously mentioned: 15-5-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-background\"><strong>From March to April<\/strong>, we apply a slow release formula and then another round from June to July: 19-4-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-background\"><strong>From October to November<\/strong>, we apply a fall mix: 8-12-16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional trace minerals can be applied depending on your lawn status. For example, Iron in August.  (In case you&#8217;re wondering, my favorite brand is Nitro-Phos. Check your local shops or garden centers.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weed Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent or minimize weed growth, apply a pre-emergent herbicide (<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ANueMH\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ANueMH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Barricade<\/a>) three times a year: February, May, and October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\">Most garden experts have cautioned against applying fertilizers that contain Weed and Feed or quick-release&nbsp;fertilizers. With such a heavy dose, rain or water can wash away the chemicals into storm drains and into our water table that could contaminate other bodies of water and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of these products are stored in a special, sealed, stackable <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3lTZzZG\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3lTZzZG\" target=\"_blank\">container<\/a> that I found on Amazon. It&#8217;s toddler proof (at least my toddler) and difficult to open without a special <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3yIlXbW\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3yIlXbW\" target=\"_blank\">lid opener<\/a> that only costs a few bucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\"><strong>As always, send us any questions and don\u2019t forget to follow our\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buildtomade\/\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram stories<\/a>. Check out our most recent lawn post on IGTV.<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our previous post shared a few lawn tips for a healthy lawn. This next chapter introduces a variety of basic fertilizers to promote good soil and\/or plant growth, especially for lawn care. Many homes are built on lots where the land is cleared and leveled with sand. Sadly, only a thin layer of soil accompanies &#8230; <a title=\"Learn fertilizer basics\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/fertilizer-basics\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Learn fertilizer basics\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-how-to"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=798"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":823,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798\/revisions\/823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildtomade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}