According to the law, no lawn fertilizer should be applied between December 1 and March 1. Zoysia is fertilized in the late spring into summer. Offer helpful instructions and related details about Fertilizing Schedule For Southern Lawns - make it easier for users to find business information than ever The Maryland Fertilizer Law limits the amount of nutrients that can be applied to lawns or turf and restricts phosphorus content in lawn fertilizer. Typically in Maryland a winter fertilization isn't necessary unless we have a very mild winter (much like last year in 2019-2020). 5 Beginner's Rules for Lawn Fertilizer Use in Maryland: * Nitrogen applications must be less than .7 pounds of soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. The turf will not absorb the fertilizer unless it is growing. To know how much nitrogen is in your fertilizer mix, look at the numbers on the bag. If you fertilize too early, the plant . The Lawnifi New Lawn Starter Box is the best fertilizer for new sod and contains the perfect amount of nutrients for your newly establishing lawn's needs. The first occurring in the early spring, The second in late spring, The third in mid-summer, The fourth in early fall, and The fifth fertilizer application in late fall Typically in Maryland a winter fertilization isn't necessary unless we have a very mild winter (much like last year in 2019-2020). There is no benefit to fertilizing frozen soil. Refer to The Challenge of Growing a Lawn in Maryland. For most parts of the country, that means the first feeding should take place by about mid-April. Early Spring Lawn Care This is a great time of year to get some things ready for the busy spring season ahead. Choose a spreader. Is there a difference in lawn fertilizer for sod and other grasses? Wait to fertilize until your lawn needs mowing for the first time. If you have purchased the Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program, apply the Spring product now. Warm-Season Grasses. If using synthetic fertilizer, start your 4-to-6 week fertilizer schedule. It also reduces weed problems which helps to give the turf a uniform appearance. This law is in place to protect our beloved Chesapeake Bay. Once turf is 4 to 6 weeks old or older, nitrogen is the most important nutrient for a healthy, attractive stand of grass. 1 This is typically around mid-April for most parts of the United States. The times listed are general and may vary by location and altitude. The purpose of putting lime on your lawn is to slowly decrease the soil's acidity and bring the pH to the desirable area of 6.0-7.0.While the ideal pH level depends on your type of grass, any pH below 5.0 is generally too acidic for grasses to grow and thrive. Editor Picks. Fertilizing—Growth takes energy. The key in fertilizing our lawns properly is to apply the right formulation, at the right amount, at the right time. Bahia The last lawn fertilizer application should be made no later than November 15th, as stated in Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law Late summer into the fall is the recommended time to apply fertilizer to cool-season grass like tall fescue. Why You Should Fertilize Your Lawn . Mowing Heights Must Read. Tip A healthy lawn will be a relatively light shade of bright green. February 14, 2022. For example, if you are looking to aerate your soil before fertilizer treatments . Offer helpful instructions and related details about Fertilizing Lawns Timing - make it easier for users to find business information than ever Keeping your lawn lush and healthy requires attention every month of the year. If your Maryland lawn has fescue grass, a cool-season variety, then it will go dormant in the heat of summer and rejuvenate in fall again. Fertilizing your lawn in the spring can encourage leaf growth, which also will harm root development. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. Applying fertilizer to turf too early means more nutrient leaching. Trending. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia grass and Bahiagrass, thrive in southern regions. Popular. Fall is the best and most important time to fertilize your lawn because: Fall's morning dew delivers moisture to help turf absorb the fertilizer. If you make your home in Maryland, growing a lawn from seed is the most common way for you to have a nice yard full of beautiful turf. Do not apply fertilizer if heavy rain is predicted. Try to time it so there's no rain for 24 to 48 hours after fertilizing, or you risk having your lawn food wash away before it absorbs into soil. By this point your grass is busy and using up stored energy, so you need to keep it well-nourished. Summer Fertilizing Encouraging your lawn to grow during a time of year when temperatures are hotter than suited will actually take more energy from the plant, leading to reduced root growth and weaker plants in the long term. The Maryland Fertilizer Law limits the amount of nutrients that can be applied to lawns or turf and restricts phosphorus content in lawn fertilizer. A good rule of thumb is when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 60s which means soil temperatures are in the mid-50s. While fall is naturally good for feeding our lawn, you . Vimeo. Early Spring Lawn Care Essentials for Your Maryland Lawn. A: November 15 is the cutoff date for Maryland homeowners to fertilize their lawns in the fall. March 1 marks the end of lawn fertilizer blackout dates. If you live in the North: Fertilize your Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or fine fescue lawn with Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action, which tackles three important tasks with a single application.First, it will give your lawn the nutrients it needs to get thick and green this spring, helping the grass establish deep roots so it will stand up stronger to . Add these six important to-dos to your list. Just a few weeks ago, temperatures across Michigan were well below zero and 50 degree days . The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring, when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The grass has a chance to build stamina before a chilly winter. The best time to fertilize warm-season grasses is between late-spring to late-summer, when these grasses are growing most vibrantly. According to Maryland's Fertilizer Use Act that went into effect in 2013, you may not apply lawn fertilizer between November 15 and March 1. Timing: Apply late spring lawn fertilizer once between April and June, 6 to 8 weeks after the early spring feeding. Although nitrogen is an important macronutrient for plants, your new lawn needs to get established first before it can begin promoting new growth. Facebook. Keep it light, though, and use a slow-release or organic fertilizer. To learn about the characteristics of different grass types, see Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn. The fertilizer also feeds the weeds, which can lead to insect and disease problems later in the summer. Also Check: How Much Do You Pay Someone To Mow Your Lawn Which Is The Best Nitrogen Fertilizer For Garden. Saturday, April 9, 2022. Hit the ground running this spring by getting your lawn off to a great start. The best time to apply your last fertilizer application is between August 15 and October 1. Going south, Myrtle Beach is about where you start to see centipede and St Agustine. Lawn Care Weed Control. This is because the best time to. The local climate you live in will impact the type of lawn that is best for your area. As of March 1, fertilizer products containing nitrogen and phosphorus can be applied to lawns as long as heavy rain is not expected. If you need to fertilize your lawn, choose a fertilizer that's right for your grass and the pH needs of your soil. When should you fertilize? You'll know when the soil warms up to 55 because the lilacs begin to blossom and the grass starts growing. In most cases, new sod requires different nutrients than established grass. Supporting root growth in fall leads to a healthier, greener lawn in spring. 2. Summer. If you fertilize with nitrogen while your lawn is dormant, you can encourage weed growth, and ultimately waste fertilizer. To learn about the characteristics of different grass types, see Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn. Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law is designed to prevent excess nutrients […] Instagram. Mowing high helps to keep weeds out of lawns and promotes healthier grass. Fertilizers are labeled with an NPK ratio which tells you what percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), are used to create a particular formula. Check out this online tool to learn your current soil temperature. The times listed are general and may vary by location and altitude. Do . Determine the size of the area you want to fertilize by multiplying the length of your lawn by its width. When should I fertilize my lawn during spring? Additionally, insects and other pests will be less likely to destroy thick, healthy, and vivid sod. Your lawn fertilizing schedule will depend on the type of grass you have, but remember that it takes constant commitment to any routine to guarantee year-after-year success. Keep in mind that the size of your lawn and the services you select will play a part in the price you are quoted. With the help of a few basic tools, a nearby rental store and a free weekend, you can restore your lawn's original health and beauty. Do not exceed single and yearly application limits. Read and Follow all label instructions. March: apply any amendments as required by soil test results and/or compost tea. What time of year is best to fertilize your lawn depends on what type of grass you have, cool-season or warm-season. This is according to Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law. If you want to make your lawn greener and healthier , a product like The Andersons 16-0-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG is . Fertilizer products containing nitrogen and phosphorus may now be applied to lawns as long as the ground is not hard frozen or snow covered, and heavy rain is not predicted. Bahia Warm-Season Grasses. The fertilizer will create rapid, even growth across your yard by evenly distributing nutrients. This usually depends on the amount of rain we get. Work done in early spring will pay off big dividends later in the ear in the form of a stronger, greener and healthier lawn. If you're looking for more specific advice, fertilize the grass when the soil reaches around 55 degrees Fahrenheit—right around the time that flowers start to blossom and the lawn is showing signs of growth. One of the major activities is fertilizing the lawn, and, based on questions asked at the extension office, this topic is the source of much confusion. Quickly check your lawn care tasks for each month of the season in this monthly guide to a healthy, thick green turf. During the spring and summer months, you should avoid mowing your lawn. Just the facts, and only the facts. The law also prohibits lawn fertilizer applications within 10 to 15 feet of waterways. Fertilizing, after all, is a way to give your They go dormant over winter, return to active growth in spring, and peak in dry, hot summer weather. Local Sports Things To Do Business E-Edition . Fertilizer should be applied while your lawn is actively growing in the spring and fall - when grass is coming out of or going into dormancy (but no longer dormant). At about 4 to 6 weeks after the seed germinates fertilize the lawn with a high quality turf fertilizer that is predominantly nitrogen. An easy application of lawn food in early spring will help get your lawn off to a great start. Knowing what to do and when to do it is essential. Time is Running Out to Fertilize Lawns in Maryland - Lutherville-Timonium, MD - Violators of the Lawn Fertilizer Law may face civil penalties of up to $2,000. MSU Extension's Lawn Care Tip Sheet advises avoiding fertilization until May. Grass needs routine care to remain healthy, compete with weeds, and recuperate from drought, disease, or insect damage. Helping your lawn look its very best requires year-round care, even during the winter months when you might not even be able to see your lawn because of snow. Read More. Last-spring: fertilize in June. There are things you can do to help create a do it yourself lawn care schedule to prepare for the spring , summer and fall months when your grass will need the most attention. It is unlikely that your lawn will survive an extreme winter here in the Southern Maryland area. Ideally, your last lawn feeding should take place six to eight weeks before the average first frost in . Fertilizer is essential for maintaining healthy, relatively weed, and disease-free grass. This lasts from December 1 to March 1. Picking the right fertilizer depends on your lawn type and your end goal is. ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds homeowners to follow Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law while doing yard work this spring. If you have questions about the specific timing for planting or the best time to fertilize lawn areas, contact a local Cooperative Extension office. If you have questions about the specific timing for planting or the best time to fertilize lawn areas, contact a local Cooperative Extension office. Tips For Early Spring Lawn Care In Maryland. Knowing when to fertilize a lawn—and how—is a big part of keeping your yard lush and amping up that all-important curb appeal. The recommended time to fertilize tall fescue lawns is in the fall before November 15th. In the fall, fertilize your lawn when temperatures drop. Exclusive. If you are looking for a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when youve just begun gardening then this 50lb bag of granulate porcine blood meal is one of the best nitrogen fertilizers you can invest in. The law takes effect October 1, 2013 and is designed to protect the . Looking for an easy-to-follow, month-to-month lawn care guide? Applying fertilizer to your lawn after overseeding can create unnecessary competition from existing grass, making it difficult for new seedlings to get established. Read and Follow all label instructions. The first occurring in the early spring, The second in late spring, The third in mid-summer, The fourth in early fall, and. In spring, fertilize your lawn with Milorganite after the last frost and once your lawn begins to grow and green. For warm-season grasses, fertilizing your lawn in the fall will be beneficial, and lime is safe to apply throughout the year. Wait for rain. The goal is to help homeowners and lawn care professionals maintain healthy lawns without applying unnecessary amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. If you put down fertilizer in the spring, try and keep it light (half-pound of 10-10-10 per 1000 sq ft.) once the initial growth in May has . You do not need to use fertilizer if your lawn was fertilized last fall; be sure to know whether or not your pre-emergent herbicides contain fertilizer, as it will count toward the yearly feed. If you apply fertilizer too early, it will divert the plant's energy into leaf development too soon. Nitrogen is what gives your lawn a good green color. Signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley in 2011, Maryland's lawn fertilizer law includes new requirements for fertilizer manufacturers, homeowners and lawn care professionals who must now be licensed and certified to apply fertilizers to properties that they manage. For tall fescue, plan on fertilizing twice in the fall and once in the spring, no later than early June. In early spring, the grass is putting energy into root development. Fertilize warm season grasses (Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass) in late spring or summer and cool season grasses (fescues, bluegrass) in fall, based on soil test results. The quicker you can get to the grass, the more chance it has of recovering. For more information on Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law and fertilizer best management practices, visit MDA's website. Applying fertilizer in spring Then subtract the square footage of the house, driveway and other areas you won't be fertilizing. A soil test is required before phosphorus may be applied to established lawns. We carry every type of grass seed you will need to create your perfect lawn in Maryland, DC or Northern Virginia, from Winning Colors to Black Beauty to Greenview and more. Fall is the best time to plant grass seed but you can enjoy a beautiful, lush green lawn this Spring and Summer if you plant in early Spring. These state rules are in place to help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Lawn Fertilizing Your last lawn fertilizer application for the season should be made no later than November 15th in the fall. The pH of your soil can affect the health of your grass, so you should know exactly what your lawn needs before you start preparing it for winter. It's best to apply fertilizer to moist soil, so wait for a soaking rain and apply fertilizer the next day. My first fertilizer application goes down mid to late April depending on when my lawn to wakes up and starts to grow after the winter season. Featured. LAWN LOVE CLUB. Keep fertilizer applications 10 to 15 feet away from waterways. The first factor to consider when looking at your first lawn fertilization application is Maryland's Lawn Fertilizer Law. A spring application cannot be applied until after March 1st. The goal is to help homeowners and lawn care professionals maintain healthy lawns without applying unnecessary amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. (Distributed 02/28/11) With the recent warm weather, homeowners are anxious to fertilize their St. Augustine grass and centipede grass as well as get weed-and-feed out on their weeds. Youtube . It's usually best to wait at least until Labor Day to fertilize cool-season grasses, so you won't put stress on the grass or chemically burn it. Weed. To prevent runoff, fertilizer should only be applied to lawns when the grass is actively growing. Cool season grasses thrive in cool humid and cool arid areas of the country where the temperatures stay around 65 to 75 degrees during the majority of the growing season.. States with cool season lawns include: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana . The fifth fertilizer application in late fall. Twitter. An example using rough measurements: Lawn: 250 x 150 ft = 37,500 sq ft. House: 80 x 36 ft = 2,880 sq ft. Driveway: 12 x 50 ft = 600 sq ft. In the spring, fertilize when the grass is actively growing, around the same time you start to mow it. No matter what the weather does, Maryland does have blackout dates when you cannot put down any fertilizer. Patience is more than just a virtue when it comes to fertilizing lawns in spring. Maryland's climate can be challenging for growing and maintaining grass year-round, though, because the state is located in a transition zone — an area where different climates meet. Clean up fertilizer that lands on sidewalks or other impervious surfaces. Time is Running Out to Fertilize Lawns in Maryland - Pikesville, MD - Violators of the Lawn Fertilizer Law may face civil penalties of up to $2,000. For example, if you are looking to aerate your soil before fertilizer treatments . The best time to fertilize is when your turf is actively growing. The first of the three numbers is for nitrogen, and it shows the percentage of the bag that is nitrogen. Lawn Phix created this specialized lawn care calendar and schedule for cool season grasses - particularly in the Massachusetts/Zone 6a areas. Then I either follow the holiday schedule or apply every 6 weeks. Reply. If you have a large lawn, you may need to buy or rent a rotary spreader. 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