Fertilizer and Green Grass

Lush green grass is one of the premier goals of lawn care. The greenness of the grass depends on supplies of  the proper amount of water and nutrients in the soil. Grass needs 16 ingredients in the soil for normal growth. The ingredients include macro-nutrients, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur; and micro-nutrients, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. 

The first three elements, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are never deficient in plants because they are provided in the form of water and carbon dioxide. 

Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are the primary nutrients. They are also the most prevalent ingredients in soil supplements. The inclusion of these chemicals in fertilizers is referred to as NPK and is expressed as, for example, 10-10-10,  which means this fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. 

Secondary nutrients are seldom added to a fertilizer chemical mix and may also be supplied as lime. Secondary nutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. 

Micro-nutrients are required in trace amounts and are rarely included in fertilizer. Two exceptions are fertilizer used for very sandy soil such as for golf putting greens and iron supplements used to create very green looking grass without the risk of excess foliage.

Each of the nutrients play a specific role in stimulating grass color and growth. Nitrogen stimulates root and shoot growth, green color, and disease and stress resistance. Phosphorus stimulates seed development, root/shoot growth, and maturation. It is therefore an important ingredient in starter fertilizers. Potassium stimulates leaf turgor, cold and stress tolerance, and disease resistance. 

Calcium deficiencies can result in poor root and shoot growth. Magnesium deficiency results in foliar chlorosis (yellowing). And sulfur deficiency results in deficient chlorophyll production. 

Having seen how important the plant nutrients are in promoting green healthy grass, you can understand why it is important to test your soil to determine chemical content and then select a fertilizer that will correct the deficiencies. 

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Resources: For exceptional lawn care and maintenance in the Yorktown Heights and Westchester County, NY area contact the Turf Barbers; 2929 Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; 914 302 2469 ; http://www.the turfbarbers.com

Fertilizer Burn Treatment and Prevention

Fertilizer Burns

Fertilizer burn, patches or streaks of yellow to brown grass appear 1 day to a couple of weeks (if you use a slow-release fertilizer) after over-fertilization of the lawn. The cause is excess nitrogen salts, which pull water out of the roots via osmosis, resulting in reduced water uptake. In addition to discoloration and root damage, the burned out lawn might exhibit tell-tale white, yellow or brown stripes where the spreader rows overlap (double dose fertilization). The amount of lawn damage will depend on the amount and type of fertilizer applied, the amount of available water, and the amount of salt concentrations in the soil. If treated promptly, yellow grass will probably recover; however, dry brown grass probably won't. Fertilizer burn should be corrected as soon as it appears. Follow these four steps to remedy the symptoms:

1. Remove any visible fertilizer with a broom, wet/dry vac, or any other implement that can scoop up the granules.
2. Use sprinklers to water the discolored areas. On day one apply as much water as will sink into the soil. Avoid toxic runoff, by watering at rate that will permit the moisture to sink into the earth.
3. Apply one inch of water for each of the next seven days.
4. Wait to see if the grass recovers. If not, reseed the discolored areas during the next growing season (spring for warm weather grass and fall for cold weather grass.

Take the following steps to prevent fertilizer burn:

1. Fertilize your grass with organic well composted fertilizer. Apply a 1-2 inch layer of composted fertilizer twice a year.
2. If you're using chemical fertilizer, select the appropriate mix based on your soil analysis and apply only as directed.
3. To be safe, applying only dilute or controlled-release fertilizer products.
4. Avoid lawn stress by fertilizing lightly. Never fertilize lawns that are showing signs of stress, disease, or water deprivation.
5. Do not apply fertilizer to wet lawns or allow the chemical mix to contact wet leaves.
6. After adding granular fertilizer, be sure to apply enough water to rinse fertilizer off grass blades and assure an even application of chemicals down to the roots. 

For excellent fertilizer burn treatment in the Westchester County and Putnum County areas contact the Turf Barbers at (914) 302-246-2929; Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; http://www.theturfbarbers.com; Email- Info@theturfbarbers.com