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Don’t Make These Mistakes When Fertilizing Your Lawn

Fertilizer treatments are instrumental when it comes to establishing a lush, green lawn on your property. And even though the process may seem straightforward, it's still possible to make mistakes when fertilizing your lawn. One common mistake you can make is applying too much fertilizer, which can actually harm your grass. Another mistake is using the wrong type of fertilizer for your grass type, which is especially important here in the Sarasota, FL area where there are many different types of grass. The third common mistake you can make is not combining your fertilizer with weed control because weeds can steal all the nutrients from your grass. That's why you should hire a lawn care professional to fertilize your lawn instead. They have the knowledge and experience to avoid these common fertilization pitfalls!


Applying Too Much Fertilizer at Once

Fertilizer burn patch in lawn in Longboat Key, FL.

While fertilizing your lawn is a great way to give your lawn a boost in nutrients to help it stay healthy and grow stronger, it's possible to apply too much fertilizer to your grass. When your lawn is over-fertilized, it can cause what's called: "fertilizer burn." You'll notice if your turf is affected by fertilizer burn because there will be discolored patches of grass scattered across your yard. It's best to be mindful of the amount of fertilizer you're administering each time, and if possible, reach out to a professional as they will be sure to apply the correct amount of fertilizer.


Using the Wrong Type of Fertilizer for Your Grass Type

One of the common mistakes people make when fertilizing their lawn is not paying attention to what type of fertilizer they're using. Different types of grass have different needs when it comes to nutrients. So, you'll have to pay attention to what kind of grass you have because administering the wrong fertilizer can negatively impact your turf. However, your grass will thrive when using the right type of fertilizer because it'll soak up the nutrients it needs. This is why it's best to reach out to a professional to administer fertilizer on your lawn. They have the knowledge and experience to ensure your grass gets the appropriate fertilization treatments!

All fertilizer is labeled with an N-P-K ratio that tells you the percentage of essential nutrients in fertilizers. "N" is for nitrogen, "P" is for phosphorus, and "K" is for potassium.


Not Combining Fertilizer with Weed Control

Fertilized lawn being overtaken by dandelion weeds in Sarasota, FL.

Weeds are a nuisance that will actually get in the way of fertilizer treatments. That's because weeds need the same nutrients and resources that your grass uses to grow stronger. The problem is weeds don't like to share, so they'll end up stealing nutrients from your grass. Fertilizing your lawn without using weed control can negatively impact your turf during the more stressful periods of the year, like in the summer, since your grass won't get the nutrients it needs to stay strong. That's why it's critical to always combine your fertilizer treatments with weed control. Weed control will eliminate the competition for nutrients so your grass can continue to thrive from fertilizer treatments year-round.


Call us today to sign up for our lawn fertilization program.

Instead of going through the hassle of administering fertilizer yourself, why not have us take care of it for you? At Tropical Gardens Landscape, we've developed a robust fertilization program that ensures your grass has everything it needs to thrive. We even adjust the fertilizer we use throughout the year based on your grass type and this program also includes weed control treatments! We service commercial, HOA, and residential properties in the Sarasota, FL area, including nearby areas such as Siesta Key and Longboat Key. Give us a call today at (941) 993-2442 to sign up for our lawn fertilization program, so you don't have to worry about making any mistakes when fertilizing your lawn!