Hello again, fertilizing is a very important step in caring for your yard. However, when it comes to choosing the right fertilizer, well that maybe a little confusing. So, let’s try to make the whole process simpler.
The first thing to understand is why you need fertilizer at all. Well, I will tell you why. Because fertilizing your lawn helps to build a dense turf. And dense turf crowds out most weeds and I’d say those are good reasons to fertilize. Just to make sure you read the labels to get the right blend for the season. And don’t overlook organic fertilizers which work just as well.
Another consideration is the fertilizer numbering system. Each bag of fertilizer has a number on the bag, here like this one. The first number represents nitrogen, which makes things green and causes them to grow above ground. The middle number is phosphorus, which is very important for root development. The third number is for potassium, this is important for drought and disease resistance.
One easy way to remember this is the first number means up, for the second number think down and for the third number, think all around. Now, that you know what’s on the bag, here are a couple of examples. General all purpose fertilizer will have the numbers 10-10-10 on the bag. A starter fertilizer will have numbers like 20-27-5.
Now, there are different fertilizer for different areas of your yard like the lawn, shrubs, trees, flowers and veggies. So, please read the back of your bag for the appropriate fertilizer for your project. If you have any questions, please ask a Home Depot store associate.
Now, the best time to apply fertilizer may vary depending on your geographic location. But many experts recommend feeding in late spring and summer and then again in early fall and late fall. But you may have to research to find out the best time for your area.
Once you’ve purchased your fertilizer, you’ll probably wonder how to apply it. Again, I want to make this as simple as possible. When spreading the fertilizer, avoid just throwing it by hand. If your lawn doesn’t receive a good and even distribution of fertilizer, it could burn your lawn. We recommend using a spreader.
There are three types of spreaders, the handheld crank, the drop spreader, and the broadcast spreader. The handheld crank is good for ornamental beds which will help you spread the application into tight spots. The drop spreader covers wide areas and it’s great for small lawns. And the broadcast spreader holds large quantities of fertilizer to help you do more in less time.
After you apply the fertilizer, remember to swip off the excess that’s gotten onto the sidewalk and driveway. This keeps fertilizer from getting into your water system or staining your sidewalk or driveway. Very few people have perfect lawns but by carefully combining fertilization and weed removal treatments, even a novice can see a lot of improvement over time.
For even more tips on fertilizing, check out the Home Depot Garden Club at homedepot.com. There, you’ll find expert advice, exclusive savings, timely regional tips and a community of gardeners. So, what are you waiting for, get a move on to get more out of the ground than put into it. That’s all for now, thanks for joining us, we’ll see you soon.
More saving, more doing, that’s the power of the Home Depot.
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