We’ll go out on a limb here and assume you don’t lose too much sleep pondering lawn fertilizer.
No worries. That’s our job.
But if you’re serious about having a thriving, green, healthy lawn, you should probably know a few important things about fertilizing your lawn.
Don’t stress. Here are five important tips to lawn fertilizing.
1. Understand Lawn Fertilizer and pH
Our first lawn fertilizer tip, understand soil pH. No matter how much fertilizer you give your lawn, if your grass doesn’t have the proper, balanced soil pH, it won’t do much good.
Important nutrients for grass are available in soil when the pH is at the right level — not too acidic, not too alkaline.
If your pH is off, your grass won’t get the nutrients it needs, no matter how much you fertilize.
The right pH unlocks your lawn’s ability to take in nutrients and thrive. That's why pH testing your soil is so important. If you are looking for a lawn fertilizer service in Eau Claire, WI or Minneapolis, make sure you choose one that offers pH testing as part of the lawn care plan.
2. Boost Lawn Fertilizer with Soil Conditioner
Another fertilizing tip for you lawn, use a soil conditioner. Lawn fertilizer packs an even bigger punch if you boost it with soil conditioner.
It’s a blend of minerals that boosts the health of your soil. If your soil is clay, soil conditioner loosens it. If it’s sandy, soil conditioner makes it more robust.
Soil conditioner builds organic matter, so your soil holds more nutrients. Think of it as a multivitamin for your lawn.
It unlocks the potential of your lawn, creating better results from the fertilizer and other treatments your lawn care company performs throughout the year.
Who wouldn’t want to get more out of what you’re already paying for?
If you are looking for lawn care services in Minneapolis or Eau Claire, WI, Rainmaster offers this in our top-tier program or as an add-on service if you choose one of our other lawn care program options.
3. Go for Granular Lawn Fertilizer
When it comes to lawn fertilization, always opt for granular lawn fertilizer, which is more expensive than the more common liquid stuff, but it breaks down slowly, giving you consistent benefits from fertilization. 
It also contains organic nutrients, which give your lawn that beautiful, deep green color.
RainMaster uses premium professional-grade formulations of granular fertilizer. Not every lawn fertilizer service in Eau Claire does.
4. Lawn Fertilizer Tip: The Numbers Can Get Confusing
When you’re standing in the lawn care aisle on a Saturday in your sweatpants with your dog in the car, you don’t need a math problem, right?
You just want to fertilize your lawn.
But it kind of feels like one, as you stare at the combinations of numbers on the lawn fertilizer bags.
Many people ask, what are the three numbers on lawn fertilizer? All lawn fertilizer labels have three numbers that designate the combination of ingredients. The first number is the amount of nitrogen, the second number is the amount of phosphate and the third number is the amount of potash.
A bag of fertilizer might say 10-10-10. Or 24 -8-16.
Ugh. Which one? Does it really matter?
It does. We won’t bore you with all the science, but different fertilizer formulas treat different lawn needs.
Then, more numbers. How many bags do you need?
How do you calibrate your spreader so you know you’re applying it at the right rate?
Too much fertilizer is actually a thing. Apply too much, and the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil increase, which can damage or kill your grass. It’s called fertilizer burn.
We’re not saying it’s impossible to figure this all out. But is it really how you want to spend your weekend?
We actually love this stuff. If you are in Eau Claire or Minneapolis, leave it to us.
5. Guess What? It’s Not All About Fertilizing Your Lawn
Some people think it’s all about fertilizer, and that alone will do the trick.
Nope.
Your lawn might be compacted and need aeration. Your soil pH might be off, which means your lawn can’t absorb the nutrients it needs until it’s back in balance.
Weeds, pests, or diseases might be taking over.
Your own lawn care habits play a big part, too, including proper mowing and watering.
Sure, lawn fertilizer is important, but it’s just one piece of a comprehensive lawn care plan to help your lawn thrive.
That’s why our lawn care programs also:
- Get rid of weeds and crabgrass
- Protect your lawn from insects and grubs
- Aerate the lawn to improve your soil
- Overseed your lawn to fill in thin areas
- Apply materials to correct soil pH issues
Need More Lawn Fertilizer Tips? Ask RainMaster
Here at RainMaster, we take lawn fertilizing very seriously.
That’s why you’ll see that organic-based, granular fertilizer tops the list of all three of our lawn care programs.
We’re also serious about all the elements that bring out the best in fertilizer, from soil conditioner to proper pH levels.
Don’t waste your Saturday being frazzled in the fertilizer aisle. Let us make it easy.
Ready to treat your lawn to the best lawn fertilizer service, with no worries about the complicated parts? Request a quote today! We’ll review your lawn care options together so you can make a great choice. Then, you can finally enjoy your lawn and stop worrying about it.
Image Source: pH Scale
