By Darrell Blackwelder
For the Salisbury Post
Fertilization is a very important part of maintaining a beautiful lawn. Fescue is the predominant cool season grass that grows best in fall and into the winter months. September is the time to initiate the fertilization program for fescue and fescue/bluegrass lawns.
Turf-type fertilizers with slow release fertilizers are excellent for constant feeding over the fall and winter months. Turf fertilizers are generally premeasured in 5,000- and 10,000-square-footage bags. Premium fertilizers may seem more expensive from the initial cost, but a cost comparison with grade fertilizers prove that the turf fertilizers are actually about the same price. These fertilizers are sold in a 4-1-2 ratio such as 16-4-8 or 21-3-6.
A starter fertilizer contains higher than normal percentages of phosphorus. Newly seeded fescue root system lawns benefit from higher than normal phosphorus in starter fertilizers.
If you choose to use a grade fertilizer, you need to calibrate your application. Fescue lawns grow best with two pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in the fall and one pound of actual nitrogen in the spring. Each bag will be labeled with the percent of nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), on the side or front of the bag. For example, a 50-pound bag of 10-10-10 contains 10 percent actual nitrogen or about five pounds of nitrogen. Grade fertilizers such as 10-10-10 or 17-17-17 quickly release nutrients with rapid growth occurring soon after fertilization. Grade fertilizers often contain no slow release fertilizers and are consumed rapidly by quick-growing turf. Because rapid turf growth is short lived, it’s best to split applications and apply only a portion at a time.
Those who choose to use grade fertilizers should apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. The calculation is simple: Divide the first number on the fertilizer bag by 100 to determine the amount of product to be used per 1,000 square feet. Example: Using a 10-10-10 fertilizer, 100 divided by 10 equals 10, therefore, 10 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet will deliver 1 pound of nitrogen.
It’s best to split fertilizer applications in September, October and November for constant feeding and even growth. A good way to remember when to fertilize your lawn are the fall holidays: Labor Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Many homeowners and professionals use a combination of slow-release and grade fertilizers for extra growth or quick starts. In this instance, fertilization now becomes more of an art than a science.
Darrell Blackwelder is the county extension director with horticulture responsibilities with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. 704-216-8970
www.rowanmastergardener.com
rowan.ces.ncsu.edu
www.rowanextension.com