Don't Bother Fertilizing Your Lawn Twice a Year

Consumer Reports

Fertilizing your yard too often can do more harm than good.

Mary H.J. Farrell is a writer.

A lush lawn can make your home look better. How do you maintain a healthy yard year-round?

The answer is urea.

Fertilizing provides the nitrogen that grass needs to grow. A well-kept yard and one that looks worse for wear can be different depending on how frequently you fertilize.

Grass is brown and patchy because of overfertilizing. Underfertilizing can make grass less resistant to pests. Don't apply the rules of thumb to every lawn, since weather conditions and grass cycles can vary depending on where you live.

When the grass is growing more roots than blades is the best time to apply thefertilizer. In the Northeast and Northwest, that happens in the fall. It is in the late spring in the South and Southwest. Don't even think about it until Labor Day. If you only fertilize once a year, use fall fertilization in September. Slow-release nitrogen, which promotes growth in the spring, is contained in most high-quality fertilizers.

The amount of time you mow is also a factor. You should let the grass grow to 4 inches and then cut it to 3 or 3 1/2 inches. Tall grass makes your lawn harder and more resistant.

If you leave the clippings behind, you can add more nitrogen by using the mulch setting on your mower. This reduces the amount of water in the air.

Don't overwater your lawn. A lawn needs no more than 1 inch of water a week. If you want to promote deep roots, give your lawn one long soak each week. A light daily watering encourages root systems that are too shallow, promotes weed growth, and leaves grass susceptible to disease and insect damage.

When the grass calls for it, listen to your lawn and apply fertilization.

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