Lawns Nature’s Way
Using grass clippings as a source of fertilizer on lawns can save time and money, as well as help to protect the environment. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can generate as much as 25 percent of a lawn’s yearly fertilizer needs, and reduce the time and money spent bagging clippings. Lawns stay greener and healthier when clippings are left on them.
Mowing regularly allows clippings to quickly decompose and release nutrients to fertilize the grass. Mulching mowers tend to cut grass into finer pieces, allowing it to filter down among the standing grass plants. It’s best to mow when the lawn is dry. Mow regularly with a sharp blade on the mower. Do not remove more than a third of the growth at one time. Sometimes, prolonged rains make it impossible to mow regularly. In these cases, raise the mower for the initial cutting and gradually lower the mower to its proper height on subsequent cuttings. If the grass is excessively tall, and clipped grass is too great an amount to leave on the lawn, clippings can be used to mulch trees and shrub beds.
The best time to water a lawn is early morning. Lawns on heavy soils need one inch when irrigating. Compacted soils may take several short periods of irrigation to allow water to be absorbed. Don’t water fescue, bluegrass or ryegrass unless you plan to continue to do so all summer. Many of these types of lawns are lost by discontinuing irrigation in midsummer. Be consistent with the watering routine. Do not water until you see the first signs of wilt. Wilted lawns have a blue-green appearance, leaf curl or footprints that remain on turf.
To determine how much fertilizer is needed, have your soil tested. Check fertilizer instructions but in any case, never apply more than one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of grass. Wait until fall to fertilize fescue. Apply fertilizer when grass is dry. This prevents foliage from being burned, and allows fertilizer to fall around plants where it can be watered in.