The Benefits of Fertilizing Your Lawn and Yard Regularly

Sarah Fitzgerald on 2023-04-22

The Benefits of Fertilizing Your Lawn and Yard Regularly

Maintaining a lush, green lawn can be quite a challenge. There are a variety of factors that can affect the health and appearance of your grass, and some of the most important come with the benefits of fertilizing your lawn and yard. Regular fertilization can provide a range of benefits to your lawn, including improved health and appearance, increased disease resistance, and reduced weeds.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

TruGreen is America’s #1 lawn company. TruGreen provides tailored solutions and a team of professionally trained experts to provide homeowners with a healthier, greener lawn. From basic weed control and fertilization to total yard care, TruGreen has a plan for every lawn.

1. Keeps Your Yard Healthy and Beautiful

Fertilizer provides your grass with the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green. Without these nutrients, your grass may become weak, stunted, and discolored. Regular fertilization helps ensure your grass has the nutrients it needs to stay strong and look its best.

2. Improves your Yard’s Ability to Resist Disease

Fertilizer can also help your lawn become more resistant to disease. Another one of the benefits of fertilizing your lawn is that it can help protect it from a variety of diseases, including brown patch, Pythium blight, dollar spot, leaf spot, and others by improving your lawn’s overall health. Healthy grass is better able to withstand disease and pests, which can be a major problem for lawns that are not properly fertilized.

3. Reduces Weeds

Fertilizer can also help reduce the number of weeds in your lawn. Fertilizer helps your lawn to grow thick and healthy, which in turn helps to prevent weeds from taking over. Fertilizer provides essential nutrients to the grass and helps it to grow stronger and more vigorously. As the grass becomes thicker and more lush, it’s able to compete with weeds for resources like sunlight and water, making it more difficult for the weeds to spread and take over your lawn. Weeds are often an indication of soil that is low in nutrients, and another one of the benefits of fertilizing your lawn is that it will help make it less hospitable to weed growth.

Fertilizer Options

Organic Fertilizers: Organic fertilizers are made from naturally-derived materials such as compost, manure, bone meal, and seaweed extract. They provide a slow release of nutrients over time, and are generally safer for the environment than synthetic fertilizers.
Synthetic Fertilizers: Synthetic fertilizers provide an immediate boost of nutrients, but can be hazardous for the environment if used in excess.
Compost: Compost is an organic material made from decomposed organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, food scraps, and other yard waste. It can be used to supplement a fertilizer program, or used as a stand-alone solution.
Liquid Fertilizers: Liquid fertilizers are easy to apply, and can be used as a supplement to other fertilizers or as a stand-alone solution.
Soil Amendments: Soil amendments can be used to improve soil structure and fertility. Common amendments include compost, manure, lime, and gypsum.

Working with a Lawn Care Company to Fertilize Your Yard

Because of the potential difficulty in determining the proper application rates and timing and lack of expertise in identifying lawn problems, working with a professional lawn care service can protect your yard and save you time and energy.

A lawn care specialist can analyze your soil and determine the best type of fertilizer to use and will have the knowledge of proper application rates and timing to maximize the benefits. In addition, professional lawn care service providers have access to a variety of fertilizers, including organic and synthetic options.

A professional company like TruGreen offers full service lawn care including fertilization and soil amendment to give you the lawn and yard of your dreams.

Overall, the benefits of fertilizing your lawn will keep it healthy and looking its best. If you’re looking to achieve a lush, green lawn, regular fertilization should be part of your regular maintenance routine.

Find lawn care experts near you.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

More resources

Lawn Care

The Benefits of Fertilizing Your Lawn and Yard Regularly

Maintaining a lush, green lawn can be quite a challenge. There are a variety of factors that can affect the health and appearance of your

Lawn Care

7 Benefits of Lawn Aeration

If you’re a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best. Aeration is a key part of

Lawn Care

Why April is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn

Spring is here and while April showers will bring May flowers, there are some actions you can take to help your yard bloom this year. Lawn

7 Benefits of Lawn Aeration

Sarah Fitzgerald on 2023-04-20

7 Benefits of Lawn Aeration

If you’re a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best. Aeration is a key part of lawn care, and it can provide a variety of benefits for your lawn. Aeration is usually done in the spring or fall, when grass is actively growing.

Aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, which helps to reduce soil compaction. When the soil is compacted, the roots of your grass can’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need, and the grass can become unhealthy and weak. Aeration helps to loosen the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more easily.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

The Lawn Aeration Process:

If you are planning to DIY lawn aeration, follow these steps for success:

Prepare the area: Clear away any debris, stones, and sticks.
Mark the area: Mark the lawn with a pattern that you plan to aerate.
Set up the aerator: Place the aerator on the marked area and adjust the settings according to the type of soil.
Aerate the lawn: Push the aerator across the lawn until the whole area is aerated.
Add fertilizer: Apply the appropriate fertilizer to the areas that were aerated.
Water the lawn: Water the lawn thoroughly to help the fertilizer absorb into the soil.

After aerating, it’s important to dethatch the lawn as well. Dethatching will help remove any remaining clumps of soil and grass that the aerator may have missed. Additionally, watering and mowing the lawn regularly will help ensure that the grass stays healthy and lush.

If the process sounds overwhelming or time-consuming, consider hiring a local lawn care specialist to aerate, dethatch, fertilize, and over-seed your yard to have the healthiest and greenest lawn.

7 Benefits of Lawn Aeration

1. Improved soil structure

Aeration helps to break apart compacted soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more deeply into the root zone. This helps to create a stronger, healthier root system and improve the overall health of the lawn.

2. Improved nutrient uptake

Aeration helps to break up thatch layers that can block the uptake of nutrients by the grass. This helps the grass to absorb more of the fertilizer it needs to remain healthy and strong.

3. Improved water absorption

Aeration helps to loosen the soil and create pathways for water to flow through. This helps the water to penetrate deeper into the root zone, providing better hydration for the lawn.

4. Reduced water runoff

Aeration helps to reduce water runoff from the lawn, which can lead to soil erosion and other problems. By improving the soil structure, water is better absorbed and retained in the root zone.

5. Deeper Root Growth

Aeration helps to promote deeper root growth, which makes your lawn better able to withstand drought, extreme temperatures, and other conditions. Deeper roots also help your lawn to absorb nutrients more efficiently, making it healthier and stronger.

6. Reduces Thatch

Aeration also helps to reduce thatch, which is a layer of dead grass, stems, and roots that builds up between the soil and the green grass. If the thatch layer gets too thick, it can prevent water and nutrients from getting to the roots of your grass, leading to weak and unhealthy growth. Aeration helps to break up the thatch so that your grass can get the nutrients and water it needs to thrive.

7. Reduced pests and diseases

Aeration can reduce pests and diseases by improving the overall health of the lawn. Healthy grass is more resistant to pests and diseases, which can help to reduce the need for chemical treatments.

Find lawn care experts near you.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

More resources

Lawn Care

5 Common Mistakes When Fertilizing

Having a lush, green lawn is a sign of pride for many homeowners. However, if you don’t fertilize your lawn properly, you may find yourself

Why April is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn

Sarah Fitzgerald on 2023-04-18

Why April is the Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn

Spring is here and while April showers will bring May flowers, there are some actions you can take to help your yard bloom this year. Lawn aeration, done by a professional lawn care company or yourself is one of the first steps to prepping your lawn in the springtime. Lawn aeration helps with spring yard prep by improving the overall health of the lawn. While it depends on your local climate and weather, generally speaking April is the best time to aerate your lawn. Aerating in the spring gives your grass a breath of fresh air, allowing it to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

What is Lawn Aeration?

Lawn aeration is a process that involves using a machine to puncture small holes in your lawn. This helps to loosen compacted soil, reduce thatch build-up, and improve drainage so that the roots of your grass can get more air, water, and nutrients, resulting in a healthier and more resilient lawn.

What are the benefits of aerating your lawn?

Improved Soil Structure:
Aeration helps break up compacted soil, allowing oxygen, water, and other essential nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil and reach the roots of your lawn.

Improved Root Growth:
Aeration helps stimulate new root growth, allowing your lawn to better absorb water and nutrients to stay healthy and green.

Improved Drainage:
Aeration improves the drainage of your lawn, so water can move more easily through the soil and prevent waterlogging during the rainy season. Another reason why April is the best time to aerate your lawn.

Enhanced Nutrient Uptake:
Aeration helps break up soil particles, allowing fertilizer, herbicides, and other nutrient sources to be more readily absorbed by the roots of your lawn.

Improved Appearance:
Aeration helps your grass stand upright, creating a thicker, lusher lawn.

How can I have my lawn aerated?

You can have your lawn aerated by hiring a lawn care professional or renting a lawn aerator from a local hardware store. Some lawn care professionals offer lawn aeration services as part of their routine maintenance packages. It is generally recommended to work with a professional for lawn aeration, as the machine and process can be difficult to use if you’re not experienced, and they’ll help you determine exactly when the best time to aerate your lawn would be. Additionally, most professionals will have access to a machine that can penetrate deeper into your lawn, which will provide better results. If you choose to rent a lawn aerator, make sure you read the instructions carefully and follow all safety precautions.

The Benefits of Professional Aeration

While DIY is an option, to save time and frustration, we recommend working with a professional lawn care company such as TruGreen to have your lawn aerated, here’s why:

Professional lawn care companies have the right tools and equipment to do the job correctly and efficiently.
Professionals have the experience and knowledge to identify and treat any underlying issues that may be causing your lawn to be unhealthy or overgrown.
Professional lawn care companies can provide additional services such as overseeding, dethatching, fertilizing, weed control, and disease control.
Aeration is a very important part of lawn care, and having it done correctly can result in a healthier, more attractive lawn.
Professional lawn care companies can save you time and money in the long run, as they are more efficient and effective at aerating than doing it yourself.
Professional lawn care companies like TruGreen offer additional services during the aeration process including dethatching and overseeding to improve the health of your yard and achieve a thicker and greener lawn. But, if you want to accomplish this be sure to get on their schedule in order to do it during the best time to aerate your lawn.

Some considerations before aerating your lawn:

If your lawn is newly sodded, wait at least 6 months before aerating.
If your soil is already well-drained, aerating may not be necessary. Getting a lawn assessment from a professional lawn care company can help determine if aeration is needed.
Over-aerating can damage your lawn, so make sure you are following the manufacturer’s instructions and only aerating when needed.

Post-Aeration Lawn Care:

After aerating your lawn, it is important to fertilize and water it. This will help the soil absorb the fertilizer and water more easily, and it will also help the grass to grow. You may also want to consider overseeding your lawn to help thicken and green up the grass. Finally, make sure to mow your lawn regularly and to keep it well-watered.

With the right preparation and care, your lawn can be the envy of your neighborhood this spring. By aerating your lawn in April, you can help ensure your lawn is properly prepped and ready to bloom. Professional lawn care services can help with this process, but if you wish to do it yourself, make sure to do your research and prepare for the job. Remember, a healthy and beautiful lawn is within your reach and a great start to any spring season.

Find lawn care experts near you.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

More resources

5 Common Mistakes When Fertilizing

Sarah Fitzgerald on 2023-04-16

5 Common Mistakes When Fertilizing

Having a lush, green lawn is a sign of pride for many homeowners. However, if you don’t fertilize your lawn properly, you may find yourself dealing with damage, weeds, and other issues. We’re sharing five of the most common mistakes homeowner’s make when it comes to fertilizing their lawn and tips for avoiding them. With the right approach, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Fall in love with your lawn again with the help of our recommended professional lawn care services.

1. Applying too much fertilizer

Applying too much fertilizer to a lawn can damage the grass and even kill it. Too much fertilizer can cause the grass to burn, turn yellow, and become weak and thin. Excessive fertilizer can also cause the grass to become more susceptible to disease and pests. It’s important to use the right amount of fertilizer for your lawn and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging your lawn with fertilizer.

2. Not testing your soil

Testing your soil is an important step in determining what type of fertilizer should be used on your lawn. Without testing your soil, you are likely to apply too much of the wrong type of fertilizer, which can damage your lawn. Applying the wrong type of fertilizer can also lead to nutrient deficiencies in your lawn, resulting in poor growth and a less healthy lawn overall.

3. Not using the right type of fertilizer

Not using the right type of fertilizer can lead to over-fertilization, which can burn and damage your lawn. Different types of fertilizer are designed to provide different nutrients. Over-fertilization can also lead to an increase in weeds and an imbalance in the soil’s nutrient levels, causing further damage to your lawn.

4. Not timing the application properly

Different types of fertilizer have different application times. Timing the application of fertilizer improperly can lead to the fertilizer being wasted, as it may not be absorbed by the soil or taken up by the grass. It can also lead to an uneven distribution of the fertilizer, resulting in patches of over-fertilized and under-fertilized lawns.

5. Not watering the lawn properly

Fertilizer needs to be applied to a moist lawn and then watered in thoroughly. Not doing this can lead to fertilizer runoff and other problems. Fertilizers should be applied when the soil is moist, not dry, so that the fertilizer can be absorbed into the soil and be properly utilized by the plants. Too little water can cause the fertilizer to accumulate and burn the grass, while too much water can wash away the fertilizer before it has a chance to provide any benefit.

Avoid making these common mistake when fertilizing by:

Testing your soil regularly to determine the type and amount of fertilizer needed for your lawn.
Following the instructions on the fertilizer package for application rates and timing.
Using a slow-release fertilizer to reduce the risk of over-application.
Watering your lawn before and after applying fertilizer to ensure the nutrients are properly absorbed.
Avoiding fertilizer applications during periods of extreme heat or cold.

Fertilizing your lawn can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of knowledge and care, you can ensure your lawn is looking its best. Avoiding the common mistakes can help you achieve the lush, green lawn you desire. With the right fertilizing techniques, you can make sure your lawn is in tip-top shape.

Find lawn care experts near you.