Posted On:
Category: Category:
Different Grass Types and Lawn Fertilization and How Professionals Can Ensure Grass is Treated at the Right Time and the Right Way
Different Grass Types and Lawn Fertilization and How Professionals Can Ensure Grass is Treated at the Right Time and the Right Way
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. March 22, 2020
Alternative EarthCare has been providing quality residential and commercial Lawn Fertilizing services across Long Island, New York since 1996.
Not all grass is the same. There are over 12,000 grass species, making the grass family one of the most diverse plant families in the world. While local grass won’t consist of anywhere near that amount of different grass types, there could be a variety of local grasses within any lawn. Different types of grass respond differently to fertilization treatments. Utilizing a professional service to handle fertilization is recommended to provide the best treatment for specific grass types and blends. Alternative EarthCare discusses grass types and lawn fertilization, and how professionals can ensure grass is treated at the right time in the right way.
Cool season grasses have their best growth periods in the spring and fall when the temperatures are a bit cool. Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye-grass, fineleaf and tall fescue, are common to the Northeast region. Lawns may be comprised of one or two variety, but often may consist of a mixture of several grass varieties.
Kentucky bluegrass requires regular watering and will go into a dormant state during times of drought. This variety also requires consistent fertilization and should be addressed at least three to four times over the course of a year, starting in spring and ending in fall. Perennial rye-grass cross-pollinates easily with annual rye-grass, resulting in a variety of hybrid grasses. Whether pure perennial rye-grass or a hybrid, fertilization should start in the early spring. Rye-grass is highly adaptable to a variety of soil types, but will do best in dark rich soils, requires consistent water irrigation, and is finicky in standing water or when not at a pH balance that ranges from slightly acidic to neutral. Fescue grass does the majority of it’s growing between September and June, making it essential to fertilize in early spring as well as the fall and winter for the best results. Fertilizers should be applied approximately three to four times between September and May. Fescue may require fertilizers that contain water-soluble iron if the grass turns yellow in the summer.
A professional can verify the types of grass in a lawn to ensure that fertilization takes place at optimum times and that specific nutrient needs are met. This will help to ensure a healthier and more vibrant lawn, will result in less dry and thinned out patches, will minimize disease and insect infestation, and will also help to improve soil quality. Cool season grass fertilization should begin right after dormancy with a slow release fertilizer. A pre-emergent may be used as well is crabgrass is an issue.
