Fertilize Lawns Before the Heat

At 18-3-5, Viragrow's lawn fertilizer is light in phosphorus (the number '3') which is important for established lawns. This is not a fertilizer for starting a lawn. It is formulated for established turfgrass.

Established lawns, both fescue and bermudagrass, need a high nitrogen fertilizer to darken it and push new growth in the spring. This helps turgrass in spring recovery from the winter months. Very little phosphorus is needed at this stage of a lawn's development. Adding too much phosphorus to lawns create problems. This fertilizer also contains iron for a darker green color.

Split applications are better. It is best to divide lawn fertilizer applications into more frequent applications using less fertilizer at each application.

Mowing is good. Growing and mowing helps to control lawn diseases. Leaf growth is from the bottom up. They youngest and healthiest part of the leaf blade is closest to the soil. The oldest part of the leaf blade is on the top of the blade. When mowing, the older leaf tissue (leaf surfaces in contact with
disease organisms) is removed. Fertilizing regularly helps push new growth and reduce disease problems. Mow fescue no shorter than 1 1/2 inch. As summer temperatures climb, it is best to raise your mowing height to 2 1/2 inch for a deeper root system and more tolerance to heat and drought. Bermudagrass mowing height depends on the cultivar but can range up to 1 inch in height.