Avoiding Fertilizer burn on your lawn

Fertilizer burn appears when fertilizer is spread unevenly or in excessive amounts needed across the lawn. It is the browning and possible killing of plants that have been exposed to excessive nitrogen. It is easy to spot because it appears across the lawn in white or brown streaks typically in the pattern fertilizer was applied. Fertilizer burn can become an unsightly problem that lawn lovers will despise.

Taking care to avoid fertilizer burn on your lawn is a relatively easy process. In general you will want to make sure you are applying the fertilizer uniformly across your lawn. Using a fertilizer spreader is the best way to achieve this. Cyclone spreaders are generally the best type of spreader and are the most popular. This will ensure that your lawn is receiving the proper amount of nitrogen that it needs to be healthy. If large amounts of fertilizer are applied in streaks, the result is a fertilizer burn that appears as a large brown streak across your green lawn. Also you want to be sure to avoid fertilizing while the lawn is wet. After you apply the fertilizer, you will want water you lawn well. If you do notice fertilizer burn on your lawn in spots or streaks it is best to water your lawn well and wait for re-growth. It should not take long for the grass to grow back. In very serious fertilizer burn incidences you may have to re-sod.

Every type of turf will have different rates and frequency requirements of fertilizer to maintain a healthy lawn. Be sure to follow what is recommended for your type of lawn. In general lawns should be fertilized four times a year. Time-release fertilizers are less prone to burn your lawn. They also last longer and this means there will be fewer applications. To avoid fertilizer burn on your lawn, no more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. should be applied each time. Shaded areas of lawn require less nitrogen. You may need to only use half of the amount of nitrogen that you have used for the areas of your lawn that are in the sunlight. These tips should help you avoid the problem of fertilizer burn.

About the Author:
Catie Bourki\'s hobbie is gardening and run the web site http://www.lawn-care-1st.com