Tall fescue or Kentucky blue grass lawns have a great response to fall fertilization. If a homeowner could only fertilize once a year, now is the time, with preference to quick-release fertilizer.
As these grasses enter their fall growth cycle, with shorter days and cool nights. Cool-season grasses naturally thicken up in the fall by forming new shoots at the base of existing plants. This is called tillering. Bluegrass spreads by underground stems called rhizomes. Consequently, September is the most important time to fertilize these grasses.
Apply 1 to 1.5 lbs. of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Most lawn fertilizer bags usually result in about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
For homeowners that crave a lush green lawn in the spring. A second application of fertilizer will help the grass green up earlier next spring, and will provide all of the nutrients till summer. November applications should also be quick-release applied at the rate of 1 lb. per 1,000 square feet.
Not sure how many square feet your lawn is? Check out www.measuremylawn.com to calculate! The website gives you an easy tutorial to follow before you get started.
