- How Can Fertilizer Kill Grass<\/a><\/li>
- Does New Grass Need Fertilizer?<\/a><\/li>
- Apply the Right Fertilizer for New Grass<\/a><\/li>
- How to Apply Fertilizer for New Grass<\/a><\/li>
- When and How Often Can You Fertilize a New Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Maintaining Your New Lawn to Limit Fertilizer Use<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ <\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
How Can Fertilizer Kill Grass<\/h2>
There are two ways you can kill grass with fertilizer: applying too much and using the wrong kind.<\/p>
Applying Too Much Fertilizer<\/h3>
There are many little gestures during the fertilization process that can lead to you spreading more fertilizer on your lawn than you should. This is damaging because of the salts commercial lawn fertilizers contain. When these salts gather in the soil, they change water behavior in a way that harms grass seeds and plants:<\/p>
- If fertilizer salts gather around grass seed in large amounts, they prevent moisture from reaching the seed. Deprived of water, the seed dehydrates and doesn\u2019t germinate. This is how you get bare spots in a new lawn.<\/li>
- Salts surrounding the roots of germinated grass plants prevent roots from absorbing water and new sprouts dry out and die. We call this \u201cfertilizer burn<\/a>\u201d or \u201cnitrogen burn\u201d because nitrogen is the highest amount in most NPK fertilizers. <\/li> <\/ul>
Since its roots are barely developed and struggling to absorb water and nutrients, new grass is even more susceptible to fertilizer burn than established turf.<\/p>
What does grass killed by fertilizers look like?<\/strong> Fertilizer burn signs are similar to drought stress:<\/p>
- Discolored grass blades<\/li>
- Bare spots where new grass should be<\/li>
- Patches of yellow or brown grass that look like scorch marks<\/li>
- Grass is crispy or crunchy to the touch<\/li>
- Checkerboard-like shapes, with burned areas in the middle of each square may appear as a result of fertilizer overlap<\/li> <\/ul>
Overfertilization also harms the grass long term. When too much nitrogen is applied early in the growth process, grass focuses more on growing leaves than developing roots. The new turfgrass grows weak and thin, vulnerable to drought, weeds, pests, and diseases. <\/p>
Applying Weed and Feed<\/h3>
Another way to kill new grass with fertilizer is to use a weed and feed formula<\/a>. Weed and feed are 2-in-1 products that deliver nutrients and herbicides in the same application. If the herbicide is pre-emergent<\/a>, it prevents the grass seed from forming its first roots, and the seeds will fail to sprout. <\/p>
Some weed and feed products include selective post-emergent herbicides<\/a> meant to kill only the weeds and not the grass. While grass in established lawns is relatively safe from selective herbicides, new grass is not no matter if seeded or installed as sod. <\/p>
The bottom line? Don\u2019t use weed and feed instead of starter fertilizer or you\u2019ll end up with a patchy lawn.<\/p>
Note: <\/strong>Hold off on any herbicide treatments on a newly seeded lawn for six to eight weeks after planting. If you already spread a herbicide, check the product package for how long you need to wait until you can seed or install sod.<\/p>
Does New Grass Need Fertilizer?<\/h2>
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Photo Credit: Bochkarev Photography<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Grass seeds only need warmth and water to germinate. Each plant has enough nutrients in its seed to grow the first roots and leaves. But soon after germination, sprinklings extend their newly formed root system into the soil, searching for food. <\/p>
Right after sprouting, their small roots have a hard time probing the ground and are limited to a small area around the grass plant for feeding. Here\u2019s where fertilizers come in. Applying fertilizer right before or after seeding the lawn ensures the presence of precious nutrients close to turf roots, easy to absorb and use.<\/p>
Can new turf grow without fertilizer?<\/strong> Sure, but not as well as with the additional food you provide. Without a proper fertilizer to boost growth, new grass grows thinner, slower, and weaker, and is more prone to diseases and pests.<\/p>
Apply the Right Fertilizer for New Grass<\/h2>
Lawn fertilizers provide a mix of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in various ratios. Each of these essential macronutrients plays an important role in grass development:<\/p>
- Nitrogen (N) <\/strong>primarily supports stem and leaf growth. It gives grass its intense green color and impacts growth speed. <\/li>
- Phosphorus (P)<\/strong> is essential for root growth and disease resistance. It helps new shoots develop proper roots and also can help grass affected by a root pest or disease recover faster. <\/li>
- Potassium or potash (K)<\/strong> protects the overall plant health, supports the plant’s metabolic functions, and makes turf more resistant to diseases (see “What Does Potassium Do for Your Lawn?<\/a>\u201d).<\/li> <\/ul>
Turf fertilizers come with various NPK ratios, but it\u2019s the phosphorus content that divides them in two general categories: starter fertilizers for new grass and regular fertilizers for established lawns.<\/p>
Starter Fertilizer vs. Regular Fertilizer<\/h3>
New lawns have different nutrient requirements than established lawns. The best fertilizer to use for a new lawn is a starter fertilizer. Starter fertilizers have a higher amount of phosphorus essential for root development in young plants and a more balanced NPK ratio<\/strong>.<\/p>
The best lawn fertilizer ratios for new grass are:<\/p>
- 10-10-10: 10 parts nitrogen, 10 parts phosphorus, and 10 parts potassium<\/li>
- 16-8-8: 16 parts nitrogen, 8 parts phosphorus, and 8 parts potassium<\/li>
- 20-10-10: 20 parts nitrogen, 10 parts phosphorus, and 10 parts potassium<\/li> <\/ul>
Here are some good starter fertilizers to consider:<\/p>
- GreenView 2129800 Starter Fertilizer <\/a><\/li>
- Covington Liquid 10-10-10 Fertilizer for Lawns, Plants, Vegetables, All Purpose Fertilizer <\/a><\/li>
- Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer for New Grass<\/a><\/li>
- Jonathan Green & Sons Seeding & Sodding Lawn Fertilizer<\/a><\/li>
- Pennington UltraGreen Starter Lawn Fertilizer<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Will regular fertilizer kill new grass? <\/strong>If applied correctly, regular fertilizer won\u2019t kill your newly sprouted lawn, but it won\u2019t be very helpful either. <\/p>
Regular fertilizers have little to no phosphorus and high amounts of nitrogen. This type of fertilizer will force young grass plants to grow leaves faster at the expense of their roots. Shallow roots can\u2019t support intense foliage growth making your turf highly vulnerable to drought, heat, diseases, and all types of stress.<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Some states and cities limit the use of fertilizers<\/a>, especially those containing phosphorus, a water and soil pollutant. Before shopping for fertilizers, check if your city\u2019s fertilizer use regulations.<\/p>
Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer<\/h3>
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Liquid Fertilizer<\/em>
Photo Credit: The Toidi<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>Starter fertilizers are sold in liquid and solid (granules, pellets) form. Most experts recommend liquid fertilizer at this stage because it makes phosphorus more easily available to the grassroots. However, granular fertilizer is more popular because it\u2019s less expensive. Here\u2019s a comparison between the liquid and granular fertilizers<\/a> to help you decide.<\/p>
- Covington Liquid 10-10-10 Fertilizer for Lawns, Plants, Vegetables, All Purpose Fertilizer <\/a><\/li>
- GreenView 2129800 Starter Fertilizer <\/a><\/li>
- Phosphorus (P)<\/strong> is essential for root growth and disease resistance. It helps new shoots develop proper roots and also can help grass affected by a root pest or disease recover faster. <\/li>
- Nitrogen (N) <\/strong>primarily supports stem and leaf growth. It gives grass its intense green color and impacts growth speed. <\/li>
- Does New Grass Need Fertilizer?<\/a><\/li>
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