Nurture Your Turf with a Thoughtful Fertilizer Schedule

Now that Winter has been whisked away by an early Spring, we can focus on getting back outdoors, when the sun begins to warm the earth again and the garden just soaks it all up. 

Gardening enthusiasts get excited and everyone thinks mostly about flowers, foliage and palms, but don’t forget to take care of your grass too. Do you even know what kind of grass you have in your yard? Some do and some do not. Centipede and St. Augustine are the most dominant varieties, but there is also Zoysia. One of the most popular kinds of Zoysia is Empire, and widely used in Florida because it is well suited for high heat and humidity. With its dark blue-green cast that is lush and vibrant, it works well in the coastal regions of Georgia.

No matter what kind of turf you have, it should receive the exact same nurturing and care that most everything else does. Consider a fertilizer schedule that includes, obviously, fertilizing, but also a pre-emergent and insecticide regimen. We suggest the following for keeping your lawn looking its very best all year round, in particular, weed-free:

• During the second week of February, use a pre-emergent. Pre-emergent herbicides help prevent weeds from rising up above the head of your grass. It contains chemicals that kill a variety of weeds before or just after seeds germinate.
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• In April, week two, apply weed (deterrent) and feed (fertilizer), and insecticide. This combination over time, will potentially improve your lawn’s ability to absorb water and it adds nutrients to induce healthy growth. This is very important for the upcoming hot months of Summer.
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• Around the first week of June, fertilize and pre-emergent.
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• The second week of August, fertilize and insect control.
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• As the Fall comes around, it is wise to fertilize once again during the first week of October with a Fall fertilizer and a pre-emergent weed killer.
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• In December, apply a pre-emergent, just as you did in February.
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At Elmgren’s Garden Center, we sell a variety of sod — by the piece or pallet. We also carry all the specific fertilizers, insecticides and pre-emergents you need to keep your lawn looking great. If you have questions, visit with us at the Garden Center, as we are happy to help you one-on-one. Call us today at (912) 756-6726, or stop in and browse our selection.