Fertilizing with Broadcast Spreader

Many of you are wondering what is supposed to be done to a yard in August.  This year the answer is mow and mow often.  Here in Nashville, Tn we have not stopped getting good rain showers and the grass is growing faster now than it did in the spring.  Rule of thumb is don’t cut more than ½ to 1 inch off of the grass at one time.  It can really do some damage if you are cutting more than that.  Also, make sure your blades are razor sharp.  Dull blades just rip the grass and in the scorching sun, really makes the ends of the grass brown up and can cause disease.  Also when mowing, mow in different patterns each week.  Going in one pattern week after week can cause problems with tire tracks on the grass and dirt.

August is usually the last hooraw for spraying any type of herbicide weed killer.  There needs to be at least 6 weeks between the last application of herbicide and planting grass seed.  Depending on your climate zone, seed should be installed either in September or October.

If you are not needing weed control, the typical application for late July or August is a high nitrogen, or high iron fertilizer.  Any lawn food will do the job, or Milorganite is the organic version and is less likely to burn the lawn.  Make sure when fertilizing that you use the recommended rate and get an even coverage.   I have seen many times where spots are missed and it is very noticeable.  Also, don’t spill any.  If you drop a pile on the grass, it will kill that spot for a long time.  Make sure that you either get a decent amount of rain shortly after application, or water the lawn real good to help activate the chemical and protect the grass from burning.

Happy Fertilizing