Is it ok to use starter fertilizer throughout the summer months on a lawn that is already established?
Question:I tried this with my last yard and it seemed to work well, giving my lawn a very thick, green appearance. The Scott's starter fertilizer was the only product I used, no turf builder or other lawn care product. I am just curious if doing this will cause any long term damage to my yard?
Answers:
I'm not a big advocate of summer fertilization of turfgrass unless you have a VERY good water source.
If you are watering thoroughly and often, the starter is OK. The plants are still getting nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (N, P, K) which are the primary nutrients, so you won't harm them.
I prefer a controlled release fertilizer in the early fall and the spring, but it's your lawn. Go for it.
the starter fertilizer probably has a lower nitrogen level so it won't burn new grass, so it shouldn't hurt an established lawn. you may not get as good results if it is weaker though.
I primarily use SCOTT's STARTER FERTILIZER only when I have replanted a certain areas or patches and was using grass seed which makes sense bec Fertilizers are primarily given to plants since they contain the extra chemical nutrients when plants are in their growth cycle.
As long as you continue to water your lawn, it should look nice and stay green with the extra chemicals you have given it...but in all honesty, I simply use two different SCOTTS TURFBUILDER with weed killer additives, one designed to be spread in the fall for Winterization (think package has orange on the outside) and the other SCOTTS TURFBUILDER also with weedkillers used in the early spring the outside package has yellow markings.
Basically all grass and lawns are exposed to weeds etc and that is the purpose of the other Scott fertilizers being marketed and sold at Home Depot/Lowes.
There is nothing in the fertilizer which should be harmful, if you keep to the instructions. Whether you need to use anything else depends on your particluar soil and grass mix. Frequent mowing is what thickens the lawn. Nitrogen from the fertiliser will speed growth and green the lawn provided sufficient water as well. Best to lay off any fertilizer during any dry spells. One off, raking in the spring is often advisable as well to remove any dead matter.
You will find a regular fertilzer needs to be applied less often
in good growing conditions.
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