If you were to ask us which lawn care service we offer does the most to transform the health and appearance of local lawns, we’d have to say fertilization. Lawns need fertilizer just like people need a healthy diet. Fertilizer is how lawns get the minerals and nutrients grass needs in order to grow.
Are Compost and Fertilizer the Same Thing?
Short answer: no. Long answer: Compost is broken down organic material which contains minerals and nutrients, whereas fertilizer contains minerals and nutrients in a more elemental form. Compost is used to enhance the soil, while fertilizer nourishes specific plants. Compost can be used widely all over the lawn and garden to enrich the soil, whereas fertilizer must be applied carefully and in proper amounts to achieve the desired outcome without damaging the lawn.
Do You Need Fertilizer if You Put Compost On Your Lawn?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: While compost enriches the soil, any crop that demands a great deal of nutrition in order to grow will appreciate the additional support fertilizer provides. Grass demands a lot in terms of nutrition. While it will definitely benefit from compost being added to the lawn, your grass will look its best if it’s also fertilized regularly.
How Often Should Lawns Be Fertilized?
In this part of Massachusetts, lawns do best with three annual applications of fertilizer. The first is in early spring, to jump start the growing season. The second is in mid-summer, to help the grass hold off the powerful impact of the hot sun. The third is just before winter arrives, to help the grass stay strong beneath the cold snow.
Is Fertilizing the Lawn a DIY Job?
Over the years we’ve found that many homeowners become frustrated by how difficult and time consuming fertilizing the lawn can be. That’s honestly because most homeowners don’t want to invest thousands of dollars into the proper equipment, and finding the right fertilizer blend requires a fairly sophisticated understanding of lawn chemistry. If you don’t want to spend your money and free time trying to give the lawn the best nutrition possible, have your local lawn service do it for you.
