Almost every homeowner wants a picturesque front lawn in their yard, but only when they set out to do it do they see the challenges involved. The key to building and maintaining a healthy lawn is to form a routine and stick with it.
Now, you can’t form a plan without knowing what your lawn actually needs, and that is where a lawn fertilization calculator comes into play. Simply input the basic information of your lawn, grass type, and needs, and it will recommend the right products in the right quantities.
The Variables of a Lawn Fertilization Calculator
Size Of Your Lawn
The first variable a lawn fertilization calculator needs in order to determine the right products you need is the size of your lawn. In order to avoid over-fertilizing or under-fertilizing your lawn, you need to have an accurate measurement of your lawn size. Almost all fertilizer products will tell you how much you should use for the given size of your lawn, and a lawn fertilization calculator takes this measurement and gives you product recommendations that will cover up to 3 months of fertilization. Now, don’t worry; you don’t have to actually go outside and measure the square foot of your lawn. Fortunately, there are free online mapping tools that can measure it for you.
Grass Type (Warm vs. Cold Season)
The next variable is the grass species you are trying to fertilize, which will be divided between warm-season grasses, including Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, etc., and cold-season grasses, including Rye, Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, etc. Fertilizers react differently to different species and temperatures, and different climates affect the soil, which means they require different nutrients in order to grow healthy.
Will You Be Spoon Feeding Your Fertilizer?
Most homeowners will fertilize and provide general maintenance to their lawns once a month. This is a traditional method for lawn maintenance that works well and is likely the most convenient for the average person. However, there is an alternative method for fertilization that has been proven to be more effective in growing healthy and lush green grass. We call this spoon-feeding fertilizer, which means applying the product in smaller doses several times per month instead of doing it all at once. As you can tell, it is a slightly bigger time commitment, but the results speak for themselves. Additionally, if you plan on following this schedule a lawn fertilization calculator might recommend a different product that has a faster activation due to the more frequent use.
Does Your Soil Need Phosphorus?
When you fertilize your lawn you are adding additional nutrients to the soil, which sounds like a good thing but can have adverse effects if your soil is already rich in a specific nutrient. This is why professional landscapers always perform a test with a soil test kit to get an accurate reading of a lawn’s health. A soil test kit will tell you if your lawn has too much phosphorus or not enough. Entering this information into a lawn fertilization calculator will give you product recommendations that will compensate for your soil’s lack of phosphorus. Or, in the inverse, provide you with fertilizer that doesn’t raise your soil’s phosphorus levels.
Will You Be Using a Growth Regulator?
A common misconception is that fertilizer helps your grass grow faster and healthier and that it is a good thing. But in reality, grass that grows too fast can in fact, be a problem not only with maintenance as it requires you to mow your lawn more frequently but can also lead to more unwanted weeds growing in your yard. Plant growth regulators are an organic product that can stop your grass from growing too quickly while still keeping it healthy. If you have been having trouble with your lawn grass growing out of control in record time, you’ll want to click yes on the lawn fertilization calculator.
Will You Be Using Granular Biostimulants?
Biostimulants are organic products that help your grass and plants absorb nutrients while providing essential ingredients missing from your soil that are key for healthy plant growth. They are like the cousin of fertilizers and actually help your fertilizer work more efficiently. They are also organic and, when mixed with organic fertilizer, can reduce the number of harsh chemicals needed to keep your lawn looking green.
Start Planning Your Dream Lawn
By using a lawn fertilization calculator you can get a head start in planning your dream lawn. Just input the information accurately, and you’ll be on your way to that photo-finish front yard.