Fertilizing your grass is important. It cannot live on water alone. Well, it can, but only for a little while and not very well.
Like our own bodies, which can live for about three weeks on just water, grass thrives on more than H2O.
Name That Grass
But when and what you use to fertilize your grass depends what kind of grass it is. What kind do you have? You don’t know? You’re not alone.
Maybe you recently moved to your home and the grass was already there. Maybe you planted some grass but it was so many years ago you forgot what kind it is. Or maybe grass from your neighbor’s yard spread to yours.
If you want to know what kind of grass you have, try using this handy grass identifier. Just put in your ZIP code and it will show you pictures of grass that commonly grows in your area.
Here in northern Utah, turf is commonly composed of a mixture of bluegrass, rye and fescue.
Bluegrass
Bluegrass is popular not just in honkytonks, but in yards across the northern United States. It grows well, is quite hardy and is a bright green color, despite its name. It doesn’t grow well in shade though, so keep that in mind when planting.
Ryegrass
Ryegrass has a bit of a shiny look to it and does well in cooler climates, but not as cold as Canada. It doesn’t do well in extremely dry weather either, so if you have this type of grass, water it during hot periods. It’s a lighter green than bluegrass, and grows well from seed.
Fescue
Fescue grows well in shade and under drought conditions. It doesn’t succumb when walked upon either, making it ideal for a yard used by kids and pets. This hardy grass is likely the one you see sprouting through cracks in your driveway.
Other grasses that grow here in the Intermountain West are Bermuda, bent grass (the kind found on golf courses) and zoysia.
Now’s the Time to Fertilize
If you have warm season grasses, which include Bermuda and zoysia, these should be fertilized in the spring. Cool season grasses — bluegrass, rye, fescue and bent grass — should be fertilized in September.
Your grass has been growing happily all summer long, despite the fact you continually mow it down. With fall on its way, bringing shorter days and less rain, it’s important to shore up your grass’ root system so that it can survive the winter and bounce back come spring.
If the selection of grass seed and fertilizer at your local home and garden store overwhelms you, leave the talk of getting your lawn winter-ready to the experts. Call Earthworks Landscaping — we’llcome by and treat and fertilize your grass, ensuring it’s ready to survive the long, cold winter.
