To keep your lawn green, growing and looking its best, a consistent program of fertilization is essential. Regular fertilization will lead to a thicker, healthier lawn that reduces erosion, filters pollutants provides natural cooling and cleans the air. Plus, your lawn will be less likely to suffer from weed, insect and disease problems when it's fertilized on a regular basis. And perhaps best of all, your lawn will need less water when it gets the nutrients it needs throughout the year.
What's in Fertilizer, Anyway? Fertilizer contains three primary (and many secondary) nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen promotes strong color and top growth, phosphorus stimulates root development, and potassium helps with disease resistance and water retention. For the best results, your lawn should be given these nutrients in evenly spaced treatments throughout the year.
How Do Lawns Use Fertilizer After fertilizer becomes mixed with the moisture in the soil, it's absorbed by the plants through hair-like feeder roots. Once inside the plant, nutrients are distributed to the areas where they're needed and can go to work building new roots, promoting fuller leaf growth, warding off diseases and helping the grass hold water throughout the seasons.