Although turfgrass plants are naturally resistant to dirt, the long-term maintenance of lawns involves frequent mowing and removal of clippings. These cut leaves cannot be reused as fertilizer, and as the grass grows, it depletes the soil's nutrients, leading to a gradual decline in fertility. Therefore, it is essential to regularly replenish nutrients for the lawn. Different types of fertilizers can be used together to improve soil quality and support healthy growth.
The type of fertilizer applied to turf depends on the soil’s characteristics, the season, and the color of the grass. If the grass appears weak or has sparse roots, or if mosses and weeds are present, it may indicate a lack of proper fertilization. In general, fertilization provides essential nutrients, but since turfgrass primarily focuses on leaf growth and is often kept short without flowering, nitrogen becomes especially important. For cool-season grasses, fertilization can be done once in early spring, mid-spring, and mid-autumn. Warm-season grasses benefit from applications in late spring, summer, and late August. Common options include urea and ammonium bicarbonate. However, for shallow-rooted grasses like Bermuda grass, applying phosphate fertilizer helps deepen the root system. Additionally, potassium is crucial for strong and healthy grass growth.
After establishing a lawn, organic fertilizer is often applied along with rolling. The compost used typically consists of layers of sandy loam, decomposed leaves, grass roots, grass blades, and manure. While the nitrogen content in compost is not high, its main purpose is to improve soil structure, enhance physical properties, and encourage better root development. Composting can be done once every three years, depending on the condition of the lawn. If the surface is uneven, more compost can be applied to fill in low areas. A typical application rate is about 1 kg per square meter. For heavy clay soils, adding sand in the fall can help dry out the surface, which benefits the grass roots and promotes thicker, denser growth. Whether it's compost or sand, both should be worked into the soil properly.
For lawns established on sandy soil with low pH, during the maintenance period, it's recommended to apply 15 grams of calcium phosphate and 5 grams of potassium fertilizer per square meter annually. If the soil is too acidic, adding 30 grams of lime per square meter can help adjust the pH. It's worth noting that fine-leaved grasses like fescue and bluegrass, although originally from poor soils, require balanced nutrition due to frequent mowing, watering, and foot traffic. To support their growth, you can apply 10 grams of cake fertilizer or 2.5 grams of ammonium sulfate combined with 12 grams of superphosphate per square meter. Alternatively, 15 grams of complete fertilizer (N:P:K = 10:6:4) can be used. Cake fertilizer is a slow-release option, best applied before the spring season and fully incorporated in the spring.
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