Raising Potassium in Your Lawn

Potassium plays a key role in helping your grass metabolize water and perform certain enzymatic functions that lead to continued growth. Established lawns can deplete the soil of the existing potassium, a condition that results in stunted growth and an increased susceptibility to disease. Fertilizing your lawn regularly can raise and restore the levels of this important soil nutrient.

Soil test
Rake
Potash fertilizer
Seed and fertilizer broadcaster

Instructions

- 1
  Test the soil in your lawn. The amount of nutrient in your lawn can change over time, making it necessary to test the soil whenever you notice poor growth or an increase in turf disorders and diseases. If your soil test shows a potassium deficiency, you will need to fertilize.
- 2
  Prepare your lawn for fertilizing in the early spring, as soon as the grass begins to show signs of new growth. Rake up any debris and loose grass from the surface of your lawn.
- 3
  Fertilize your lawn with potassium on a day that is calm and cool, using a seed and fertilizer broadcaster and adjusting the rate of flow to the recommendations listed on the fertilizer label. Avoid applying it to a wet or damp lawn. Use a muriate of potash fertilizer with a 0-0-60 ratio. Your soil test results will determine the amount of fertilizer your lawn requires.
- 4
  Water your lawn immediately after applying the potassium fertilizer. Apply enough water to provide moisture at the level of the deepest roots.
- 5
  Fertilize your grass with potash again late in the fall or early in the winter, after the rate of growth begins to slow down. Use the same method for applying the fertilizer that you used when you fertilized your lawn during the springtime.

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