Is It Okay to Put Starter Fertilizer on Right After a New Lawn Starts Coming in?

Starter Fertilizer

• Gardeners spread a starter fertilizer right before planting, which helps with root growth but doesn't add stress to the new root system to produce top growth. Fertilizing while starter fertilizer is contributing nutrients encourages excessive growth, which stresses newly developing grass roots. Therefore, gardeners must wait until seedlings emerge before fertilizing again. The time required for grass seed differs depending on the type used. Grass seed need to germinate and grow before fertilizing again.

Germination Rates

• Grass seeds sown on properly-prepared lawns will have normal germination rates depending on their type. For example, rye grass germinates between 5 to 10 days, hard fescue between 7 to 14 days and Kentucky bluegrass between 14 to 30 days after planting. Gardeners who sow on unprepared soil or apply too many seeds prolong germination times. By monitoring the lawn and keeping seeds moist, gardeners encourage proper germination. Dried out grass seeds will not germinate.

When to Apply Fertilizer

• To contribute important nutrients to seedlings, gardeners fertilize two weeks after germination. Tiny seedlings sprouting up throughout the lawn indicates that seeds have germinated. Because seedlings are prone to dehydration, gardeners must fertilize when the weather is cool and use the proper amount of fertilizer on the lawn. Seedlings need 1/2 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet as recommended by the University of Minnesota. Watering the lawn after applying the fertilizer helps nutrients sink into the soil to root systems.

Fertilizing Schedule

• Fertilizing the lawn every four to six weeks during the growing season helps maintain healthy grass. Lawns need 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Using a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer prevents lawn problems. Quick release fertilizers often cause excessive grass growth, which leaves new lawns susceptible to diseases and pest problems. Warm season grass is fertilized up to the late summer months, and cool season grass should not be fertilized after the late fall. Encouraging grass growth during cold temperatures raises the risks of winter injury.