How Long Will Starter Fertilizer Keep Grass Green?

When to Apply Nitrogen Fertilizer

• Starter fertilizer promotes grass-root growth and helps seedlings remain green by aiding in chlorophyll production for 6 to 8 weeks. It's imperative for gardeners to help grass focus its energy on root development after planting, because weak root systems prevent healthy grass growth, and unhealthy grass is susceptible to diseases, cannot spread, and produces dull-looking blades. About 2 months after planting, gardeners must apply a complete fertilizer, which provides nutrients for grass-blade growth and color.

Factors

• Improperly applying starter fertilizer shortens the duration in which nutrients will be available to help keep grass green. The correct amount of starter fertilizer must be used right before planting, but the amount you should distribute depends on the NPK value (the NPK amount on the fertilizer's label stands for the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the fertilizer). For example, a starter fertilizer with an NPK value of 16-20-0 should be distributed at a rate of 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet, while a starter fertilizer with an NPK amount of 5-10-10 must be distributed at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Measure out the proper amount of fertilizer to ensure a green lawn for the first 2 months of its growth.

Problems

• Starter fertilizer must be worked into the soil at a depth of 2 to 4 inches to properly contribute enough nutrients for root development and chlorophyll production. If fertilizer granules are left on top of the soil, they'll wash away after irrigation or rainfall. Work starter fertilizer into the soil with a tiller, and water the area after the fertilizer application so that the nutrients remain available for grass growth. Plant grass immediately after working in the fertilizer, to prevent weeds taking advantage of the extra nutrients in the soil.

Complete Fertilizer

• Use a complete fertilizer to prolong the green color of your newly established lawn. A complete fertilizer has an NPK value such as 4-1-3 or 2-1-1. Because the lawn has focused on growing roots due to the starter fertilizer, a complete fertilizer has a lower percentage of phosphorous. The nutrient with the highest percentage in complete fertilizer is nitrogen, which allows grass to produce healthy-looking top growth.