Grass Seed to Fertilizer Planting Ratio

Pre-Planting Application

• It is sometimes necessary to prepare the soil underneath your lawn for grass growth using fertilizer and other soil amendments. Learn about the specific nutritional needs of the grass species you are growing and have your soil tested for fertility by a local university extension office. If the fertility tests indicate a deficiency of a nutrient that your grass needs to grow, use a fertilizer or other soil amendment to supplement that nutrient in your soil. A good tilling just before planting time will incorporate the fertilizer into the soil fully, as well as kill off annual weeds and remove any sticks, rocks and other debris that could interfere with grass growth.

Early Applications

• Depending on the exact species of grass you are growing and on the climatic conditions in your geographic area, an initial fertilizer application coinciding with planting the grass seeds in the soil is usually necessary. A good rate is usually around 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of growing space. The best types of fertilizer to use for this application are those labeled as "lawn starter" fertilizers, usually with an NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio of 19-26-5 or similar.

Long-Term Applications

• Avoid using any fertilizers before the young grass plants are 6 weeks old in order to prevent problems associated with over-fertilization. Fertilization can resume when the grass stalks are about 2 inches tall. The ideal frequency of subsequent applications throughout the growing season depends entirely on the species of grass you are growing, the unique climate in your area and the look that you desire for your lawn.

Other Considerations

• It is critical to understand the importance of customizing your fertilization schedule to the individual growing conditions of your area and to the nutritional needs of the grass seeds you plant. General guidelines are useful but always need to be adjusted according to these factors. Over-fertilizing your grass seeds can lead to health problems once the grass stalks grow to full maturity or can sometimes prevent the seeds from germinating at all. Never fertilize more than is absolutely necessary to ensure long-term health and vigor for your grass seeds.