Fall Fertilizing

Fertilizing is an important aspect in keeping a healthy lawn.  The three main nutrients for turfgrass are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.  Nitrogen enables turfgrass to make chlorophyll which is used to perform photosynthesis.  Phosphorous is important for growth and potassium helps turfgrass become hardy against certain stresses such as drought and traffic stress.   Most of Florida’s soil has enough phosphorous to supply the nutritional needs of a lawn, but nitrogen and potassium need to be supplemented in the form of fertilizer. 

The amount and frequency of fertilizer applications vary with each species of grass.  Below is a chart showing the proper amount and frequency of fertilization for each species in a growing season. 

Nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for Florida turfgrass species

Species/location in Florida	Interim N recommendations (lbs 1000 ft-2 yr-1)*, **
Bahiagrass – North	2–3
Bahiagrass – Central	2–4
Bahiagrass – South	2–4
Bermudagrass – North	3–5
Bermudagrass – Central	4–6
Bermudagrass – South	5–7
Centipedegrass – North	1–2
Centipedegrass – Central	2–3
Centipedegrass – South	2–3
St. Augustinegrass – North	2–4
St. Augustinegrass – Central	2–5
St. Augustinegrass – South	4–6
Zoysiagrass – North	3–5
Zoysiagrass – Central	3–6
Zoysiagrass – South	4–6
*Homeowner preferences for lawn quality and maintenance level will vary; therefore, a range of fertility rates is recommended for each grass and location. Additionally, effects within a localized region (i.e., microenvironmental influences such as shade, drought, soil conditions, and irrigation) will necessitate that a range of fertility rates be used. **These recommendations assume that grass clippings are recycled.

Image retrieved from: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep435

Although fertilizer frequency differs with each species, the growing period is the same for all species growing in the same climate.  An actively growing lawn needs nutrients.  Your lawn should be fertilized as soon as spring green up occurs with subsequent applications throughout the growing season. 

For all of us living in Florida, the last fertilizing period is here.  We should give our grass one last application.  So dust off the spreader and pull out the fertilizer bag this weekend or next.  When you are done, pack it up for the winter and know your fertilizing job is done for the year.   

References:

Trenholm, L. E., Kruse, J. K., & Unruh, J. B. (2010). The Lawn Fertilizer Toolbox. Retrieved form University of Florida, Gainesville, IFAS Extension website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep435

Unruh, J. B., Trenholm, L. E., & Cisar, J. L. (2011). Centipedegrass for Florida Lawns. Retrieved form University of Florida, Gainesville, IFAS Extension website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh009