Turf & Sod Fertilization Guide: Keep Your Lawn Looking Healthy

Our responsibility is to supply a healthy and attractive lawn. However, the maintenance of that lawn requires the help of you, the homeowner. To accomplish this, we strongly encourage you to implement and continue the following lawn maintenance program to keep your turf or sod in perfect condition.

Why Fertilize Turf & Sod?

As is the case with any living material, grasses require proper nutrition in order to maintain colour and vigor. Fertilizers fulfill this function by providing the primary nutrients of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash (Potassium) and many secondary nutrients such as Sulphur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, etc.

How To Fertilize Turf & Sod

Apply fertilizer as evenly as possible in the late afternoon or early evening when the grass is dry. Uneven applications can result in uneven colouration, i.e. light and dark green stripes, and applications on wet grass during warm weather can result in burning and killing of grasses.

What & When To Fertilize

Late October to Early November

Apply a coarse Dolomite lime at the rate of 10-15 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn area. Helps reduce soil acidity and supplies Calcium and Magnesium. We carry 9kg bags of Dolopril (covers 2000-3000 sq.ft.).

Mid March to Early April

Apply a relatively balanced fertilizer providing an array of nutrients. We carry 20-8-19 in 9 kg bags, good for 5000 sq.ft.

Suggestions: 13-16-10 or 20-8-19. Requires up to 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Late May to Early June

Apply a predominantly nitrogen fertilizer with small amounts of sulphur and iron to promote leaf growth through the summer.

Suggestions: 21-7-7 or 28-4-8 or 18-6-12. Requires up to 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Mid to Late July

Apply a predominantly nitrogen fertilizer with small amounts of sulphur and iron to promote leaf growth through the summer.

Suggestions: 21-7-7 or 28-4-8 or 18-6-12 (50% slow release nitrogen). Requires up to 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.

September

Apply a predominantly potash fertilizer to help harden up the grass in preparation for winter. 

Suggestions: 6-9-18 or 3-5-15 or 4-10-10. Requires up to 5 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.

Mowing Your Turf & Sod

A two inch mowing height is optimum for most lawns — a little longer during warm and dry weather or a little shorter during cool and damp weather. At no time should more than fifty percent of the leaf area be removed at one time, or should the lawn be mown shorter than one and one half inches. Either of these actions could cause serious damage.

At River Meadow Farms on Vancouver Island, we can help develop a healthy and attractive looking lawn for you with your Premium Turf & Sod grown locally in the Comox Valley. Send us an email or give us a call to see how we can help!