Did your landscaper mention that it's time to fertilize your grass? Are you unsure if that's really the right service for you? Fertilizing grass is a part of keeping any lawn healthy and looking its best. But, it is often a misunderstood component of landscaping. In fact, most people question whether or not they're doing it right, have purchased the right products, or even how often they should be doing it. Does this sound familiar? If you have questions about lawn fertilization, you'll enjoy this article. We reviewed the things you need to know about maintaining a gorgeous yard without giving you a headache.

Not All Fertilizers Are The Same

You may be surprised to learn that not all fertilizers are created equal. In fact, some of them have glaring differences, including what they're made of. For example, natural lawn fertilizer is made up of organic matter, versus synthetic lawn fertilizer consists primarily of inorganic matter and gasses. Depending on what you're going for, either may be a good fit. Another consideration to make is whether or not you prefer granular or liquid fertilizers. Again, these two are completely different and should be chosen based on ease of application, cost, and how well it works.

How Often Should You Fertilize?

A hot topic for debate is how often you should fertilize your lawn. This is different for just about every lawn. You have to look at a variety of factors, including where you live, the climate, if you have irrigation established, sun, etc. In general, landscapers recommend fertilizing a lawn 5 to 6 times a year. This is roughly every 2 to 3 months or per quarter. If you use regular lawn services, you can fit this in with mowing your lawn throughout the summer. This will give you the best look possible.

Cost

Next to how often you should apply fertilizer, it's likely you're wondering about the cost. Fertilizer is actually more expensive than you might realize. No, you don't have to order the expensive stuff in a bag delivered straight to your door. You can actually pick up good-quality fertilizer in your store or even online. We recommend using a fertilizer that is designed for turf. Avoid using a fertilizer that's made for garden beds, vegetable gardens, etc. This won't have the right nutrient makeup to give you the best results. Remember, whether you choose organic or synthetic, nutrients are what really matter when it comes to growing beautiful, lush grass.