Lawn burn, or fertilizer burn is caused by using or overusing a specific type of fertilizer. According to Scotts, years ago people primarily used fast-release, agriculture-grade fertilizers to feed their landscapes. However, these products were extremely rich in nitrogen, giving the microbes within the soil a hard time breaking it all down. In an effort to help regain balance, the water from the grass was then transferred back to the soil, causing it to dry out and adopt a brown, burned coloring

Luckily, many fertilizers today are slow-release products that release nutrients into the soil little by little, as to avoid overloading. However, dry, hot summer weather conditions can stress your your grass and lead to lawn burn damage. To help you keep your lawn healthy, fed and green, here are some tips to follow when you fertilize this summer:

Pay attention to what your lawn is saying. If your lawn is displaying brown discoloration it has already gone dormant from the summer heat and drought. You should never feed your lawn while in a dormant state. On the contrary, if your lawn is lively, green and growing, fertilizing is perfectly fine. Just be sure to adequately water the week before you feed.

Follow the directions. On each fertilizer packaging label there are distinct instructions for mixing and applying that specific product. Always follow the instructions shown! Just because you’ve fertilized before, doesn’t mean you should repeat the process the same way. Different products have different rules and regulations.

Give your lawn a rest. Hot, dry temperatures cause additional stress to your lawn, so reducing foot traffic on your grassy areas will be tremendously beneficial to your lawn’s well-being.

Set your mower for success. As we’ve mentioned before, cutting grass on the highest setting will keep blades long, shading the soil and allowing roots to grow deep and strong. In addition, make sure that your mower blade is nice and sharp, as dull blades can cause excess moisture loss in your grass.

If you’re in need of fertilization services or your lawn is experiencing the unfortunate effects of lawn burn just give Turf Unlimited a call at 888-649-9919. Our team of skilled professionals are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry and we guarantee our service 100%. If for some reason you’re not completely satisfied, we promise to work with you until you are!