If you do not like how your lawn is looking, now is the time to do something about it.
Gardening Expert, Ginny Rosenkranz, joins us in the studio to talk about our lawns, soil tests, and fertilizers.
Ginny says fall is the best time to add seed to your lawn.
“Annual grasses grow fast as they only have one year to grow,” Ginny says. “Perennial grass needs the first year to establish a good root system so they grow slow. The next year they continue to develop a good root system and stronger leaves, while the third year, the perennial is growing strong.”
Ginny also says it’s important to get a soil test to find out if the soil is at the right acidity, pH 5.8-6.2. She says it’s also important to find out the availability of phosphorus and potassium which will assist in knowing how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium your lawn needs.
Homeowners need to be aware that there are new lawn fertilizer restrictions.
“New Maryland Lawn Fertilizer Law restrictions may not exceed 0.9 pounds of slow release Nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet and can add fertilizer to the lawn only three times at that rate,” Ginny says.
According to the law, phosphorus can only be added if your soil test shows your lawn needs it or if you are starting a brand new lawn. You can also add compost to the lawn to add organic material to our sandy soils, but only .25 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.
