|
Proper application of fertilizer depends upon the type of fertilizer
you buy and the type of equipment you use. Dry fertilizers move into the
soil and are taken up by the roots and are then translocated throughout
the plant, reaching the leaves. Liquid fertilizers are absorbed primarily
through the leaves.
Methods
of application for dry fertilizers
Mechanical
spreaders
By hand
- Fertilizers can be scattered by hand and raked in if gloves are worn,
but this method is not very efficient or accurate.
Method
of application for liquid fertilizers
|
|
Applying
dry fertilizers
- Pour the material into your spreader over a driveway or other
cement area where spilled material can be swept up (pouring over
a lawn where spilling may occur can lead to burn); do not let
excess fertilizer be washed into storm drains.
- A few days before you fertilize, deeply irrigate your lawn so
that the soil is moist; the grass blades should be dry by the
time you start your application.
- Fertilize the edges first.
- Make passes up and down the remainder of the lawn, spreading
half the required fertilizer; be sure to turn off the spreader
when you are turning around or have finished a pass.
- Go over the lawn a second time, spreading the remainder of the
fertilizer at right angles to the first.
- With each pass, overlap wheel marks to avoid any striping.
- Irrigate after application to move the fertilizer from the leaves
into the soil.
- Return any leftover material to its container and hose out the
equipment and let it air-dry.
|
|
