The Consequences of Overfertilizing Your Lawn

Lawns in North Carolina require a lot of attention to keep them healthy and green. However, one common mistake property owners make is overfertilizing their turf. Overfertilization can occur when too much fertilizer is applied for a specific lawn's needs. This leads to the lawn drying out and turning brown. It can also lead to nutrient pollution, which is when excess nutrients from fertilizers end up polluting nearby waterways, harming aquatic life. Not only that but it's a waste of money, as any fertilizer your lawn can't absorb won't be utilized. To avoid these problems, it is best to hire professionals to fertilize your lawn. They will know how much fertilizer is needed and when to apply the treatments to ensure the best results for your grass.

Overfertilizing your lawn can cause fertilizer burn.

If you apply too much fertilizer to your lawn, then you risk causing fertilizer burn. Fertilizer burn occurs when your grass receives too many nutrients, which it cannot process all at once. As a result, the excess salt contents draw out moisture from your turf, causing it to turn brown and appear scorched. The affected blades of grass will also start to curl and become brittle. Additionally, it'll stunt your lawn's growth, which is the opposite of what fertilizer is intended to do.

Excessive fertilization can cause nutrient pollution.

Another reason you shouldn't overfertilize your lawn is that there are environmental consequences associated with using too much. Excessive fertilization means not all of the treatment will be absorbed by your lawn, so the rest can be washed away into nearby bodies of water, leading to harmful algae blooms. When that happens, excess nutrients can deplete waterways of oxygen, resulting in harm to aquatic life and ecosystems.

When you overfertilize your lawn, you waste your money.

Overfertilization isn't good for your grass or the environment, and what's more, it eats up your money. Fertilizer doesn't come cheap, and if you're using more than is necessary, you'll wind up wasting a lot of money on detriments to your turf. After all, your grass will only absorb what it needs and discard the rest, resulting in wasted resources.

Hire professionals to fertilize your lawn to ensure the best results.

DIY lawn fertilization comes with the risk of applying too much, so it's always a better idea to let lawn care professionals handle the job. When you hire pros, they will know exactly how much fertilizer your lawn needs and how frequently it needs to be treated throughout the year. Plus, they will use high-quality fertilizers that are specifically designed for your lawn's needs, which can be more effective than products available to you. By hiring professionals, you won't run the risk of giving your lawn too many nutrients and damaging it or sending excess into local waterways.

Give us a call today to enroll in our comprehensive lawn fertilization program!

If you want to grow a vibrant lawn that thrives throughout the year, you can count on us here at Ideal Landscaping & Irrigation. We offer a full-service maintenance program that includes our lawn fertilization service. As part of the service, our team will visit your property multiple times throughout the year to apply fertilizer and weed control treatments, giving your lawn the nutrients it needs while keeping it weed-free. We also use liquid and granular fertilizers depending on the time of year, and we'll apply only what is necessary to avoid issues that come with overfertilization. We cater to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, NC, and the surrounding areas. To sign up for our lawn fertilization service, call us at (336) 396-9191 today!