Question
We live near K.C. and moved into our new home in
11/03.I need to know about fertilizing and watering. The sod went down on 11/26. We have had above average snow but below average rain since moving in. After sending this email I am going to get my spreader and some fert. Weatherman is calling for 1" of rain later in the day.
Thanks for the advice. Dan

Answer
In your area fertilize in late spring, early fall and late fall. Do not fertilize during hot summer months.

Always apply fertilizer to a dry lawn and water in well (or apply before a good rain storm).

To calculate how much fertilizer to use, divide 100 by the first number on the bag. e.g. if the bag states 28-4-4 for example you would applyl 100 / 28 = 3.57 lbs per 1000 sq feet lawn area. If your lawn area is 8000 sq feet you would need 3.57 x 8 = 28.56 lbs to cover your lawn.

The bag should come with spreader calculations but since most lawn fertilizer spreaders are not properly calibrated, it is still a good idea to calculate how much you need. This will allow you to gauage if the spreader opening should be higher or lower then next time you use it.

Always buy fertilizers formulated for lawns (usually with high first number, such as 28-4-4, 10-2-6). avoid fertilizers with high middle number (10-15-10). Buy fertilizers which state "LAWN" fertilizers.

Since your sod was just laid last year, you can apply a single early spring application. Use 1/2 strength (e.g. divide first number up into 50 and multiply by the number of 1000 sq feet lawn area you have). example: a 5000 sq feet lawn area using a 10-2-6 fertilizer: 50 / 10 = 5 lbs per 1000 sq feet x 5 = 25 lbs to cover the entire lawn.

During hot summer months with no rain, you should water manually to keep the grass green. the general guideline is to water once per week for 2 hours (rather than frequent shallow applications).

General care tips:
- water infrequently, but deeply (eg. 2 hours once weekly rather than 15 minuttes daily)
- fertilizer in late spring, early fall and late fall (this year you can also make a light application in early spring. wait until april, though).
- mow high and mow frequently. mow grass 2.5-3.5" tall (after cutting) and mow so frequently that you do not cut more than 1/3 of the length of the grass during any one mowing (e.g. usually 1-2 times per week in spring and fall and once per week during hot summer months).

Good luck.