As you likely already know, so much of the health and success of your lawn comes down to proper timing. It’s a matter of performing the correct services when they need to be performed. Of course, you’re likely not an agronomist and you don’t know the exact timing of everything that your lawn needs. We certainly understand that! Lawn care can be complicated and require a tremendous amount of knowledge so you are not alone in having questions. Some of the most common questions that we get as lawn care professionals have to do with watering after fertilizing. Homeowners want to know when to water the lawn after fertilizing. Or, how long to water the lawn after fertilizing. They understand that their watering efforts can make a difference in the overall success (or failure) of their fertilization service. At Master Lawn, we typically say to wait 24 hours before watering your lawn after fertilizing. But it is important to make sure that it does receive a good watering session soon after that 24 hour waiting period. Watering helps the fertilizer to activate and to break down and begin feeding nutrients to the lawn. The key nutrients that a lawn needs are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K), all of which are found in fertilizer, and each of which has a different function. In terms of the time of day, the ideal period to water the lawn is in the early morning, just at sunrise (or immediately beforehand). In the middle of the day, when the sun is at its strongest, water is going to evaporate too quickly to be effective. But watering at night can also be problematic and should be avoided. When there is not enough sunlight available for the lawn to begin to naturally dry out, excessive moisture combined with heat can be the perfect recipe for fungal growth to occur overnight. Sticking to watering in the morning will help prevent these issues. Your lawn’s watering needs can change based on the weather conditions. But you probably want at least some idea of how long or how often, to water. While we recommend watering 1 to 2 times a week once the fertilization season starts in early spring (while we’re also likely receiving ample rainfall), in the heat of the summer, that can be easily ramped up to 3 to 4 times per week. It’s important that your lawn continues to receive ample water, even through the hottest days. Drought stress can really do a lot of damage to a lawn. In addition, your lawn care professional will also know exactly how much fertilizer to apply during periods of drought. This is important as forcing your grass to grow too much with fertilization during periods of drought can actually end up harming your lawn. The general rule for watering a lawn is 1 to 2 inches per week. The best way to achieve this is to think of giving your lawn a good “soaking” with deep waterings. The goal is to soak your lawn until the soil is moist to a few inches deep. The exact amount of time that this may take will depend upon your lawn and its sprinkler system. On average, it could take around 45 minutes to an hour. Of course, Mother Nature will hopefully also be doing some of the watering work. But we find homeowners sometimes over-estimate how much rain actually fell. Using a rain gauge can be an effective way to keep track of how much water your lawn is receiving during periods of rainfall. We also want to mention that if you’re currently using a hose and sprinkler system (and having to set a timer and move it around so that your entire lawn is covered), we recognize this can be frustrating. It takes a lot of time and effort. For that reason, a lot of homeowners like the idea of a professional irrigation system, which will take all of the guesswork out of watering the lawn. With an irrigation system, you can ensure it’s set to receive exactly what your lawn needs. Our sister company, Michael Hatcher & Associates, installs irrigation systems in and around Memphis, TN and Northern Mississippi if that is something that you are thinking about. The decisions that you make for your lawn are important. As we mentioned early on, the timing of those decisions is also critical to your success. Proper fertilization and proper watering are two services that can play a huge role in your overall results, assuming that they’re performed properly. If you’re currently performing DIY lawn care or using a lawn care professional but not seeing the results that you desire, then you might be looking to choose a different lawn care company in Memphis, TN or Northern Mississippi. After all, if you are investing in professional lawn care, you deserve to get the results you’re wishing for. At Master Lawn, we believe that a healthy lawn is a team effort. While we will be performing professional fertilization services, we’re here to support you with your watering needs. That includes any watering questions that you might have. We can also connect you with our sister company if you prefer to take that work off of your plate and have a professional irrigation system installed. At the end of the day, we want to help you see your lawn succeed. You can count on us to be here for whatever you may need in making your healthy lawn wishes come true. If you’re ready to work with a lawn care company in Memphis, TN and Northern Mississippi that will be there to provide you with guidance on any lawn care issues that arise, talk to a lawn care expert, choose from 3 program options, and become the master of your lawn.
Whether you’re attempting DIY lawn care or you’re working with a professional, you want to make sure that you’re armed with the correct information and making the best decisions for your lawn. That’s why we’re answering some of the most common questions around watering and fertilization.When to Water a Lawn After Fertilizing?
How Long to Water a Lawn After Fertilizing?
How Much to Water Your Lawn After Fertilizing?
Getting the Great Lawn You’ve Been Wishing For
FAQs
Watering Your Lawn After Fertilizing: How Long to Wait & How Long to Water? ›
At Master Lawn, we typically say to wait 24 hours before watering your lawn after fertilizing. But it is important to make sure that it does receive a good watering session soon after that 24 hour waiting period. Watering helps the fertilizer to activate and to break down and begin feeding nutrients to the lawn.
How many minutes should I water my lawn after fertilizing? ›How Long Should You Water Your Lawn After Fertilizing? The fertilizer and soil should be thoroughly moist, but don't water so much that the water begins to form puddles. About 20 minutes should do the trick.
How long does it take for lawn fertilizer to work? ›Most fertilizers start showing results within one to five days after it's been fully absorbed by your lawn. Slow-release formulas often take a bit longer, but you'll still likely see a difference in your lawn's health within a couple of weeks.
Is morning dew enough to water in fertilizer? ›Morning dew can also help with fertilizer, which creates enough moisture for the grass to take the fertilizer. Dew reduces water stress on your lawn and plants so when water is on grass, it reduces transpiration.
How much rain is needed after fertilizer? ›Keep in mind (I have said this before), your lawn needs about 1/2" of water after you fertilizer. Water helps "activate" your fertilizer. It helps move the granules deep into the thatch where it starts to break down so that it can be soaked into the root system. So rain after a fertilizer is a GOOD thing.
What happens if you don't water lawn after fertilizing? ›Watering to the appropriate levels after a fertilizer application is important. Too much and you can have run-off and diluted products. Too little and the fertilizer will just sit on the very surface of the ground and will not provide ideal conditions for the grass to take up the nutrients.
How long does it take for granular fertilizer to dissolve? ›Typically, most granular fertilizers dissolve within 24 to 48 hours, although the specific formula and brand can influence the dissolution time. It is important to read the packaging instructions for a more precise understanding of the specific formula you're working with.
Is it okay to put fertilizer on dry grass? ›While it's generally a good practice to fertilize a dry lawn, applying treatment during a drought is not advisable. The heat can place significant stress on your lawn, and fertilizer might not be the ideal solution.
Can you put fertilizer down on wet grass? ›You can usually apply most non-liquid granular fertilizers to wet grass, but not saturated ground. If there are ponds or heavy rain, it's best to wait until the ground processes the water before applying any type of fertilizer. If there's light rain, it's okay to spread dry granular fertilizer.
What happens if you fertilize and it doesn't rain? ›As a side note, never apply fertilizer when extended drought conditions are expected. It won't do your plants any good; you'll waste money on fertilizer because it will eventually become inactive, and whatever is left will simply wash away in the next big rain.
What time of day is best to fertilize a lawn? ›
Late afternoon or early evening (when there's still light, of course) is the best time of day to apply lawn fertilizer. Applying it in the heat of a scorching afternoon can cause the sun's rays to burn your grass—and when your goal is "lush and green," burned grass blades simply won't cut it.
Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks? ›Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks? To avoid over-fertilizing, applying a fertilizer every two weeks is not recommended. Fertilizing as often as every two weeks will likely lead to problems such as lawn burn, excessive grass growth, as well as polluted water that can lead to toxic algae growth.
Do you cut grass before fertilizing? ›Before applying fertilizer to the lawn, it's important to mow it first to clear away any thatch. This allows the fertilizer to make better contact with the soil. When the spring fertilizer makes better contact with the soil, it will be absorbed more easily by the roots of your grass.
How long after fertilizing a lawn is it safe for pets? ›It is common practice to wait at least 24-72 hours before letting your dog go back on the lawn. After this period, the fertilizer is absorbed entirely into the soil. Before letting your dog free again, it is also good to water the lawn.
How many minutes should I water my new lawn? ›Normally a lawn should be watered deeply but infrequently, but when you are watering for new grass seed, you must water every day. Set automatic timers for about 5 to 10 minutes, early in the morning, and again at mid-day. Watering done by hand or hose-end sprinklers must be consistent and evenly applied.
What happens if you apply fertilizer to wet grass? ›Although some fertilizers benefit from slightly moist grass, if your lawn is too wet, it will fail to properly absorb the nutrients.
How often should I water my grass after seeding and fertilizing? ›It is best to water the grass seedlings 2 to 3 times a day for about 5 to 10 minutes each time. This way you replace any water that has evaporated without oversaturation. It amounts to 3-4 inches of water per week. Once the grass seeds germinate, you should water for a longer period once a day.