Lawns that use a lot of synthetic fertilizer are likely getting killed by this heat and the recommendation to not/restrict watering lawns. Those roots are shallow versus slow release fertilizers that promote deeper roots
Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application
- Thread starter spierceisu
- Start date
We had fertilizer put on ours a couple of weeks ago and it burnt the front, not sure they had a bad mix or what. The back is fine, but the front they burnt the heck out of it. I called and told them about it, they sent one of the owners out and he said it would go away, which most of it has, but he also said I was the 3rd person that had called in about it.
I don't water my lawn at all and this is the first time in the past few years its stayed nice and green this far into the summer. Think having some timely rains have sure helped as we did get just under 5 inches over 2 nights the other week and I do like to let it grow a little long before I mow. I think I have it set at 3.25" right now. My mower goes half inch adjustments so I don't really like to go under 3" till late in the mowing season.
The past few years seems like it has browned out or is close to by now with as dry as it was and I actually don't mind not having to mow about every 7-10 days like I have all year so far. Once it browns out its usually a good month before it perks up and I have to mow again and I don't mind that when it's humid and 100+ heat index outside at times.
This is year 3 with my Toro Timemaster and switching from a 21" to 30" deck has been a game changer with my .27 acre lot. When the lawn is thick and tall could take me 1.5 hours to mow it previously and now I can usually knock it out in about 45 minutes most times. I keep hearing about all the issues with the Timemaster and so far the only thing I have had to do was tighten the engagement cable tension so it fully engaged the blades. I've seen people post online about pulleys and belt issues but so far none of that. I wash off the deck after every mow and make sure I take the plastic shield off a couple times a year to clean out any grass clippings around the belts and pulleys. I wonder if most the issues people have with the Timemaster just comes from not properly maintaining it. I think with any mower if you clean it after every mow and check and changes the fluids and filters it will increase it's lifespan. My last mower was a 21" Craftsman that lasted 21 years before I replaced it and it was still running but just underpowered for my lawn size.
The past few years seems like it has browned out or is close to by now with as dry as it was and I actually don't mind not having to mow about every 7-10 days like I have all year so far. Once it browns out its usually a good month before it perks up and I have to mow again and I don't mind that when it's humid and 100+ heat index outside at times.
This is year 3 with my Toro Timemaster and switching from a 21" to 30" deck has been a game changer with my .27 acre lot. When the lawn is thick and tall could take me 1.5 hours to mow it previously and now I can usually knock it out in about 45 minutes most times. I keep hearing about all the issues with the Timemaster and so far the only thing I have had to do was tighten the engagement cable tension so it fully engaged the blades. I've seen people post online about pulleys and belt issues but so far none of that. I wash off the deck after every mow and make sure I take the plastic shield off a couple times a year to clean out any grass clippings around the belts and pulleys. I wonder if most the issues people have with the Timemaster just comes from not properly maintaining it. I think with any mower if you clean it after every mow and check and changes the fluids and filters it will increase it's lifespan. My last mower was a 21" Craftsman that lasted 21 years before I replaced it and it was still running but just underpowered for my lawn size.
I try not to apply fertilizer after Memorial Day. Try to have it done by middle of May. Want the rains to soak in deep. In southern Iowa it seems the rain spigots usually stop around Fathers Day. I feel fertilizer applied in June stresses the grass too much and really don’t get to the roots and is wasted. That is been my experience. Maybe others have different experiences.
Same here. I apply liquid iron to keep my lawn green without the stress of fertilizer during the heat. Then hit the fertilizer again in the fall.
Good strategy. I have a local feed store that sells a lot of pasture fertilizer which includes Iron and recommends that for lawns. I tried it this spring and it has performed a lot better.
