How to Spread Turf Fertilizer

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from carlo_scialla and more videos in the General Lawns category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

Putting down fertilizer is a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it if you want to have a lush lawn.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A soil test
Fertilizer
A non-windy day with no imminent rain forecast
Moist soil
Familiarity with local fertilizing restrictions
Protective gear
Slow-release fertilizer
A fertilizer spreader

Step 1: Test your soil

Test your soil to find out what nutrients it needs. Garden centers sell do-it-yourself kits, or you can arrange a test through the Cooperative Extension System, a national agricultural network. Find a nearby Extension office on the USDA web site.

Step 2: Get your fertilizer

The soil-test report will recommend a fertilizer grade. Bags are marked with three numbers: for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For an eco-friendly fertilizer, no number should be higher than eight, and the sum of all three shouldn't exceed 15.

Tip: Consider using a fertilizer that releases nitrogen slowly. It costs more, but it's better for both your grass and the environment.

Step 3: Wait for the right day

Wait for a day with no wind and no heavy rains in the forecast to spread your fertilizer.

Tip: Check with your state's Department of Agriculture to find out if your area restricts the amount of fertilizer you can spread at one time.

Step 4: Make sure the soil is moist

Make sure the soil is moist enough to absorb the fertilizer. If you step on the grass and it stays depressed, it's too dry; give it a light watering before proceeding.

Step 5: Spread the stuff around

Spread evenly, and use as little as possible to cover your ground. If you're doing it by hand, wear gardening gloves. Start by fertilizing the edges, and then scatter it over the rest of the lawn twice: first, from east to west and then from north to south. For a large area, use a fertilizer spreader.

Tip: Wear goggles, a dust mask, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and rubber boots when applying fertilizer. Keep people and pets off the grass for 24 hours afterward.

Step 6: Water it

Lightly water the lawn after you've finished so that the fertilizer gets pushed down to the roots.

Thanks for watching How To Spread Turf Fertilizer! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• homefamily
• house
• home
• gardening
• lawn
• caring
• planting
• starting
• spreading
• fertilizing
• grass

[Mroherokon]

howcast uploads way too many videos in one day

[LUSIANO1994]

?????

[Sunglasses93]

go to the howcast channel and where it said subscribe it should say now unsubscribe. Just click on it and you will be usubscribed.

[conmon95]

Ha-Ha.

*Cracks ribs with laughter :L*

[Cullamore]

you know what else is a dirty job?? haha if anyone gets that

[ekkar]

maybe you should be more careful as to what you CHOOSE to click on?

[coinstalker]

how can I unsubscirbe? I changed my mind from subcribeing after the phone sex thing

[JessxHEARTS]

suprised you're not out of ideas, you post so many a day.

[tchanabc]

im bored

[MapleSkittles]

... Replied* :)