Lawn care is one chore that seems to be menial from the outside, but once you get really into it, it becomes clear that it takes a lot of hard work and research. One of the most commonly asked questions about lawn care in Massachusetts is: “How often should I fertilize my lawn?”
If you’re native to Massachusetts, you have a good grasp of the cultural climates per season. The weather changes fast and fierce, and your lawn care schedule should change with it. Here at Lawn Doctor, we offer a 6-step program for fertilization and weed control that we have found best suits our regional climate. At its core, the program consists of 2 Spring fertilizers, 2 Summer fertilizers, and 2 Fall fertilizers. It’s when you get into the nitty-gritty of the applications that you start to realize why each one is just as imperative as the rest.
The springtime is when the lawn is just starting to ramp back up from dormancy. The prospect of this is great, until you start to realize that with grass growth comes weed growth as well. This is why it is imperative that you put down a good dose of preventative Weed Control in the spring. We take that ideology to the next level by applying this product twice in the spring, to be sure any potential weeds are kept at bay.
Massachusetts summers tend to be very hot and dry. 2022 especially brought us a level of severe drought that we haven’t seen in many years. One would think that this would be the time to hold off on any fertilizer applications with risks of burning the lawn, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your lawn will need these continued feedings once the fall rolls around, as it will store the nutrients in its roots until the cooler temperatures roll around to wake things back up. Two applications from June through August will be best to keep things maintained.
Then comes fall, which is the ideal time for growing new grass. Whether your lawn is already well-established and just needs a touch up, or it’s bare and needs a full makeover, mixing seed and fertilizer will only enhance your chances of growth. Your best fall plan is to fertilize when seeding, then again about 4-6 weeks out. This will likely be your last fertilizer application of the year, so you’ll want to utilize a winterizing product to keep the lawn safe throughout the harsh winter months that New England can provide.
Overall, lawn care in Massachusetts can be trickier than meets the eye. If you’ve come this far and feel overwhelmed, you may need to turn to a pro like Lawn Doctor to provide you the best quality products and keep your lawn on schedule. From Westborough to Chatham and all the towns in the South Shore, Metro West, and Cape Cod in between, Lawn Doctor is available and ready to keep your lawn fertilized and healthy!
