Is Fertilizer Really Necessary?

“Please settle this argument for me. My husband and I just bought our first home, right here in Kingston, MA. The lawn looks great, and I think we should just leave it alone and not mess with it. He insists that the grass needs fertilizer, weed control, and all of this stuff – I think they’re starting to know him by name at the garden center. Is fertilizer really necessary, or are they taking advantage of his enthusiastic inexperience?”

Local Lawn Services in Kingston MA responds:

I understand and respect your urge to protect your husband, but I also have to tell you the truth, which is fertilizer is really necessary for a great lawn. Think of fertilizer in the same way you think of gas for the car, or even food for your own body. Without the right nutrition, you’re not going to look or feel great. Grass works the same way, except instead of food, it needs fertilizer.

The question is which fertilizer? When you’re standing in that garden center, looking at rows and rows of bags and bags, it can be intimidating and overwhelming. How do you know which product is right for your lawn, especially when you’re not entirely sure what makes them different? So that’s the first challenge with fertilizer. The second is knowing when to fertilize the lawn and how much fertilizer to apply.

If your husband enjoys working on the lawn, encourage him to learn more about what interests him. Your grass will get what it needs while you will be free from the fear he’s spending money on the wrong products. Lawns need maintenance just like the rest of your property. If it’s not a task either of you want to take on, have the local lawn service do it – it’s the easiest way to protect your investment and enjoy great grass.