When you over fertilize, the salts build up in the soil and cause a drying effect, which can result in the grass turning yellow or brown: “fertilizer burn.”
How Does Fertilizer Burn Grass?
For decades, homeowners have been frustrated by browned out lawns, supposedly “burned” by the mis-application or mis-use of lawn fertilizers. Let’s set the record straight; fertilizers don’t burn grass. Repeat, fertilizers will not burn your lawn. Why then, did my lawn turn brown after it was fertilized?
First, pet urine, especially that of female dogs can leave “burned” spots in the lawn. Or, the answer may lie in the type of fertilizer you applied. While top quality fertilizers are manufactured to release their nutrients, mainly nitrogen, over time, water soluble or quick release fertilizers literally dump their contents in just days. And, it’s true that, in hot, humid weather, this excess nitrogen, released rapidly into the turf, can create tip burn, the affect we call “burning”.
Also, mis-applied or over-applied fertilizer, usually due to an improperly adjusted lawn spreader, can have the same affect. Still, the lawn is not “burned”. What takes place in the presence of excess nitrogen is simply that the salt content in the fertilizer is pulling the water from the grass plants, leaving them to quickly dry out and turn brown, looking “burned”.
Since water moves from an area of low to high salt concentration, as long as the excess nitrogen salts are in the vicinity of grass roots, dehydration will take place and the grass will look “burned”.
How to Fix Fertilizer Burn
The quick remedy…. water the lawn immediately. Enough water will act to neutralize the high salt content in the lawn and eliminate the problem. Since most “burning” is simple tip dehydration, the lawn should recover its natural color in short order. Typically, since most turf will recover, replacing sod should not be required.
In the case of pet damage, homeowners have learned that moving the dogs anchoring leash around the lawn, spreading the urine around the lawn will at least reduce the concentration of brown spots.
To learn more, click here.
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FAQs
Since water moves from an area of low to high salt concentration, as long as the excess nitrogen salts are in the vicinity of grass roots, dehydration will take place and the grass will look “burned”.
Does fertilizer burn grass? ›
In lawns, fertilizer burn may show up as scorched stripes where trips across the lawn overlapped too much, or it may involve the entire lawn or spots where fertilizer spilled. In garden plants, it often appears as brown, burnt-looking tissue on leaf edges and tips.
Does fertilizer actually help grass? ›
Fertilizer provides the essential nutrients that your lawn needs to grow strong and healthy. Fertilizing your lawn helps to promote lush, green growth and also aids in disease resistance. A well-fertilized lawn is less likely to be damaged by pests and diseases.
What is the best fertilizer that won't burn your grass? ›
Milorganite® Will NOT Burn Your Lawn or Plants
It contains virtually no salts, so it won't burn your lawn, trees, shrubs, or plants, even in the hottest temperatures or driest conditions. Milorganite will not burn tender seedlings and can be used as a carrier when spreading grass seed.
What happens to a lawn with too much fertilizer? ›
We know fertilizer is an easy way of making sure your lawn is healthy and green, but if you start to apply a little too much, you can dry your soil out completely. Over-fertilization will turn the grass yellow or brown, or even kill it completely!
How long does it take for grass to recover from fertilizer burn? ›
Fertilizer burn. Fertilizer burn symptoms appear soon after fertilizer is applied. You'll often see grass blades dry from the tip and yellow, brown, or scorched stripes following the application pattern. If you act fast, turfgrass can recover in a few days to weeks.
Can you just throw fertilizer on grass? ›
If you're going to spread fertilizer on your lawn then you really shouldn't do it without a spreader. There are two types of spreaders: broadcast and drop. Drop spreaders are for more targeted applications, while broadcast spreaders are good for covering a large area quickly.
Do you water grass immediately after fertilizing? ›
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 long does it take for fertilizer to absorb into grass? ›
How Long Does it Take 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.
Will fertilizer revive dead grass? ›
If you have dead grass, fertilizer will do nothing to bring it back; you are essentially pouring high-quality fertilizer down the drain! But we understand that some homeowners aren't sure if their lawn is dead or just dormant, so they fertilize to test.
Scotts® granular Lawn Foods are slow-release products, meaning the nutrients are released slowly to the lawn. Microbes in the soil are able to break down the nitrogen in the particles over time, thereby releasing nutrients slowly and steadily over a6-8 week period, which means no lawn burn.
What fertilizer makes grass thicker and greener? ›
When overseeding your lawn, a starter fertilizer such as Pennington UltraGreen Starter Fertilizer 22-23-4 helps promote vigorous root growth for the fast establishment of new grasses. For established lawns, Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer 30-0-4 provides the nitrogen your lawn needs for thick, green grass.
Why is my grass dying after fertilizing? ›
Certain fertilizers have concentrated salts that can cause burns on your lawn or other signs of damage like wilting or dying grass. Burns might occur if you apply too much fertilizer to your lawn, if there is little moisture due to weather, or if you use specific fertilizers.
How to avoid burning lawn with fertilizer? ›
Every fertilizer is harmful if applied incorrectly but some grass fertilizers are less likely to burn your lawn. Look for products labeled slow-release; these fertilizers contain less salt and release nitrogen slowly, limiting the potential harm. Natural or organic fertilizers are less likely to burn as well.
Why is my grass not responding to fertilizer? ›
One of the main causes of lawn not responding to fertiliser is the pH level or your soil being too high or too low. In order for the lawn roots to take in nutrients the soils pH needs to be between 6 and 7. Anything outside of this and the lawn will struggle to absorb the goodness from fertilisers.
How long to avoid grass after fertilizer? ›
After the fertilizer has been completely absorbed into the soil, yes. It's generally recommended to wait about 24-72 hours after a fertilizer application before letting your kids go back onto the grass and to also ensure your lawn is watered well before the kids go back to playing in the grass.
Should grass be wet or dry when applying fertilizer? ›
Although some fertilizers benefit from slightly moist grass, if your lawn is too wet, it will fail to properly absorb the nutrients. This includes both granular and liquid fertilizer products. You should avoid applying foliar fertilizer to wet grass because it could lead to nutrient burn.
Do I need to water immediately after fertilizing? ›
It depends on the fertilizer. Some lawn foods perform better when you water them in right after applying, while others—such as some weed-and-feed products—need to be watered a day or two after fertilizing. It all comes down to this: Check the product directions on the bag—they'll tell you when to water.
