Application Advice

Nitrogen fertilizers are best applied with a rotary style spreader rather than a drop spreader. The fertilizer should be applied in two directions each perpendicular to the other. This will help ensure proper product overlap and minimize green streaking, often visible as the classic zebra striped lawn. Fertilizer should always be watered into the turf to ensure rapid root uptake and minimize any chance of foliar tip burn. Additionally, care should be taken so that fertilizer nutrients are not applied to areas that do not contain plants. Fertilizer particles falling onto impervious surfaces like sidewalks or driveways should be swept or blown back into the turf so that nutrients do not enter sensitive waterway via the storm sewer drains. Lastly, avoid fertilizer applications near surface waters like ponds and streams keeping a 5- to 10-foot buffer strip between the fertilized area and the surface water.