Monthly Tip: September

Once is enough!

For many families, September is a busy month. The back-to-school rush seems to fall at the same time that we also want to enjoy the last days of summer. And amidst books, backpacks, and final backyard barbecues, September is also the month that many people fertilize their lawns one last time for the year.



In fact, if you fertilize more than once a year, we recommend cutting back to just once, and September to mid-October is the best time.

In September, there are cooler temperatures, ample rain, and weeds are dying back. For the greatest benefit to your lawn, be sure to use a “slow release” fertilizer. This long-lasting type of nutrient is also more likely to stay in the root zone rather than washing off to local waters with the next rainstorm.

Here are a few other tips to minimize the effect that fertilizers have on our water resources:

• Consider cutting back just to September, if you fertilize more than once a year.
• More is not better! Use only the amount directed.
• Check the weather forecast, and don’t apply fertilizer when heavy rain is predicted.
• Clean up any spills by sweeping the product back onto the lawn. Never sweep fertilizer toward a paved surface or a stormdrain!