Fertilization

16 nutrients are required for normal growth and establishment of our warm season grasses.  9 of these nutrients are considered macronutrients which will make up the most of what a turfgrass will need to be present in the soil.  Macronutrients include: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur.  Deficiencies of these various macronutrients can result in chlorisis (yellowing of the grass), reduced seed development, reduced cold hardiness, weakened drought tolerance in addition to limited disease and pest resistance.  The remaining 7 nutrients are considered micronutrients and consist of: iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum and chlorine.  These 7 micronutrients support and are involved in many important plant functions not limited to photosynthesis, growth, metabolism, and nitrogen assimilation.  

At 1UP Lawn Care we take the fertilization of our customers' lawns seriously and consider it one of the most important steps in establishing and maintaining a lawn.  Fertilizers are applied through-out the year starting in the spring and continued on through the fall with most grass types.  Fertilizer balances (the ratio of Nitrogen - Phosphorus - Potassium) will change through-out the year.  Generally, a balanced and complete fertilizer is applied at the beginning of the year to ensure a proper ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous (if needed), and potassium along with micros will be available for the turf.  The subsequent fertilizers will include nitrogen applications in both slow and fast release forms to support slow and steady growth.  In the late summer or early fall most lawns will receive a fertilizer with a higher ratio of potassium which has shown to increase cold hardiness as our grass types near dormancy with lowering temperatures.  

Most of our lawns are assessed on appearance, technician notes, and our customers' information regarding past care.  A soil sample may be performed if necessary to identify nutrient deficiency or excess that could be inhibiting growth.