Understanding Over-Fertilization: Causes and Consequences

Fertilizers play a crucial role in maintaining a lush, green lawn. However, an accidental application at a higher rate than recommended can lead to severe consequences. Common causes include

Applying excessive fertilizer in a single drainage of the soil, leading to salt urine, especially in high or neglected grass that has difficulty absorbing nutrients.

The result can be fertilizer burn, causing the grass to turn yellow, brown, or even die completely. This article will guide you through 7 steps to help your over-fertilized lawn recover.

Step 1: Inspect the Damage

Before taking any action, it's essential to assess the extent of the damage. Check the grassroots from different sections of the lawn to gauge how deep the issue has gone. If the roots still look healthy in most areas, watering should suffice. However, if the roots appear dead and crunchy, you may need to reseed or replant.

Step 2: Remove Surface Fertilizer

If you used granular fertilizer, sweep off as much as possible to prevent further salt accumulation. Sweeping can significantly reduce the concentration of salts in the soil. If you begin watering without removing surface fertilizer, you risk exacerbating the problem.

Step 3: Water the Lawn Generously

Watering helps dilute and flush excess salts away from the roots. Ensure the soil is completely saturated to the point where it can no longer absorb water. Apply water not only to the affected areas but also to the parts that appear healthy. This will help spread the salt dilution evenly across the lawn.

How long should you water? Continue watering until the soil can no longer soak up more water. The goal is to leach the salts deep into the soil and away from the roots.

Step 4: Inspect Your Roots Again

In most cases, proper watering will help the lawn recover. Within 7 to 14 days, you should see new growth. If new grassroots do not appear, the damage may be beyond repair.

Step 5: Prepare the Ground for New Grass

Remove the burned or dead grass from the affected areas to allow water to penetrate easily to the healthy roots of the new grass. Water the area for at least a week before planting. This helps eliminate excess mineral salts, allowing new roots to establish more quickly and reach deeper into the soil.

Step 6: Plant New Grass

Decide whether to lay new sod or reseed your lawn based on the size of the affected area. Seeding is ideal for smaller areas, while larger areas may benefit from sod. Whichever method you choose, ensure proper care during planting. Push the sod down firmly and cover the seeds with a thin layer of straw to protect them from critters.

Step 7: Maintain and Observe Your New Grass

After planting, water your new grass daily for at least the first week. Slow down to twice or thrice a week once the roots have been established. Avoid immediate fertilization and wait until 2 to 3 weeks after planting to apply a starter fertilizer. This will help the baby grass adapt to its new environment without the risk of over-fertilization.

By following these steps, you can salvage your over-fertilized lawn and prevent similar incidents in the future. Regular soil testing can also help maintain optimal soil health, ensuring a thriving lawn.