CUSTOM LAWN FERTILIZER PACKAGES
IN NORFOLK COUNTY & WATERLOO REGION

Fertilizing your lawn goes beyond encouraging green grass. Understanding that there is a science behind lawn growth is a core principle in the lawn industry. There are courses and degrees built to share this knowledge, and the industry itself continues to grow and improve. Jody has studied this science and incorporated it into developing the fertilizer packages we offer, creating custom fertilizer formulas with specific nutrient combinations that suit the soils in Norfolk County. From the sandy loam to the water holding clay, the soils range in needs from Waterford to Simcoe to Port Dover to Delhi and everywhere in between. 

Adding fertilizers to your lawn has several benefits, including encouraging root development, disease/pest resistance, reducing weed growth, and aiding in faster recovery from wear and tear. We offer packages ranging from three to four visits per season, with special blends of fertilizer associated with each visit’s time of year. Having multiple visits through the year improves your lawn’s ability to utilize the macronutrients effectively.  

Macronutrients are the components required in the greatest volume by plants. Nitrogen is required to promote green, thick foliage. It is this lush, vibrant improvement, and the basic need of the grasses, that causes fertilizer blends to generally to include this component in the greatest amount; it yields the biggest visual impact. We often forget that blades of grass are the same as leaves. Potassium is responsible for a plant’s physical strengths and functions. It is Potassium that leads to a plant’s ability to manage stress and persevere through less-than-ideal conditions. There are differences in Potassium needs based on soil and grass type, so ensuring you are aware of your property’s specifics is very helpful. Finally, Phosphorous is utilized primarily in developing a strong root system, aiding in soil attachment and nutrient absorption.  

The needs of your lawn change with temperature, weather, and sunlight availability, and with these requirements in mind, we have worked with our fertilizer supplier Underhill Farm Supply to create time of season specific blends. Although the macronutrients are the main components of fertilizers, but can also add micronutrients such as Iron, Zinc, and Manganese, that round out your lawn’s nutritional uptake. Zinc is key to the production of chlorophyll and helps in the manufacturing of enzymes. Manganese also aids with enzyme and hormone production but primarily is used to convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis. These micronutrients, although small in volume, add key components to the plant’s health and growth. 

Soil nutrients become depleted due to environmental changes, rainfall, mowing and even just foot traffic. Fertilizers work to replenish these diminished nutrients, aiding in revitalization, nutritional balance, and supporting healthy growth. 

When your lawn is well fed, the grass is greener and has stronger roots systems, resulting in more stable, impact resistant, turf. A deep and healthy root system creates a resilient turf that is able to withstand foot traffic and stresses. Turf that last better and grows in thicker also reduces the amount of free space available for weeds to develop. 

Feeding your lawn well results in a robust lawn environment, which helps it to resist environmental stresses such as drought and hot or cold temperatures. A lawn that has a good root system can have better water storage capabilities and thereby require less water to thrive. Fertilizers also improve organic content of soils leading to better overall lawn health. A well-fed lawn is a green, thick, lawn! 

There are outside forces that can impact how well your lawn responds to fertilizers. Timing of your lawn cuts also assists in the effectiveness of fertilizers. Ideally, a lawn will be cut a few days prior to fertilization to ease absorption of nutrients through better soil penetration. However, too soon after a cut where the clippings are not bagged and it can be a hinderance, blocking the nutrients from encountering the soil. Getting a fertilizer onto the ground prior to a decent rainfall is also beneficial, although Mother Nature is a fickle co-worker and not always on the same schedule as we are. It is important to not over fertilize your lawn – too much of a good thing than be killer to lawn health. Watering your lawn after a fertilizer application can guarantee good product distribution, and that residual materials are not left on greenery (grass blades) where they may cause burn. Lawns that receive too much fertilize can lead to too many nutrients in the soil, and cause damage resulting in yellow or brown vegetation (often “burning” the grass). “The ‘burn’ is caused by the salts contained in the fertilizer pulling too much moisture out of the grass or plant” says Bob Vila, of This Old House fame. Not only is the grass damage but it can also be irrevocable killed. Here at Jody’s Lawn Care, we are careful to monitor how much and how quickly the fertilizer is being distributed to the soil and ensure that we do not over fertilize a property. Our frequency schedule is designed to give at least one month between fertilizer applications, securing appropriate nutrient application without harming the turf. 

If there is an accidental over fertilizer application (bumpy lawns or steep hill inclines can be a bother), we know the steps of cleaning up as much of the fallen fertilizer as possible, rinsing the soil with water, and (if these steps have proven too late) the last resort of reseeding the area. 

Let Jody’s ensure that your lawn is sated and healthy by incorporating one of our fertilizer packages. Your lawn will flourish with gratitude!