What’s up Lawn Care Nuts? I hope your week is going well and you are seeing some blue skies and sunshine!This week I am going to talk about fertilizer. The reason is that I feel there is some confusion about just exactly “what is a fertilizer?” and “how do I know which one to use?”
Now keep in mind, as we go through this, I am talking about primarily lawn fertilizers. The reason this is important is that a lot of info you find online about fertilizers and fertilization is meant for farmers growing crops. It’s important for us as “lawn farmers” to not get confused with information meant for guys growing corn or soybeans.This speaks to the approach. Farmers grow a crop for one year, harvest that crop, and then start over the next year. So when they apply “fertilizer” to their fields before planting, they are essentially making a “one and done” application that will feed that crop all year from seed germination to full maturity.
And really, they have no choice in the matter – just think about a typical cornfield in the middle of July: you can’t be driving a giant fertilizer spreader through that field unless you plan on stomping down all your corn. So you have to get it all in before anything is growing. Early in the season, farmers will test their soil, apply the nutrients needed for the year, and then hope for the best. One other thing to note is that the corn plant consumes all those nutrients over the course of the season and then most of that plant taken away at harvest, not returned to the soil. When we cut our lawns however, we can return 100% of the clippings back to the soil, and our added nutrients can be used again. This is why I recommend mulching your clippings. Our crop, turfgrass, is much different than farm crops in other ways too. Simply put, it’s always there, year after year. Sure, it goes dormant in the winter and sometimes also in the summer, but it’s still there, making exchanges with the soil, for decades.So that is the first thing to think about: Fertilizing your lawn is not a “one and done” proposition. It’s an ongoing process of spoon-feeding. Think of fertilizing your lawn like you taking daily vitamins. Of note: your lawn actually feeds itself – creating its own food via the process of photosynthesis. Every time the sun comes out, it’s creating sugars to fuel itself. Technically speaking, “fertilizer” is not lawn food, it’s nutrients to support the lawn in making its own food.
Basket grass, also known by its botanical name Oplismenus hirtellus, is a graceful ornamental grass valued for its arching foliage cascading from containers and hanging baskets. Proper fertilization is key to keeping your basket grass healthy, thriving and looking its best. This comprehensive guide will provide tips on the right type of fertilizer to use, optimal frequency and method of fertilizer application, and signs to watch out for that indicate your plant needs a nutritional boost.
Understanding the Fertilizer Requirements for Basket Grass
Like all plants, basket grass needs a balanced supply of essential nutrients to support its growth and maximize its ornamental appeal. The three primary macronutrients basket grass requires are:
- Nitrogen (N) – promotes lush, green foliage and shoot growth
- Phosphorus (P) – supports root development and overall vigor
- Potassium (K) – aids drought tolerance, disease resistance, flowering
Additionally, micronutrients like calcium, magnesium and iron are also vital for various plant processes
When shopping for fertilizer, look for an NPK ratio in the range of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 to provide nutrients in the right proportions. Slow release or controlled release formulations are ideal to ensure a steady nutrient supply over 8-12 weeks.
When and How Often to Fertilize Basket Grass
Timing your fertilizer applications appropriately ensures your basket grass gets the nutrients it needs when it needs them most
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Fertilize during the active growing seasons of spring through summer. Growth slows in fall and winter.
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Apply fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing period for a steady nutrient supply.
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For best results, begin fertilizing new transplants after 3-4 weeks of planting them
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Reduce frequency to once every 8-10 weeks for mature, established plants.
Avoid over-fertilizing as excess nutrients can burn roots and leaves. It’s better to under-fertilize and increase slowly than risk fertilizer burn.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer Application Method
You can use various techniques to deliver fertilizer to your basket grass effectively:
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Liquid fertilizers – Mix with water and apply through roots for rapid nutrient absorption.
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Granular fertilizers – Sprinkle evenly around plant and water in thoroughly afterwards.
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Slow release fertilizers – Provide longer-lasting nutrition as the coated granules break down slowly over time.
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Foliar sprays – Mist diluted liquid fertilizer directly onto leaves for a quick boost when deficient.
Consider your climate and irrigation method when deciding on the fertilizer type. Liquids work well for indoor plants while granular is better suited for outdoor basket grass.
Signs Your Basket Grass Needs More Fertilizer
Monitor your plant routinely and watch for these cues that indicate it could benefit from more fertilizer:
- Paler green or yellowing leaves – nitrogen deficiency
- Reduced growth and weak stems – phosphorus deficiency
- Marginal leaf scorch – potassium deficiency
- Poor flowering and reduced vigor – micronutrient deficiency
Leaching from overwatering can also deplete soil nutrients faster. Adjust your fertilizing routine if you notice any of these symptoms.
Special Considerations for Fertilizing Basket Grass
Keep these tips in mind for optimal fertilization success:
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Avoid getting granules on foliage which can burn leaves. Scratch in carefully around drip zone.
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Do not fertilize drought-stressed plants; water thoroughly before feeding.
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Reduce frequency for indoor plants as they grow slower. Outdoor plants need more feeding.
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Lower dosage for younger and smaller plants. Increase gradually as plants mature.
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Rinse foliage after foliar feeding to prevent leaf burn from concentrated chemicals.
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Choose organic fertilizers if concerned about chemical inputs. But apply more frequently.
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Test soil periodically to check pH and actual nutrient levels before amending.
Common Fertilizing Issues to Avoid
Be vigilant and try to avoid these common fertilizer mishaps:
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Fertilizer burn – Using excessive amounts or splashing onto foliage.
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Nutrient imbalances – Overemphasizing one nutrient over others. Stick to balanced formulas.
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Root damage – High salt concentrations from overfertilizing.
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Leaching – Excess watering washes nutrients away before plants absorb them.
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Runoff – Fertilizers washing into groundwater due to rain or excessive application.
With careful fertilizing practices, your basket grass will be thriving in no time!
Troubleshooting Common Basket Grass Problems
If your basket grass plant displays issues despite regular fertilization, look out for:
- Pale leaves with green veins – Iron deficiency
- Browning leaf tips – Salt buildup from fertilizers
- Wilting, rotten roots – Overwatering
- Leaf spots or blight – Fungal diseases
- Cottony masses on leaves – Mealybug infestations
Isolate and diagnose the problem, then take appropriate correction measures to restore your plant’s health.
Achieving Optimal Growth With Proper Fertilization
Providing your basket grass with a balanced fertility regimen tailored to its needs is the key to unlocking lush, vigorous growth. Use this guide to choose the ideal fertilizer, optimal frequency and application method. Observe your plant for signs of deficiencies and adjust your routine accordingly. With attentive nutrient care, your basket grass will thrive and enhance your living spaces with its graceful charm for years to come.
What Is Lawn Fertilizer?
The fertilizers we apply are nutrients designed to support the plant in this process. Kind of like humans taking vitamins and minerals to supplement our own food intake.Here are the minerals that humans need for optimum health: Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, sulfur, cobalt, copper, fluoride, manganese, and selenium. Sometimes you can get these minerals from the food you eat – such as calcium from cheese, potassium from bananas, and sodium from the rim of your margarita. Other times you may have to take synthetically derived supplements to round out your diet. Your lawn works in a very similar way.Here are is what your lawn needs to get from the soil in order to perform optimally: Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron (there are others but these are the primary). Do you notice any similarities? That’s good because when we humans consume plants or animals that have consumed plants, that’s how we obtain many of these for ourselves.
Supplements For Your Lawn
So now that you know what your grass plants need to perform optimally, it’s your job to give them what they cannot get naturally from the soil in your yard, so we throw down fertilizers. You see, in most cases, soils in residential neighborhoods are lacking in a lot of nutrients. Sometimes this is because the soil itself is just poorly composed to begin with, and other times, it may be because the lawn has been in place for decades and consumed everything that was there anyway, especially if you bag up your clippings and take them away each week. This is where the idea of a soil test comes in – to show you what is in your soil. Here is a video on how to take a soil test, step-by-step in your yard.
The double kits are great because you can test your lawn now, thrower down and then re-test in the Fall to see how your lawn has progressed over the past few months! This is a fun project not only for you but for you to do with your kids too. In an upcoming video I’ll show you how to read and interpret the results but for now, let’s explore some fertilizer basics.
A soil test will tell you what is in your soil and what it is lacking, but there is a little more to it than that so let’s next understand what’s in typical lawn fertilizer.Macronutrients are those that the grass plant needs in the greatest quantities to perform. The big 3 are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). When you see 3 numbers on bags of fertilizer, those are representative of these 3 and they are in percentages. This is a standard – ALL fertilizers will have this analysis on the bag/jug.
Above is pictured from a general-purpose fertilizer found at box stores. The analysis 16-0-8 stands for N-P-K and tells you that 16% of the bag’s contents are nitrogen and 8% are potassium. There is no phosphorus in this product. There are 4 other macronutrients needed in lawns and they are sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. If the fertilizer you purchase contains these, it will list them elsewhere on the label in percentages.Micronutrients are just as important but are needed in much smaller quantities. Iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron are the primary micros we track for lawns. You can see in the photo below this general-purpose fertilizer contains quite a few micros, even ones I don’t typically see, like Molybdenum. That’s because it’s sold in Florida and the manufacturer, Sunniland, knows these micros are lacking in our soils.
When choosing a fertilizer to apply to your lawn, it will contain some or all of these macros and micros (micros are also referred to as “minors”). I have a couple of example soil tests that I will break down for you in an upcoming video – be sure to subscribe to The Lawn Care Nut channel if you haven’t already.
If you go to your local big-box store, most of what is there are “general purpose” fertilizers. Not everyone is going to take a soil test, I know that and so do the major manufacturers of fertilizers so they make products that just work based on general practice. Kind of like you and me eating a “standard American diet” without having any blood work done.You know what else? I can tell you from experience that 95% of professional lawn companies in the United States don’t test soil and they use general-purpose fertilizers and their lawns perform just fine. However, just like with DIYers, you also have professional “Lawn Care Nuts” who really like to dial in their strategy and maximize results and they do test their customers’ soils. My friends from Picture Perfect Lawn Maintenance in Dinwiddie, Virginia test every customer’s soil when they first start working with them. This way they give the lawn just what it needs, nothing more and nothing less.You can see their lawns as a result. Hat’s off to the team at PPLM for making this extra investment in their customers! However, as I mentioned, most don’t soil test and that’s ok too – if you are a DIYer just starting out, general-purpose fertilizers will do you fine. In fact, that’s what they are made for. For macronutrient loads (N-P-K), you’ll find general-purpose fertilizers will ALWAYS contain nitrogen.Nitrogen drives the bus – never forget that. All the other elements you apply are riding on the bus, but Nitrogen is driving it. If you want your lawn green, nitrogen is what you need upfront and always. General-purpose fertilizers will also have some potassium in most cases. As far as phosphorus, you’ll find that less and less in fertilizers off the shelf as many soils across the country already have enough phosphorus in them (phosphorus is banned in some states unless you have a soil test indicates you need it or you are establishing a new lawn). For micros, most general-purpose fertilizers will have micronutrient iron because it gives the grass a nice blue-green color. If you are looking for some good general-purpose fertilizers that I recommend, check out these two:
How to Apply Fertilizer for Beginners: A Lawn Care Guide
FAQ
How do you maintain basket grass?
Is basket grass a perennial?
Is basket grass native to Florida?