Fertilizing your lawn in Iowa is crucial for keeping it healthy and vibrant, but you may wonder whether you should water in the treatments afterward. The answer depends on the type of fertilizer used. Granular fertilizers typically need to be watered in to activate them, while liquid treatments usually don't, though some may require it. Watering after fertilizing helps the treatment absorb into the soil and prevents it from burning your grass. To ensure you do what's best for your lawn, it's always a good idea to speak with your lawn care provider, as they'll be able to tell you whether you should water and if you should wait or do it right away.

Whether you should water in fertilizer treatments depends on the type used.

Whether you should water in fertilizer treatments depends on the type used. For example, granular fertilizers typically need to be watered in afterward to activate them. These treatments are slow-release, meaning they gradually release nutrients over an extended period. So, watering them in helps them start working and absorbing into the soil.

On the other hand, liquid fertilizers usually don't need to be watered in, as they're already in an easily absorbed form and will immediately begin providing nourishment to your lawn. However, some products may require it, so it's always best to double-check.

How does watering after fertilizing help?

Large house in Des Moines, IA, with a front lawn and plants.

Watering after fertilizing helps the treatment absorb into the soil and prevents it from burning your grass. When you water after applying fertilizer, it ensures the nutrients reach the roots of your turf, where they're needed most. Additionally, it helps the treatment dissolve and spread evenly across your lawn, providing consistent nourishment to all areas.

Watering after fertilizing also prevents the treatment from sitting on top of the grass blades, which can cause them to burn. Fertilizers contain nitrogen, and when they sit on top of the grass blades, they can dry out and burn them, leading to unsightly brown spots. By watering after fertilizing, you reduce the risk of fertilizer burn and keep your lawn looking its best.

You'll want to avoid overwatering after fertilizing, as this can cause the treatment to run off and not provide the intended benefits to your lawn.

Talk With Your Lawn Care Provider About Whether You Should Water in Fertilizer Treatments

To ensure you do what's best for your lawn, it's always a good idea to speak with your lawn care provider about whether you should water in fertilizer treatments. They'll be able to tell you whether you should water and if you should wait or do it right away. After all, they have knowledge of their products and what they need after application. They'll also be able to provide you with specific instructions on how much water to use and how long to wait before watering. By following their advice, you can ensure your lawn receives the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Call us today to sign up for our lawn fertilization service!

If you're looking for experts to nourish your grass, turn to our team at A+ Lawn & Landscape! With our lawn fertilization service, you can expect routine visits from early spring until late fall to apply our nutrient-rich treatments. Not only that, but this service also includes pre- and post-emergent weed control to combat weeds at both ends of their life cycle, preventing them from competing with your turf for those nutrients. With our team, you can trust that we know when to fertilize and whether to water afterward to yield the best results for your lawn!

We offer our lawn fertilization service to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and other nearby areas in Iowa. Call us today at (515) 289-2020 to sign up for this service!