Granular fertilizer consists of small, solid pellets containing nutrients for healthy turf growth. These pellets are spread across the lawn surface, slowly releasing their contents into the soil. You generally should not mow immediately after application, as timing affects the product’s effectiveness. Allowing the fertilizer to settle and dissolve ensures the grass receives the full benefit.
The Importance of Granule Placement
Mowing too soon after applying granular fertilizer risks physically displacing the product before it can begin working. Standard rotary mowers create a vacuum effect to lift grass blades for an even cut, and this same force can lift and scatter the dry pellets. Disrupting this process leads to significant waste, as the fertilizer is designed to move from the grass surface down to the soil.
The nutrients within the pellets must make contact with the soil to dissolve and become available for absorption by the grass roots. If the granules are picked up by the mower’s discharge chute or bagging system, they are removed from the lawn. This results in a loss of product and reduced nutrient delivery. Scattering the pellets can also cause uneven distribution, leading to patchy areas of growth.
Optimal Waiting Periods for Mowing
The duration you must wait before mowing is tied to the fertilizer’s activation, which occurs when it dissolves into the soil. A general recommendation is to wait between 24 and 48 hours following the application of granular fertilizer. This timeframe ensures the product is watered in.
The granules require thorough watering or heavy rainfall to dissolve the solid pellets and move the nutrients into the root zone. Once the fertilizer has completely dissolved, it is securely in the soil and can no longer be disturbed or picked up by a mower.
If you water the lawn immediately after application, the waiting period can begin sooner, but you must wait until the grass blades are fully dry before operating a mower. Mowing wet grass can lead to clumping and an uneven cut. If watering is delayed in hot, dry weather, the full 48-hour period, or even longer, should be observed until the granules have fully melted away.
Mowing Before Fertilizing: A Better Strategy
Shifting the sequence of your lawn care tasks eliminates the concern of disturbing recently applied fertilizer. Mowing immediately before spreading the granular product is the most effective strategy for ensuring proper nutrient delivery. This practice ensures the grass is short, allowing the pellets to fall unimpeded directly onto the soil surface.
When the grass is kept short, there are fewer obstacles for the granules to get caught on, facilitating quicker contact with the soil. This improved contact is beneficial once water is applied, as dissolved nutrients can more easily penetrate the turf layer and reach the roots.
Cutting the grass just before fertilization means you will not need to mow again for several days, naturally providing time for the product to dissolve and be absorbed. This adjustment in timing maximizes the effectiveness of the fertilizer application and promotes a uniformly nourished lawn.