A deep green, thriving lawn requires consistent care and the timely application of nutrients. To maximize the benefits of your lawn food and ensure healthy growth, you should mow before you fertilize. Mowing first is an important step in the process, setting the stage for nutrient delivery. This sequence ensures the fertilizer works exactly as intended, feeding the plant’s root system for a lush, resilient turf.
The Recommended Sequence
The fundamental reason for mowing before applying fertilizer relates to maximizing the contact between the granular product and the soil. Tall grass blades create a dense canopy that acts as a barrier, catching the fertilizer granules before they can reach the ground. When granules sit on the grass blades, they are less effective and can lead to uneven nutrient distribution across the lawn. This uneven application can result in a patchy appearance where some areas are over-fertilized while others remain under-fed.
Fertilizer is primarily intended to feed the soil and the plant’s roots, not the leaf blades themselves. If the granules remain stuck in the tall grass, they are more likely to cause fertilizer burn, especially if the weather is hot or the lawn is dry. Shortening the grass removes this barrier, allowing the tiny pellets to fall directly to the soil surface. This direct contact is essential for the nutrients to dissolve and be absorbed efficiently by the root system.
Optimal Lawn Preparation for Fertilization
Achieving the correct grass height immediately before fertilization is the most important preparatory step. A good rule of thumb is to cut the grass at its normal, healthy height, following the “one-third rule.” This rule states you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s total height in a single mow. For most turf types, this leaves the grass short enough to allow the fertilizer to fall to the soil but not so short that the plant becomes stressed. Waiting about 24 to 48 hours after mowing before applying the fertilizer gives the grass a short recovery period from the stress of being cut.
You should also ensure the lawn is dry before beginning the application process. Applying granular fertilizer to wet grass is inadvisable because the moisture causes the granules to stick to the moist leaf blades. When stuck to the blades, the concentrated salts in the fertilizer can scorch the grass, leading to localized yellowing or browning. It is best to bag the clippings during the pre-fertilization mow. This prevents a dense layer of freshly cut grass from interfering with the fertilizer distribution and creating a barrier on the soil surface.
The Timing and Post-Application Steps
The timeline immediately following the mow is important for a successful application. After mowing, it is recommended to wait a day or two before spreading the fertilizer to allow the grass to recover slightly from the cut. Applying fertilizer to actively growing turf that has had a brief moment to rest ensures it is in the best condition to absorb the incoming nutrients. Once the granular fertilizer is spread, the most important post-application step is thorough watering.
Watering immediately after applying granular fertilizer is necessary to activate the nutrients and wash the granules off the grass blades and down to the soil. This action prevents fertilizer burn and starts the process of dissolving the nutrient coating so the roots can access the food source. Once the fertilizer has been watered in, you should avoid mowing again for at least 24 to 48 hours. Mowing too soon after application can disrupt the settling process, potentially picking up or displacing the granules and leading to an uneven distribution of nutrients.