Get matched with top lawn fertilization and treatment specialists in Edgar, NE

First, you should figure out whether you have dormant or dead grass. Dead grass won’t come back, so you’ll have to reseed if you’re hoping for a lush lawn. However, grass can go dormant if it hasn’t received enough water or if temperatures are too cold. If it’s still decently warm outside, you can revive dormant grass by watering it. But if it’s mid-January in New England, for example, you’ll need to wait until the weather warms up again. If you want to keep grass green in winter, consider a grass like Kentucky bluegrass, which maintains its color year-round.

The best fertilizer for early spring is an organic slow-release fertilizer that sets up your lawn for continued good health and vigorous growth throughout the whole growing season. If your lawn is particularly neglected or has specific issues, you may need an application of quick-release fertilizer alongside a slow-release one for an immediate boost. 

If your lawn has a higher pH than recommended for your type of grass or it looks yellow, sulfur can help. If your lawn is slow to grow and not very lush, it could also benefit from a  higher sulfur content. Sandy soil is especially vulnerable to sulfur deficiencies.

The best fertilizer for thick Bermuda grass is an organic fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio high in nitrogen, low in phosphorus, and low in potassium. Organic fertilizers help Bermuda grass grow stronger and healthier by retaining water well, supporting microbiome life, and promoting long-term soil health. However, this type of fertilizer is more expensive than synthetic fertilizers.