A round 3 fertilizer application should consist of slow-release fertilizer. Summer fertilizer products contain less nitrogen than other rounds. Since grass growth in the summer is less than it is in the spring, it is not necessary to provide the lawn with a high amount of nitrogen. It is essential to pick the best formulation of fertilizer for summer growing conditions. Since summers in the Midwest consist of high humidity and temperatures over 90 degrees, use products with limited burn potential. Stabilized nitrogen products reduce burn potential because they break down slower than sulfur coated urea. Stabilized nitrogen is less volatile as well.
A round 3 application should be granular.
Liquid fertilizer products should not be used when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. We recommend using granular fertilizer because it has a low burn potential. Granular products need to be watered to become active. If you are experiencing a dry spell, do not worry. It is not necessary to activate your product until weather conditions improve. Granular fertilizer products will remain intact until moisture becomes present.
If temperatures and weather conditions allow, it is also a good idea to spot treat for broadleaf weeds. Most companies spot treat broadleaf weeds in your lawn at no additional charge if you receive a five-step program.
During the summer months, weeds such as yellow nutsedge may become present in your lawn. There are supplemental herbicide treatments for yellow nutsedge outside of a regular lawn care program. Since yellow nutsedge is a sedge weed, it will not be controlled through the use of a broadleaf herbicide product. Yellow nutsedge is an unsightly weed which can quickly spread throughout your lawn if left untreated.
Summer is also the optimal time to apply a grub preventer product to your lawn. If you have had a grub outbreak in the past, consider treating your yard with a preventer product at the same time as your round three application. Grub control products must be watered in to become effective. Stop grubs before they attack with a preventer product such as Merit.