Well, folks, let me tell you about the great lawn experiment I did. The big question: Is it better to fertilize before or after mowing? I’ve always been a bit of a lawn nut, striving for that perfect green carpet look, and this was bugging me for a while.
So, I started by dividing my lawn into two halves. I figured this was the best way to get a good comparison. Call it the “before” section and the “after” section. I made sure both sections got the same amount of sunlight and water because, you know, gotta keep things fair.
Getting My Hands Dirty
First up, the “before” section. I grabbed my trusty fertilizer spreader and gave this half a good dose of fertilizer. It was a bit of a workout, walking back and forth, making sure I got even coverage. After that, I mowed this section. As I was mowing, I noticed the mower kicking up a bit of the fertilizer, which made me wonder if it was all going to get wasted.
Next, I moved on to the “after” section. Here, I mowed the grass first, trying to get it nice and trim. Then, I spread the fertilizer. This felt a bit easier since the grass was shorter. Plus, I felt like the fertilizer had a clearer path to the soil.
Waiting and Watching
Now came the waiting game. I watered both sections regularly, just like I always do. Over the next few weeks, I kept a close eye on both halves of the lawn, taking notes and snapping photos. It was like being a lawn detective, trying to spot any differences.
- Week 1: Not much change, both sides looked pretty much the same.
- Week 2: The “after” section started looking a bit greener and healthier. The “before” section was okay, but not as vibrant.
- Week 3: The difference became more obvious. The “after” section was definitely thicker and greener. The “before” section was growing, but it seemed a bit patchy.
The Verdict
After a month of watching and waiting, I came to a conclusion. Fertilizing after mowing seemed to work better, at least for my lawn. The grass in the “after” section was noticeably healthier and more lush. It looked like the fertilizer had an easier time getting to the soil and doing its job.
Now, I’m not saying this is the definitive answer for everyone. Your lawn might be different, and the type of fertilizer you use could play a role too. But for me, this little experiment was pretty conclusive. From now on, I’ll be mowing first, then fertilizing. It just makes sense, and the results speak for themselves.
So, there you have it, my two cents on the great fertilizing debate. Hope this helps someone out there achieve their lawn goals. Happy gardening, everyone!
