• Fertilizing supplies nutrients needed during the high demands of the growing season. 
• A vigorous and healthy lawn resists weeds.
• Proper nutrition protects your grass from pest infestations and helps it recover should one occur.
• A thriving lawn is more resilient to traffic.
• Proper pH is maintained in your soil.
• Nitrogen is supplied for leaf and shoot growth and a deep green color.
• Phosphorous is provided for establishing seedlings and root growth.
• Potassium is given for greater tolerance to hot and cold weather and against wear.
• An application of fertilizer in the fall prepares your lawn for winter and speeds its recovery in the spring.
• Fertilizing establishes new lawns and maintains established lawns.

Customizing The Application

Not all applications of fertilizer should be the same. The temperature and amount of rainfall help to determine when is the best time to apply fertilizer. There is also a greater need to fertilize when the grass is at the peak of its growing season. The faster the grass grows, the more nutrients it needs. A soil test will show exactly how much nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium should be applied.

Trees

Usually trees and shrubs will get most of the nutrients they need from the fertilizer that is put on the lawn. Yet, this means that the lawn will be losing some of the nutrients that it needs to grow and be healthy. Fertilizing trees and shrubs ensures that both they and the lawn get all the nutrients that are required.

Trees and shrubs planted next to drive-ways or sidewalks naturally can't get any nutrients through the concrete or asphalt. This can give rise to deficiencies that will be compensated for by fertilizing.

Some Benefits of Mulch

• Mulch makes plant beds look better
• Mulch prevents weeds from germinating and can kill off many small weeds
• Mulch that is organic provides warmth as it decays, helping protect plants in winter months
• Mulch, such as pine bark, keeps the soil cooler than it would be in direct sunlight
• Mulch lessens the evaporation of moisture
• Mulch helps protect against soil erosion and keeps rain from splashing mud against the house
• Mulch keeps fungus spores and nematodes from splashing up against plants and causing disease to spread

Mulching leaves is far easier than bagging them. It is also better for the environment than burning them. Oak leaves supply good nutrients to the soil and are especially beneficial for plants such as azaleas which require acidic soil.

Remember to adjust the amount of water you give to a mulched plant bed. Though the moisture is retained better, it also needs to be able to get past the layer of mulch. If a weed block is used, some of the water will run off before permeating the cloth.

Useful Composting Resources

• Burpee Composter
• Compost Guide
• Plow & Hearth Composter