Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What is true about applying dry fertilizer to a lawn?

1. Dry fertilizer should only be applied late in the day

2. It is a good practice to water-in dry fertilizer applied to a lawn

3. Apply dry fertilizer just after a rain

4. Apply dry fertilizer in the early morning when the grass is wet from the dew

The correct answer is: It is a good practice to water-in dry fertilizer applied to a lawn

Applying dry fertilizer to a lawn is most effective when it is watered in afterwards. This practice helps dissolve the fertilizer granules, allowing nutrients to penetrate the soil and become available for grass roots. Without this step, the fertilizer might remain on the surface, leading to uneven nutrient distribution and potential harm to the grass due to chemical burn. Watering in the fertilizer also helps to activate the release of nutrients. It encourages the microbes in the soil to break down the fertilizer and make nutrients available to the plants, enhancing overall lawn health. While other options may have some basis in practical advice, they do not address the optimal method for ensuring the fertilizer is effectively utilized. For example, applying fertilizer when it’s cooler or wet from dew might seem beneficial, yet it doesn’t guarantee that the nutrients will penetrate the soil effectively as the watering-in process does.