How To Apply Fertilizer Turf fertilizers can be sprayed on as a liquid or broadcast as granules. If using liquid fertilizers, carefully read the directions on both the sprayer and fertilizer to make sure the correct amount is used. Liquid fertilizers are water soluble and not slow release. Some liquid fertilizers come premixed in a container that apaches directly to the garden hose. It is difficult to calculate how much to apply in order to achieve recommended rate of N per 1,000 square feet.
Granular fertilizers are easier to apply evenly to lawns and require less time.
Whichever method is used, it is important to make sure only the grass gets the fertilizer. Do not fertilize areas located next to stream environment zones or roadside ditches. Any fertilizer that ends upon driveways, sidewalks or other unguarded areas should be swept onto the turf. Fertilizers need to reach the plant roots in order to be used. Therefore, any application should be immediately followed by alight irrigation which will not cause runoff, but will soak into the soil to a depth of two to three inches.