In the water soluble form the nitrogen is available quickly, and in the insoluble form it is available slowly. A good turf fertilizer contains some of each kind of nitrogen. The slow release portion provides nitrogen over a period of time but is not available to the plant during cool weather. The soluble fraction, or fast release, will provide nitrogen almost immediately after application and during cool weather. Fertilization during these times will benefit lawns more than any other practice.
Most homeowners place too much emphasis on spring and summer fertilization.
Heat and drought tolerance are usually better, thus enhancing summer lawn quality. Finally, the grass plant produces more root mass and a deeper root system, resulting in an overall healthier plant. A general fertilization schedule for homeowners interested in a moderate to high-quality lawn is provided below. Any fertilizer may burn the turf if applied improperly. Fast release nitrogen is more likely to burn than slow release forms.