The Grass Doctor

I way over fertilized my lawn. How long will it take for any damage to show. Is watering the only solution?

I used a slow release nitrogen product, for summer application. This is really stressing me. I keep looking out the window at the yard waiting for it to turn brown or something. HELP

Public Comments

1. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! The water will just drive the stuff down deeper and deeper.....sorry dude, but your lawn will slowly die, in spots, just keep watering it, and be prepared to re-seed...the weather is cooling down now, so it will be a good time to plant grass seed
2. It will show burn to the lawn in a matter of a few days. But if you have just applied the fertilizer you may be able to leach the soil enough to minimize the lawn burn. Soak that area very deeply for a long period of time to leach the soil.
3. Yes, water will help, but you also need to prtect against runoff. I would set up sprinklers to run about every 8 hours for an hour each, trying to have the last at 7 pm (3am, 11am and 7pm) to avoid fungal issues too.
4. it would turn brown and quickly - if you have a leaf blower that could get some of it out.
5. You need to drench your fertilzed areas. You need to leach the fert through the soil and beyond the roots, which are about 3 or 4 inches deep. Water like crazy, forget runoff and whatever else, unless you want to buy a new lawn. Pay for the water, it's cheaper than new sod or the work to install new seed properly. Water, water, water keep it drenched and hope for the best. Forget the blower idea and the first suggestin that you're screwed. drench and you'll be okay.