Carlsbad Lawns | Fertilize For Better Weed Control

Weeds Thrive In Southeast New Mexico Soil

A beautiful lawn in Carlsbad treated with weed control and fertilizer.
Weed Free Fertilized Lawn In Carlsbad

The soil in Southeast New Mexico has a lot to be desired as far as nutrients for good plant growth. Supplemental fertilizer is almost always a must in most areas.

A large part of Carlsbad's soil is dominantly sand and limestone which holds little or no organic nutrients at all. Weeds and especially the most common weeds in Southeast New Mexico often seem to be the only vegetation that grow well in it.

The soil in and around Carlsbad is varied in composition. Sand, caliche, clay, and some fertile soil make up the base. The same limestone reef that created Carlsbad Caverns also has a part in creating some our soil and is responsible for the alkalinity.

Along with the alkalinity, there is a lot of sand which is void of any organics and nutrients bleed right through it. The sandy soil along the Pecos River which was once fertile farm soil, has been leeched of most nutrients.

The soil throughout the rest of town is pretty much what you might just call "dirt". The closer you get to C-Hill and the Living Desert State Park, the more alkaline and rocky it gets. This is of course because the Guadalupe Mountains which make up our foot hills are one large limestone rock.

How Does Fertilizing Kill Weeds?

Fertilizing your lawn doesn't actually kill weeds directly. I'll say it again. The best weed control in lawns (besides concrete) is a thick healthy stand of turf grass that leaves no room for invasive unwanted weeds to gain a foothold. Fertilizing thickens up the turf to help crowd out the weeds.

And while this is often easier said than done, it's not unobtainable. Even so, it can still take several seasons and a lot of work to reach that point. However, once this goal is reached, it's a lot less work to keep a yard healthy and weed free.

Proper fertilizing, along with other steps like proper watering and pre emergent, plays a very important role in weed control by building up Carlsbad's infertile soil. Weed spraying is just part of our service focused on developing the entire health of the lawn. Weed control spray treatments alone just won't do it. Besides the obvious reason that it helps create a healthy yard that can more successfully choke out weeds, it also helps in controlling sand bur and many other opportunistic weeds that prefer an infertile soil in order to thrive.

While the mechanics of actually spreading fertilizer on the lawn are simple, proper methods are often overlooked, misunderstood, or not known at all. Improper applications can actually make the turf grass weaker or have little benefit at all.

When And How Much Fertilizer To Use?

Fertilizer spreader and two bags of fertilizer as part of a complete weed control program.
Lawn Fertilizer And Spreader

First, it's important to know what type of lawn turf you have. Different lawn types have different nutrient requirements. Knowing this will help you decide what type and how much fertilizer to use.

For most folks, a fertilizing program consists of a heavy application of high nitrogen fertilizer in the Spring and generally nothing else for the rest of the growing season. This usually produces a very green fast growing lawn for about six weeks along with the need to mow every three days or so.

The desired results are there...at first. However, long term results can be minimal along with some not so obvious problems later in the Summer and in the grass plants themselves.

While a heavy nitrogen application can produce a fast thick beautifully green colored lawn to start, it can actually create very weak plants with very little root system that can't withstand disease and drought. This in turn will eventually leave a very thin stand of turf with lots of room for invasive weeds.

Also, nitrogen is very soluble and readily available in most commercial fertilizers and plants will absorb as much as they can and more than necessary while it is available. Then it's gone. For good lawn health and weed control, it's best to apply several light fertilizer applications over the growing season rather than one or two heavy applications all at once. This helps ensure that there is always an adequate supply throughout the season rather than a shot in the arm and then nothing.

While this may seem expensive, it doesn't have to be. That is, unless you have a lawn the size of The Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center which most folks don't. You don't need to use the expensive name brands with the words turf or feed in them. The less expensive tree foods or crop formulas from feed stores will usually be adequate as long as they have both micro and macro nutrients in them.

For good lawn health and weed control, it's best to apply several light fertilizer applications over the growing season rather than one or two heavy applications all at once.

While some manufacturers instructions on the bag recognize and follow this approach, most don't. And while the manufacturers generally give proper application amounts per application, the nitrogen is generally depleted before the next suggested application. Remember what I said about nitrogen being very soluble and that plants will use more than they need until it's gone?

Macro & Micro Fertilizer Nutrients

Most lawn fertilizers will have phosphorous and potassium along with the nitrogen which are generally the most vital, utilized, and necessary elements required for good healthy plants and root systems. These are called Macro Nutrients. However, these aren't the only nutrients required for healthy plant growth. Plants also need a periodic micro nutrient supplement.

While most soils will have adequate amounts of the lesser micro nutrients available, it's still good practice to supplement the soil with one application of a full spectrum macro and micro nutrient fertilizer once every three years or so. Some lawn fertilizers do have minor amounts of iron, zinc, copper, etc. in them or it may be necessary to incorporate a general purpose or tree food mix into the program. Once every three years is generally more than enough for most soils.

Some lawn fertilizers do have minor amounts of iron, zinc, copper, etc. in them or it may be necessary to incorporate a general purpose or tree food mix into the program.

A Word About Soil PH

Proper soil PH is critical for proper nutrient uptake in lawn grass and other plants. For example, there could be plenty of iron in the soil but if the soil ph is incorrect, it will be locked up in the soil and the lawn can't access or use it. And with common fertilizers, it doesn't matter how much you apply, it won't be accessible.

Proper soil PH for most grass types is 6 to 7 which is slightly acidic to neutral. Generally, the soil around here in Carlsbad, Artesia, and Southeast New Mexico is a bit on the alkaline side. For alkaline soils some agricultural sulfur may be necessary to bring it in balance. For acidic soils, a bit of lime may be necessary.

If a fertilizer application doesn't bring a dull lawn to proper healthy color, it's best to do a PH test before you go dump another application on it. You could have plenty of nutrients in the soil but the plants simply can't access it and use it.

Inexpensive soil ph and nutrient test kits are usually available at hardware stores, do it yourself centers, or online.

A Word About Winterizing Fertilization

Winterizing with fertilizer is an important step for cool season grasses like Fescue that stay green in the colder months. Obviously, if they're green, there's something still going on there. And while this can easily be applied with granular or mixed with a fall weed control application, the nutrient requirements are different at this time of year. A fertilizer with very little nitrogen and medium amounts of phosphorus and potassium is best for root production and preparation for Spring.

Warm season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine that go dormant in the colder weather do not need winterizing in the Fall. While the grass plants are still somewhat active at the root level preparing for next season, they don't need added nutrients.

Late Fall fertilizing of warm season grasses can actually cause great harm to the turf. A late Fall application of nitrogen and other nutrients can stimulate unwanted growth as the turf is trying to go dormant. And if the plants are green and growing when a freeze happens, it will kill the grass that is growing leaving bare spots in the Spring. And bare areas not only mean an ugly lawn but are also areas where weeds can set up home.

While it may not seem as direct a link to weed control as pulling weeds, herbicides, and pre emergent applications, fertilizing is a very important step in a long term lawn weed prevention program.

Professional Weed Control Service

Horizon provides service to all of Eddy County New Mexico. Along with fertilizing and weed control treatments, we're available for advice. In Carlsbad give Horizon Weed And Pest Control Services a call for service today at 575-725-9331.

We're more than just a company that sprays for weeds. For our spraying service or for questions about Southeast New Mexico and Carlsbad's soil, we're always happy to offer advice and help out.