Can I fertilize during drought conditions?

Applying fertilizer during drought conditions can cause permanent lawn damage. In dry soil, the nutrients are not absorbed. Instead, the fertilizer's salts remain in the dry soil and burn the roots of the grass or plant. I have witnessed many clients completely lose their Zoysia lawns after they applied a granular fertilizer during the droughts in Texas. And this took almost 18 months and the complete replacement of soil to repair!

Legalit, determined by regional drought thresholds; California prohibits all fertilizer applications during Stage 3 water restrictions; Texas permits liquid iron to be used when soil moisture is below 40%; a client in Phoenix had been fined 2k for applying compost tea during severe drought - essentially a violation of the drought threshold regulations, as organic products are still regulated when aquifers are tapped.

Recuperation from drought necessitates patience. Before beginning any fertilizer applications, ensure you have received 1" of rainfall, plus 14 days of measuring soil moisture above 12%. A Las Vegas customer's 'Bermudagrass lawn recovered using this approach, where soil and turf testing showed 78% nutrient retention versus 9% nutrient retention during an application made to bring a side of 'Bermudagrass back during a drought.

Read the full article: When to Fertilize Lawn: By Region & Grass Type