Stripes in a Lawn from Improper Fertilizer ApplicationUpdated 14 days ago

Seeing stripes in your lawn after fertilizing? Uneven fertilizer application can cause light and dark streaks, making your yard look patchy instead of lush and uniform. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it.

Causes of Lawn Stripes After Fertilizing

1. Overlapping or Missing Rows

   • Light green or yellow stripes → These areas didn’t get enough fertilizer due to gaps between passes.
   • Dark green stripes → These areas received extra fertilizer from overlapping passes.

2. Improper Spreader Settings

   • Setting the spreader too low results in too little fertilizer, causing pale or weak growth.
   • Setting it too high leads to excess nitrogen, creating dark streaks and possible burn spots.

3. Uneven Walking Pace

   • Walking too fast spreads fertilizer too thinly, causing light green streaks.
   • Walking too slowly delivers too much product, resulting in dark green or burnt stripes.

4. Moisture & Weather Conditions

   • Fertilizer applied right before rain may wash away unevenly, leading to inconsistent coverage.
   • Fertilizer not watered in properly can cause delayed absorption and streaking.

How to Prevent Stripes in Your Lawn

✅ Use a High-Quality Spreader – Lesco spreaders provide even, professional-grade application.

✅ Apply in Overlapping Passes – Use a 50% overlap pattern by aligning the spreader’s wheel tracks with the edge of the previous pass.

✅ Follow Proper Spreader Settings – Check the fertilizer bag for recommended spreader settings. Adjust if needed.

✅ Maintain a Consistent Walking Speed – Walk at a steady 3–3.5 mph pace for uniform application.

✅ Water the Lawn After Applying – Water in fertilizer with at least ¼ to ½ inch of irrigation to help even out absorption.

How to Fix Striped Lawns from Fertilizer Issues

🔹 For Light Green or Yellow Streaks:

• Spot-apply a light dose of fertilizer to correct under-fertilized areas.

🔹 For Dark Green Stripes:

• Mow and water regularly to allow extra nitrogen to distribute more evenly over time.

🔹 For Severe Stripes:

• Wait a few weeks and apply a balanced, light fertilizer to blend uneven growth.