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If you're just starting to become interested in the health of your lawn, fertilizer is probably something you are considering. Fertilizer can be an effective way to get your lawn growing beautifully, but because fertilizer contains some chemicals, there are some safety measures you need to take. Use the following tips to make sure that you protect your family, lawn and environment when you use fertilizer.
Find Out What Your Soil Needs
Before you even buy fertilizer, make sure that the fertilizer you get will help your particular lawn. Get a soil testing kit from any home improvement store, and you will be able to determine which nutrients your soil needs. Getting a soil kit will protect your lawn from being treated with the wrong chemicals.
Wear Gloves and Goggles
You may not see your neighbor using protective gear, but that doesn't mean you can avoid it. Some of the chemicals in fertilizer can burn your skin, so make sure you put on gloves before you start spraying. Goggles are also a good idea, as fertilizer can splash into your eyes. You can also wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact with the fertilizer.
Don't Overdo It
To protect your lawn, it is important that you apply fertilizer with a light hand. While your soil needs the nutrients that fertilizer provides, too much can cause damage. Use just enough to cover your lawn, not saturate it. Even if you don't think you sprayed too much, don't allow your kids and pets to go out on the lawn right away, so they can avoid skin contact with fertilizer that isn't immediately soaked up by soil.
Fertilizer can also contaminate your local water supply, so be sure to clean any excess fertilizer that gets on your driveway or road; that way, it will not be washed into storm drains after a rain storm.
Store it Away from Children and Pets
When you are done using the fertilizer, if you're like many people, you will store it in your garage. However, children and pets can get into your garage. Even if they don't want to play with the fertilizer, they may knock it over as they play or run about. Make sure that you keep fertilizer off the ground and out of reach.
Use the tips above, and you will be able to have a gorgeous lawn in a way that doesn't harm anyone or anything. If you need help, get in touch with a landscaper like Fertilawn who can make sure that your lawn looks great.
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