Fertilizer is a great addition to a normal lawn care routine, but it's not something that needs to be done every day. The fact of the matter is fertilizer in an abundance can be bad for your lawn and even for the environment. Depending on the type of lawn fertilizer you use, you could be spreading harsh chemicals that might be great for your lawn, but are lousy for the water supply. To make sure you only fertilize your lawn when it's needed, you need to exercise some common sense.

Before you fertilize your lawn:

* Make sure you understand what type of lawn you have and its needs. Some grass types require very little lawn fertilizers and others will require more feedings to stay lush. To lessen your lawn care work, look for lawn materials that don't require as much fertilizing throughout the growing season. This will not only save you time, but also money.

* Understand the type of fertilizer your lawn actually needs. You might find one type of lawn fertilizer works better for your turf than another. Lawn care centers, extension services and other similar outlets can help you identify the kind of grass you have and what type of lawn fertilizer would be best.

* Be aware of your lawn's growing season. Some grasses grow a lot during the summer; others tends to peak in the spring. When and how much to use lawn fertilizer will depend a lot on this along with the other factors mentioned.

* Study up on the kinds of lawn fertilizers you have at your disposal for your type of lawn. While most people want a lush, green lawn, this shouldn't be achieved at the expense of the environment. Look for lawn fertilizers that work well without introducing harsh chemicals into your back yard environment.

* Access the condition of your lawn before you choose to fertilize. You might find your grass doesn't really require a lawn fertilizer to grow well. If this is the case, consider skipping the step if at all possible to save yourself extra work and extra grass growth that will require more mowing.

* Read the instructions well. This is vital for any type of lawn fertilizer. Make sure you know what you've bought, how to apply it, when to apply it and how long to wait before watering. Lawn fertilizers that are store bought should have clear instructions and warning labels.

A good lawn fertilizer can really help make a yard look spectacular. Adding to the natural growing process, lawn fertilizers give lawns a healthy, more filled in look. This can help make your lawn look like a showplace with little work. Too much fertilizer, however, and you'll find yourself mowing your lawn a whole lot more than you wanted to.

But do be certain you understand what you're doing and how to do it. Too much is not necessarily a good thing. Take your time to research your options in lawn fertilizers and get the right one to suit your yard's individual needs.