Choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn can be a real challenge especially if you are just starting out and don’t exactly have a clue what to use. However, when it comes to choosing lawn fertilizer products, there are three important elements that are needed for the proper growth of your lawn and plants. These are: hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
While these nutrients are readily available in the environment, there are also certain nutrients that are not readily available to plants especially those that do not exactly stay long in soil and need to be replenished on a regular basis.
Each of the nutrients contained in lawn fertilizers have a critical role to play in the overall health and survival of your plants. By applying fertilizers, you can be sure these nutrients are available to them.
Among the important macronutrients among plants include phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Secondary nutrients that are also required include magnesium and calcium but both in lesser quantities. You should also check for boron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chlorine, zinc, nickel and molybdenum to complete your list.
With the much publicized adverse reactions of chemical fertilizers, the availability of organic varieties presents a great alternative for many. Milorganite is an organic nitrogen fertilizer that can be used on a variety of applications such as shrubs, lawns, vegetables, trees, flowers and even gold courses.
This 36-pound bag contains 4% iron that is non-staining, which is just the right amount to bring out that attractive lush green hue. You can actually apply this fertilizer any time within the growing season and it’s known to work well with any type of climate.
The organic fertilizer is composed of heat-dried microbes and has met the EPA standards, which imposes one of the stringent criteria in the industry when it comes to protecting the health, safety and environment.
Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer is a superior blend of fish bone meal, feather meal, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, soft rock phosphate, fish meal, mined potassium sulfate, humic acid, seaweed extract, pro-biotic seven champion strains of beneficial soil microbes plus Ecto and Endo Mycorrhizae. Primary Uses: Feed tomatoes, Summer vegetables, Winter vegetables, Herbs, Root crops, Established vegetables and During transplanting. 5-7-3 formulation. This is the second year I have used this product and I even begin to say just how awesome it is!! Last year I had tomatoes that weighed over 2 lbs and lots of them. And the bloom boost is the best I have ever found, my flowers are just going crazy, and the flowers last a long time. I totally recommend this product!!
A green lawn is a healthy lawn, and a healthy lawn is a product of a thriving ecosystem within your soil. That’s why Safer Brand has created Lawn Restore II – an organic fertilizer that immediately goes to work to ensure the proper balance of natural elements in your soil, in turn giving you a healthier, greener lawn in just 3-5 days. Backed by over a quarter-century of research and development, this formula is the best choice for any turf; use it to promote greening in fresh sod, or bring life back to existing grass. Number One reason to use, It's safe for humans as well as pets. Well I should qualify this, its the safest I have found so far.
100% Natural & Organic fertilizer for All Purpose and easy to use. Maximizes microorganism activity for healthier and stronger soil & plants. It provides organic matter essential for microorganisms. It is one of the building blocks for fertile soil rich in humus. Develops bigger & stronger root to improve the structure of the plant and increase it’s ability to hold water and more nutrients. Greater resistance to disease and insect attacks. Never harms soil & plants. No danger of over concentration. No danger of over concentration. Once a healthy soil condition is reached, it is easier to maintain that level with less work.
This is an amazing fertilizer! I started growing an avocado tree about a year ago and my fertilizer didn't work on my tree. After countless types of fertilizer I came upon this Pro Organic All Purpose fertilizer. I used it on my tree and after about a month it started growing! I strongly suggest you buy this if you plant anything.
How fertilizer helps your lawn
Fertilizer helps to provide the required nutrients in the soil that plants, including lawn grass, need to successfully grow. Three of the elements that are vital include carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. In addition, there are other nutrients, which are quickly depleted from the soil that require replenishing. This is accomplished through the application of fertilizer.
Macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium come in second behind oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, but are still important. Secondary nutrients such as magnesium and calcium are not as important, but smaller amounts can give your plants the boost that they need. Micronutrients including manganese, cobalt, copper, iron, chlorine, boron, molybdenum, zinc and nickel complete the nutritional checklist to ensure that your lawn is receiving all of the nutrition that it needs to thrive. These are the ingredients that a high quality fertilizer should contain. Read more about how to apply lawn fertilizer.
Different types of fertilizers
The two main types of fertilizers are granular and liquid. Liquid forms act very quickly as they are absorbed into the plant. These are usually purchased in a concentrated form that you dilute with water and apply every 2 to 3 weeks. They may either be applied with a watering can or hose end sprayer.
Granular fertilizers are sprinkled on the surface of the ground by hand for smaller areas or with a mechanical spreader for larger areas. They are used in a dry form so will require watering after they are used. Granular fertilizers are divided into two different classes. Quick release fertilizers usually last for 3 to 4 weeks before any additional applications are needed.
This type is water soluble nitrogen and is good for any general fertilizing use. Slow release granules are water insoluble nitrogen fertilizers which are intended for specific uses. They come in either sulfur coated with lasts for around 8 weeks or polymer coated with lasts for up to 12 weeks.
Different types of lawn fertilizers
Your lawn has changing nutritional needs at different times of the year. Here are a few tips for helping you to select the right fertilizer formulation that will help to encourage the establishment of new grass and to keep it healthy throughout the seasonal cycles.
Starter fertilizers and winterizers
These mixtures are recommended for new lawns and as they are heavy on phosphorus to encourage healthy root growth. For the last fall application, a winterizer that is also heavy on phosphorus will provide nutrients for root preservation during the winter months.
Weed and Feed
Fertilizer formulations that are known as Weed and Feed mixtures contain weed killers in a dual purpose mix that kills broadleaf weeds while nourishing lawn grass. This is useful for helping to eliminate noxious weeds such as crabgrass and dandelions. When a weed and feed product contains post emergent weed killers, they are intended for weeds that are already present and can be seen. Those containing pre-emergents are intended for killing weeds at the germination stage, but do not kill weeds that have already broken through the ground.
What to look for in lawn fertilizer
The bags that contain the fertilizer are clearly marked with a set of three numbers. The numbers represent, in this order, the amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium that are included in the fertilizer. The numbers are known as the NPK. These are the main ingredients. Nitrogen helps in the development of leaves and for producing a healthy green color. Phosphorus promotes root growth and Potassium or potash also assists root development and helps plants to become more disease resistant.
The numbers represent the percentages of the given nutrient, so you will know which ingredients are predominant. This is helpful in choosing a mix that will either promote more leaf growth, green your grass or reinforce the root system. Inert ingredients are necessary for helping to distribute the fertilizer, so don’t be alarmed if there is a fairly high percentage in the bag. This does not lessen the effect of the other ingredients and it can actually be beneficial in preventing chemical burn.
In the event that weeds become a problem, the application of a weed and feed blend will help to eradicate any broad leaf weeds such as dandelions, which can become a nuisance. Look for weed and feed products that are formulated to kill the types of weeds that you see most in your lawn grass. In most cases, these are clearly indicated on the bag.
Conclusion
Lawns require very specific formulations with include nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. There are different mixtures that serve a variety of purposes for lawn health. Fertilizers that are intended for other plants may not work as well for grass, so when shopping, look for the fertilizers that are specifically designed for use in lawn care.
Even if your lawn looks green and healthy, it is important to remember that grass has the need for nutritional elements that may initially exist within the soil, but may be fairly quickly depleted. Replenishing the nutrients is accomplished through the application of the recommended formulation of lawn fertilizer. You now have the information about what your lawn needs to maintain good health throughout all seasons of the year. By following the simple tips included in this guide, you are prepared to choose the lawn fertilizer that will work best to promote optimum lawn health.
