The plethora of fertilizer alternatives on the local garden center’s shelf likely left you feeling overwhelmed if you’re a first-time homeowner or a landscaping novice. Once more, what do the three numbers on the bags mean? Is it possible for your grass to distinguish between granular and liquid fertilizer?
It shouldn’t be difficult to get the best fertilizer for your lawn. For this reason, we’re going over all the fundamentals of fertilizer so you know exactly what to look for. Your next trip to the garden store will be a picnic by the time you finish reading this article.
We’ll go over everything you require:
- Fertilizer: what is it?
- Why is fertilization necessary?
- N-P-K: What is it?
- How can I determine the fertilizers my lawn requires?
- Home-based soil analysis
- Soil test in a lab
- What kinds of fertilizer are there?
- Fertilizer in granular form
- fertilizer in liquid form
- Comparing chemical and organic fertilizers
- Organic fertilizer
- Inorganic fertilizer
- What is my required amount of fertilizer?
- When is the right time to fertilize?
- How should fertilizer be applied?
- Granular fertilizer application
- Using fertilizer in liquid form
- Make wise purchases for your grass.
Fertilizer: what is it?
Any chemical or natural material that is given to the soil to improve soil fertility and provide nourishment for plants is called fertilizer.
Why is fertilization necessary?
Your lawn has to be balanced, just like your meals do. Your grass gets its nutrients from the earth, but it doesn’t get all it requires when the soil’s nutrition levels are low. Just as when you take your vitamins in the morning, your turf requires fertilizer additives.
Fertilizing your lawn not only improves its appearance and health but also makes it more resistant to disease, weeds, and pests.
N-P-K: What is it?
You’ve probably seen the three numbers on the product label when you’re shopping for fertilizer. What do they mean, though? The figures represent the fertilizer’s levels of potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N).
The three critical nutrients your grass requires to grow large and robust are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (often referred to as potash in fertilizer contexts). Of the three, nitrogen is the most crucial. These three elements are listed in fertilizers in the following order: N-P-K.
For instance, a fertilizer label with the numbers 30-0-10 indicates that it contains 10% potassium, 30% nitrogen, and 0% phosphorus. Iron, zinc, calcium, sulfur, and other nutrients or micronutrients may also be present in some fertilizers. Check the product label if you’re seeking a particular nutrient.
How can I determine the fertilizers my lawn requires?
The best method to find out which nutrients are lacking in the soil for your turf is to perform a soil test. You have two options: send a soil sample to your neighborhood cooperative extension office or do your own soil test at home.
Home-based soil analysis
You may obtain fast findings from the comfort of your backyard with at-home soil testing. A soil test conducted at home will show:
Regardless of whether your soil is alkaline, neutral, or acidic
Determine whether the levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) in your soil are “deficient,” “adequate,” or “surplus.”
Soil testing kits come in a wide variety. Chemical color dyes, pH test strips, and electronic pH meters are the three most popular varieties. Some kits may not be exactly like the descriptions below, so be sure to read the instructions.
Chemical color dyes: This kind of test involves making several soil and water mixes. The three main nutrients—potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen—will be represented by the chemical colors. The water will change color as soon as the chemical dyes are added to each batch. Next, you will match the color of each mixture to the color chart for nutrient levels.
pH test strips: To perform this test, dip a strip into a solution of water and soil. The pH level will cause the strip to change color. To find the pH level, compare the color of the strip to the given color guide.
Electronic pH meter: To find the pH of the soil-water mixture, insert the probe of the electronic meter into it.
Soil test in a lab
Although at-home soil test kits are quick and easy to use, they are not as accurate as laboratory-based soil tests.
An at-home soil test yields generic, word-based results, whereas a soil test conducted at a local cooperative extension yields numerical nutritional values, such as parts per million (ppm).
While a lab test can identify many other nutrients, an at-home soil test only evaluates N, P, and K.
The ideal N-P-K fertilizer ratio for your grass will be determined by a laboratory test.
To find out how to take a soil sample, get in touch with the cooperative extension office in your area. Using sanitized instruments, the office will probably ask you to collect several soil samples from the yard.
What kinds of fertilizer are there?
Granular fertilizers and liquid fertilizers are the two most popular varieties of fertilizer. Whether you use a liquid or granular fertilizer, your grass will absorb the same amount of nutrients. However, each fertilizer has a different effect on your lawn. Put differently, your turf is unable to distinguish between the two.
Fertilizer in granular form
Granular fertilizer is a type of dry fertilizer that is frequently packaged as pellets. The majority of granular lawn fertilizer is slow-release, meaning that over an extended period of time, nutrients are released to the grass gradually.
Advantages:
✓ Long-term grass health is promoted with slow-release fertilizer.
✓ Your grass can be supported for weeks or months by slow-release fertilizer.
The shelf life of granular fertilizers is generally longer than that of liquid fertilizers.
✓ Granular fertilizers are frequently less costly than liquid fertilizers, particularly when purchased in large quantities.
Limitations:
✗ Spreading granular fertilizer is more physically demanding than spreading liquid fertilizer.
✗ Granular fertilizers typically don’t provide a dying grass with nutrients quickly enough.
✗ It’s not the best fertilizer to start grass seed with.
✗ It might occasionally be challenging to evenly distribute granular fertilizer over the yard. Poor nutrient distribution may result from granular fertilizers that contain large volumes of dust, fragmented particles, and pellets of varying sizes, according to PennState Extension. Using products with consistent particle sizes and low levels of dust and broken granules is advised by the extension.
Fertilizer in liquid form
Usually, liquid fertilizer starts off as a dry, water-soluble material that dissolves in water or as a concentrated fluid that is diluted in water. The majority of liquid fertilizers are quick-release, meaning the grass will start receiving nutrients right away.
Advantages:
✓ Each drop of liquid fertilizer contains the same ratio of nutrients, in contrast to granular fertilizer, which is made up of dust and broken granules.
✓ As soon as fertilization occurs, turf can start absorbing the nutrients.
✓ Applying liquid fertilizer requires less physical effort than applying granular fertilizer.
✓ For dying lawns, liquid fertilizer offers an instant nutrient boost.
✓ Compared to slow-release granular fertilizer, quick-release liquid fertilizer exhibits results sooner.
✓ Liquid fertilizer is a great initial fertilizer for new lawns since it delivers nutrients immediately.
Drawbacks:
✗ Grass will absorb nutrients more quickly than slow-release fertilizer since all of the nutrients are available after fertilization. Consequently, it is usually necessary to reapply liquid fertilizer after a few weeks.
✗ Granular fertilizer usually lasts longer than liquid fertilizer.
✗ If you fertilize cool-season grass in the early spring, liquid fertilizer may occasionally cause a growth spike. Excessive growth can promote quick shoot development and impede root development, increasing the grass’s susceptibility to disease, pests, and stress.
✗ Granular fertilizer is typically less expensive than liquid fertilizer.
Comparing chemical and organic fertilizers
You’ll soon discover that some fertilizers are organic and others are inorganic when you browse the store shelves for your plant nourishment. What distinguishes these two items, aside from their obvious price differences?
Fertilizer made of organic materials
Plants or animals are the source of organic fertilizers. Blood meal, fish emulsion, and compost are a few types of organic fertilizers.
Advantages:
✓ For the best lawn health, most organic fertilizers release nutrients gradually.
✓ Organic fertilizers enhance the soil’s structure and add more organic matter.
✓ Compost tea is one of the organic fertilizers that may be made at home.
✓ Compared to inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers are less likely to burn your lawn.
✓ Organic fertilizers are less likely to be lost to the environment through runoff or leaching, according to the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension.
Drawbacks:
✗ The breakdown of organic fertilizers is dependent on soil organisms. When soil temperatures are too low and soil organisms are dormant, the majority of organic fertilizers lose their effectiveness.
✗ It’s frequently unclear what nutrients are accessible.
✗ Low amounts of essential plant nutrients are common.
There is a chance that it contains weed seeds.
It might potentially include pathogens such as E. Salmonella or E. Coli, particularly in manure that hasn’t been adequately composted.
✗ Overuse of organic fertilizers can harm groundwater just as much as overuse of inorganic fertilizers, according to the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Fertilizer that is not organic
Often referred to as synthetic or chemical fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers are produced with a high concentration of primary nutrients, primarily potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Advantages:
Both slow-release and quick-release fertilizers can be used to supply nutrients.
In many cases, they are less expensive than organic fertilizers.
✓ When used appropriately, inorganic fertilizers are safe for both plants and the environment, according to Utah State University Yard and Garden Extension.
✓ The three vital nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—are supplied by inorganic fertilizers.
✓ Calculating application rates is easier than with organic fertilizers.
Drawbacks:
✗ The Clemson Cooperative Extension states that inorganic fertilizers have the potential to significantly contaminate groundwater.
✗ It’s simpler to overapply and harm your plants using inorganic fertilizers because of their high nutrient concentration.
✗ There is a higher chance that inorganic fertilizer will leak or runoff into the environment.
What is my required amount of fertilizer?
Let’s figure out how much fertilizer you’ll need before you spend your money on a bag.
One pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is required for most lawns. Assume your soil test results indicate that you need a 30-0-10 fertilizer, which is 30% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 10% potassium.
Turn 30% into a decimal first (30% = 0.30).
One pound of nitrogen is then divided by 0.30. The amount of 30-0-10 fertilizer pounds required to cover 1,000 square feet is the outcome.
To cover 1,000 square feet, 3.33 pounds of 30-0-10 product are required, which is equal to 1 pound of nitrogen divided by 0.30.
When is the right time to fertilize?
You probably only need to fertilize your lawn once or twice a year if it is in good condition.
The variety of grass on your lawn will determine the ideal time of year to fertilize. You probably grow cool-season grass if you live in the north, where summers are mild and winters are really frigid. If you reside in the south, where summers are hot and winters are brief, you probably cultivate warm-season grass.
Your lawn may be made of warm-season or cool-season turf if you reside in the Transition Zone, which experiences harsh summers and winters.
When your lawn is developing at its fastest rate, fertilize it. In early autumn, fertilize your cool-season turf, and in the summer, your warm-season turf.
Temporary grasses:
- Zoysia grass
- Bermuda grass
- St. Augustine grass
- Centipede grass
- The buffalograss
- Bahiagrass
- Grass from the cool season:
- Bluegrass from Kentucky
- Ryegrass that grows year-round
- Tall fescue
How should fertilizer be applied?
You’ve perfected your garden store visits, but what about fertilizing the lawn? Let’s also make this portion simple for you.
Granular fertilizer application
Granular fertilizer can be applied using three different instruments:
- Another name for a rotary spreader is a broadcast spreader.
- Spreader for drops
- Spreader that is portable
The size of your lawn will determine which tool is appropriate for the job.
The following lawn sizes are recommended for spreaders by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture:
- Medium to big yards (more than 2,000 square feet) can be covered by a rotary spreader.
- Small lawns (less than 2,000 square feet) can benefit from a drop spreader.
- Spreaders that are handheld are ideal for small spaces.
- A rotating spreader is a device that is operated by pushing. The spreader’s hopper receives the dry granules, which are then released through tiny holes close to the bottom.
- Don’t worry; when you pour the grains into the hopper, they won’t fall out right away. You may use a lever to open and close the holes on the majority of rotary spreaders. The granules flow out of the holes when they are opened and hit a rotating plate, which disperses them three to five feet from the spreader.
- Another push-powered instrument is a drop spreader. Its rectangular hopper features a row of holes that are uniformly spaced. The drop spreader disperses the granules without the spinning plate found in a rotary spreader. Rather, the granules fall directly to the ground between the wheels of the drop spreader.
- For fertilizing confined spaces or tiny areas in the yard, use a handheld spreader. The granules are released by turning a handle on the apparatus.
When you’re prepared to apply the fertilizer, do the following:
- Go over the directions. Fertilizer misuse can have negative impacts on both the environment and you.
- Put on the appropriate safety equipment. Chemical burns on the skin can result from nitrogen. Put on a dust mask, long sleeves and pants, work gloves, and safety eyewear.
- Set your spreader’s calibration to release a specific quantity of fertilizer.
- Instructions for setting the fertilizer are included with many fertilizer packages.
- spreader. You should calibrate the spreader to apply half the intended rate because it’s a beneficial idea to go over your grass twice rather than once.
- While standing on a hard surface, like a sidewalk, patio, or driveway, pour the grains into the hopper. Why? Because if too much fertilizer spills, it could damage your grass.
- It’s time to start fertilizing. Push your spreader around the perimeter of your grass at a steady speed, beginning in one corner. Keep in mind that granules are sent 3 to 5 feet away from rotating spreaders. Make sure your spreader is positioned to prevent the granules from falling outside the yard. Instead, you want them to land all the way up to the edge of the lawn.
- Start fertilizing inside its boundaries when you’ve finished the perimeter. Step forward steadily, beginning in one corner of the yard.
- Turn the spreader 180 degrees and start your second pass as soon as you get to the edge of the perimeter. To ensure that the granules land where the last granules landed, place your rotary spreader a few feet apart from the previous pass. There is no need to leave space between rows when utilizing a drop spreader.
- Once the grass has been fertilized, you will repeat the same process, but this time you will spread the fertilizer in the opposite direction, forming a grid.
- After finishing, use a leaf blower (or broom) to push any extra fertilizer into the grass that may have fallen outside the lawn.
Using fertilizer in liquid form
Applying liquid fertilizer is a simple procedure. To prepare the liquid, adhere to the product’s instructions. It could be necessary to dissolve a dry substance in water or dilute it with it.
The majority of liquid fertilizers are packaged in spray bottles that are connected to garden hoses. Connect the bottle to the garden hose, then evenly mist the lawn with the liquid. On windy days, avoid applying liquid fertilizer since the wind may cause uneven application.
Make wise purchases for your grass
At the garden center, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, but now that you know exactly what you want, you can give your lawn the attention it needs.
Concerned about the health of your lawn over time? Proceed directly to the area dedicated to granular fertilizer.
According to your soil test, your lawn requires 10% potassium, 30% nitrogen, and 0% phosphorus. You’ll be in luck if you look for the digits 30-0-10 on the fertilizer label.
Do you have too many duties on your calendar to include a trip to the store? Not able to get the yard mowed in time? Get your grass greened by hiring a local lawn care expert. Although having a yard can be a lot of work, you don’t have to let it get to you. So don’t do a thing, hire a pro, and enjoy your grass!