Fertilizers: what you need to feed your lawn

Just like humans need food, water, and shelter to survive, grass depends on certain elements to live, sixteen to be exact. Most of these elements are already found naturally in the environment, but several others need to be added to your lawn. Adding fertilizer with these three elements, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, does the job.

Before you run to the store to buy a complete fertilizer, or one that contains all three, it’s important to understand why your lawn’s livelihood depends on it.

Nitrogen – This is possibly the most important element your lawn needs. It makes grass grow and gives it its green color. It will also allow for higher density, thick shoots, and robust growth, thus creating an environment that will naturally combat pests and insects.

Potassium – Since you can’t throw bananas in your garden, your best bet for this mineral is to use fertilizer! Potassium improves your lawn’s ability to resist disease, drought, wear and tear, and cold weather.

Phosphorus: Used to encourage strong root growth of grass.

Most fertilizers you’ll find at local home and garden stores will contain all three of these elements. However, there are different amounts of each. This is reflected in a three-digit number, such as 30-10-10, which indicates the percentage of each in this order: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These mixtures will serve different purposes. For example, more potassium in mixes is good for winterizing. Factors to consider are the type of grass, the weather, the time of the season, and the type of soil. Once you know what your needs are, you can determine the right combination of these elements. An additional way to scan your needs is to determine the current levels of these nutrients in your soil. This can be done through a simple pH test.

In addition to the variation in the percentages of the key elements, there are also different types of fertilizers to consider. There are four main options that will greet you in the fertilizer aisle: Granular (slow and fast release), Liquid, Synthetic, and Organic.

Granular fertilizers are perhaps the most popular, probably due to their ease of use and longevity. Since they are dry, they are much easier to spread. Granular fertilizers can come in a slow-release formula, providing fertilization for two to six months.

This is an efficient option for homeowners as you won’t need another app for months to come. Granular is also available in quick release and although it is applied the same way, the nutrients are released faster and work better in cold weather. This method also costs less. However, it can happen that the grass burns and there will be an increased need for watering.

Liquid fertilizers are as the name implies, in liquid form. These are applied by connecting a hose and nozzle to a spray bottle. The contents of the bottle are usually in a concentrated form, hence the need to mix it with the water. If you can use a hose, this is an easy method, rather than spreading granules around the garden. Also, since it is a liquid, the nutrients are immediately available to the roots of your vegetation. Herbicides can also be added or applied during this treatment. But, since the results are immediate, applications will need to be repeated more often than granular ones, and since liquid is more expensive to start with, it can be more expensive.

Synthetic fertilizers are usually made chemically, which is why they are called synthetics. These engineered fertilizers deliver immediate nutrient release and turn your lawn green, they just soak into the soil faster. However, they are not natural, and many argue that lawns should be treated naturally. Synthetic fertilizer applications should be repeated more frequently, as the results do not last as long. They can also burn your lawn if not applied properly.

Finally, organic fertilizers are made from living organisms and their byproducts. These are applied to the lawn with spreaders, rakes, and even by hand. Since this is an all-natural fertilizer, organic compounds tend to break down slowly by releasing nitrogen. They will improve the texture and density of your turf, especially when added to soil or lakebed sand. However, there are some drawbacks, including a bad smell in the case of manure. Also, these soils tend to have more nitrogen than other elements.

In summary, when choosing a fertilizer, there are many things to consider: your lawn’s current nutrition, how much money you want to spend, how much labor you want to invest in initial and repeat application, as well as personal preference. But with the rise of technology, the options continue to grow as more combinations are introduced.