What Does Lawn Fertilizer Do

Types Of Nitrogen Fertilizers

Since lawns generally need Nitrogen more than the other major nutrient, lawn fertilizer companies have developed various fertilizer types to effectively get Nitrogen into your soil. Generally, Nitrogen can be applied in controlled-release or quick-release applications. Our chart below looks at the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Professional Fertilizer Service Recommendation: Trugreen

TruGreen folds its fertilizer services into its comprehensive annual packages that offer lawn care services like aeration and weed control.

As part of its plans, TruGreen will visit your lawn every four to six weeks. Depending on your lawns specific needs, your TruGreen lawn care specialist will determine whether you need fertilizer during each visit.

The specific fertilizer TruGreen uses for its core packages has an NPK value of 20-10-10, or 20% nitrogen, to help grass grow lush and green, 10% potassium to boost nutrient intake and root development, and 10% phosphorus to help your grass to absorb oxygen. The rest is filler.

TruGreen uses liquid fertilizer in the cooler months and switches to granular once it warms up.

When To Fertilize Your Lawn

The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall while grass is growing and storing nutrients. However, your lawn fertilizing schedule will depend on the type of grass you have and the type of fertilizer youre using.

Early fall means cooler weather with warm soil and ample rain, creating the perfect environment for grass to develop strong roots and grass seeds to germinate. An application of nitrogen-rich, slow-release fertilizer around Labor Day will feed your lawn and provide essential nourishment for the coming spring.

Spring is the next most important time of the year to fertilize your lawn. Spring grasses come to life hungry and ready to be fed. Fertilize your lawn as soon as the dormant grass is at least fifty percent green again.

Summer is hard on lawns because of heat, drought, insects and increased foot traffic. Feeding your lawn slow-release fertilizer at the start of summer will help keep your grass healthy and green throughout the season. This is not necessary for cool-season grasses. If insects are a problem in your yard during the summer, consider using a fertilizer with insect control.

Apply slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer every 90 to 120 days at the start of spring, summer and fall. Apply all-purpose fertilizer every six to eight weeks.

Recommended Reading: When Should You Reseed Your Lawn

Creating The Best Fertilization Program For Your Lawn

When you decide its time to take control of your lawn and launch a fertilization program, the last thing you want to do is run to the nearest store, grab the first bag you see labeled fertilizer and dump it on your lawn.

The best fertilization programs take careful testing, planning and scheduling. They also take a certain amount of commitment to keep your lawn green and lush. This is why so many homeowners unnecessarily pay professionals hundreds to thousands of dollars per year to fertilize their lawns.

Understanding Fertilizer Grades

The first step in creating the best fertilizer program for your lawn is understanding the product youre using. This starts with figuring out what in the world those numbers on the front of the fertilizer bag mean.

On most bags of fertilizer, youll find three bolded numbers separated by dashes. This is the fertilizer grade.

The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer, the second number is the percentage of phosphorus and the third is the percentage of potassium. Many simply call this series of numbers the N-P-K.

If you grab a 50-pound bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer, you have 5 pounds of nitrogen, 5 pounds of phosphorus and 5 pounds of potassium in each bag. The rest of the fertilizer is made up of other fillers, including limestone or sand.

Some fertilizers may only have one of those three essential nutrients in them too, which helps when your lawn needs just one nutrient boost.

Release Rates

Organic Fertilizer

Does Lawn Fertilizer Go Bad

Lawn fertilizer does go bad over time but it takes years for fertilizer to expire. When you store fertilizer properly, i.e. away from moisture and without getting frozen, it can last between 4 10 years. The only type of fertilizer that may expire sooner is fertilizer mixed with a pesticide.

Find out which type of fertilizers last longer and how to properly store them to prolong their shelf life.

Recommended Reading: When Should I Put Turf Builder On My Lawn

Should I Do It Myself Or Hire A Professional

When it comes to mixing and applying chemicals, it is always better to hire a professional. A professional will be able to spot if there are any other issues with your lawn that may be causing your grass to die or weeds to grow in that area. If you are going to apply fertilizer yourself, please make sure you wear protective clothing and dispose of all chemicals properly.

Additional Information About Phosphorus

Along with nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is an essential element for the development and strengthening of plant roots. Fortunately, many soil types contain enough phosphorus to allow roots to grow early on and prevent large amounts from being added all at once. It is especially effective when applied to the soil before planting, although post-planting fertilizers can be just as helpful.

Phosphorus can be found in most types of lawn fertilizer, where its percentage is indicated through the three-number fertilizer analysis imprinted on the bag. For example, if the fertilizer analysis is 12-2-14, the fertilizer contains 2% phosphorus. The other numbers indicate nitrogen and potassium, respectively.

It should be noted that some municipalities ban the use of phosphorus on lawns. Excessive phosphorus has been found to form algae blooms and create other problems in the waterways. Algae blooms are a dangerous occurrence that can kill fish and other water life.

Because of this, many companies that produce fertilizer have started eliminating phosphorus from their synthetic product lines. Organic fertilizers have since become more widely used, although they still contain minimal amounts of phosphorus. Because soil naturally produces minimal amounts of phosphorus, large additives are usually not required to stimulate plant growth. In doing so, you could cause runoff that pollutes the water ways and potentially damages the soil quality permanently.

You May Like: Where To Buy Lawn Mower Parts Locally

Types Of Fertilizer To Use On Lawns

Here are the basic types of fertilizer to use on lawns:

Slow-release You dont have to use slow release fertilizers as often, but they are usually more expensive.

Fast-release You get quick results with a fast-release fertilizer, but you have to apply them in smaller amounts and more frequently. You can burn your lawn with a fast-release fertilizer if you use too much.

Weed and feed Try to identify your weeds before using a weed and feed product and make sure your weed is listed on the product label. Take special care around trees, shrubs, and garden plants.

Organic materials such as compost and manure The essential nutrients arent as concentrated in these types of materials, so you have to use a lot. Compost or dry manure before applying it to the lawn, and be aware that some manures, particularly horse manure, may contain weed seeds.

Liquid fertilizers These arent recommended because they are hard to apply evenly and require frequent applications.

Understanding The Types Of Lawn Fertilizer

Using fertilizer for lawns is an effective way to prevent disease and pest damage and minimize maintenance. But what type of lawn fertilizer should you use?

• There are time-release fertilizers that are beneficial for feeding the lawn over many months and prevent the gardener from having to remember to feed again at a certain time.
• The gradual release also allows plant roots to harvest the nutrients they need slowly, preventing necessary elements from leaching away into the soil. This type of food is easy to apply and minimizes the chance of burning the lawn.
• Granular fertilizers may be time-release or slow-release. Either way, they are popular due to the ease of application.
• Liquid or water-soluble fertilizers are spread using a hose and provide a quick effective way to introduce nutrients rapidly to grassroots.

Many of these forms come in either synthetic or organic forms.

• Synthetic formulas are chemical and offer immediate release and quick greening of the lawn.
• Organic formulas are naturally made from once-living organisms or their byproducts.

The choice is yours on which application type and formula to use on your lawn.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Lots Of Weeds In Lawn

Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn

Spring means more daylight and warmer temperatures. After a cold winter, this is the weather your grass is craving. If youre unsure of exactly when to lay down your first feeding, you can base it off of the temperature. Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Its also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether thats from rain or a sprinkler.

Fertilizer provides your grass with extra nutrients that help to prevent crabgrass and allow it to grow green and thick. To ensure youre laying the feed correctly, start around the perimeter of your lawn. Then, you can start filling in the middle. Similar to mowing your yard, you should go back and forth in straight lines. And you should always use a lawn spreader instead of your hands to complete the job.

Now that you know that spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn, here are some other helpful tips that will keep your grass thriving.

How Long Does It Take For Fertilizer To Kill Weeds

So long as youre using a weed and feed fertilizer , you should see results within a week.

However, it depends heavily on the product used, the type of weed, the extent of the infestation, the conditions, and other factors.

You might not see total eradication for several weeks, and/or after several applications. And in some cases, the product might not work at all.

Trial and error, my friends, trial and error.

Don’t Miss: Where Can I Sharpen My Lawn Mower Blade

What Does Fertilizer Do To Grass

15 February, 2011

Adding a fertilizer to your lawn will make the grass greener and stronger, as long as you apply the right amounts of the right kind at the right time. With so many complications, it may be helpful to understand what each component of lawn fertilizer does so you can better understand your overall lawn care needs.

When To Fertilize Cool

Fertilize cool-season grasses in early fall. These fertilizers are often sold under the moniker “winterizer fertilizer.” Many lawn care professionals state that cool-season grasses can get by with just one fertilizer application per year in the fall. The fall feeding is responsible for a quick green-up in spring. For most regions where cool-season grasses grow, apply fertilizer in October or November. Make applications before grass starts to discolor with the arrival of cold weather. Check with your local extension office or a reputable garden center to discover the proper timing for your region.

Cool-season grass types include fescue, bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Cool season grasses grow best at temps of 60 degrees to 75 degrees in areas with cold winters .

Read Also: Do It Yourself Organic Lawn Care Program

The Roles Of N P And K

Nitrogen greens up your lawn and helps it grow. Phosphorus stimulates root growth and helps seeds sprout. Potassium helps grass withstand stresses like disease and drought. That’s why Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass contains phosphorus: It helps small seedlings establish a good root system. Once these roots are developed, though, they can access the phosphorus found naturally in most soils, which is why you wont find it added to Scotts® Turf Builder® products that arent for new grass.

Choosing The Right Lawn Fertilizer

When you stop by your local lawn and garden store, youll notice an almost endless display of lawn fertilizers for sale. From weed and feed to lawn food, fertilizers arent lacking in variety. With all of these options, youre probably wondering how you go about choosing the best lawn fertilizer available.

The reason youll see so many varieties of fertilizer reflects the numerous combinations of nutrients individual lawns need to maintain healthy growth.

You May Like: Which Lawn Fertilizer Is Best

My Take On Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are becoming more popular with lawn owners because of the idea that they are more environmentally friendly. Quality organic fertilizers will contain meal-based nutrients or some may contain poultry litter. A complete natural organic lawn food will have low NPK numbers, most always below 10. Its best to apply these fertilizers during the warmer growing months, from May through September, depending where you live. Organics help feed your lawn by stimulating microbial activity in your soil, creating a healthier medium in which your grass can grow.

They are safer to use and will not harm your lawn like some conventional fertilizers will, especially during the hot summer months. They work a bit slower, however, so youll need to be patient.

Youll also discover they are much more expensive. All that said, give them a try!

How Soon You Can Fertilize After Seeding Your Lawn

Its not always after seeding that you should apply fertilizerthe best time to fertilize is right before or during the seeding process. Use a starter fertilizer with quick-release nitrogen since that will give the seeds a nutritional boost. When you make fertilizer a part of the seeding process, your grass will grow quicker and is more likely to end up healthy and lush.

You May Like: How To Check Ph Of Lawn

Do I Need To Fertilize My Lawn Every Year Yes And Here Are Some Tips On How To Do It Correctly

Your soil supplies some of the nutrients that turf grass needs but most soils are not able to provide all of them during the entire growing season. A healthy and actively growing lawn uses a great deal of energy. Fertilizer helps your lawn stay healthy by promoting new leaf and root growth. Read on to learn more about why it is important to fertilize your lawn.

Why Lawns Need Nutrient Replacement

Very often the cycling of nutrients is cut short on home lawns. This is partially due to necessary maintenance practices needed to produce quality turf. To complicate things further, some turf species and certain turf situations, such as sports turf, require intense maintenance and added nutrients to meet the high level of expectation. This requires the removal of fallen leaves, twigs and branches, and even grass clippings, that would otherwise have returned nutrients back to the soil. Those lost nutrients must be replaced.

What is Fertilizer?

Can I Avoid Fewer Mud Puddles and Patches?

The use of fertilizer will strengthen your grass roots so they can quickly absorb more water than unhealthy roots. This firms your soil and lessens the chances of water pooling to form messy mud puddles and bare patches.

Will Fertilizers Help with Weed Control?

A thick lush lawn with strong roots can choke out weeds by preventing them from taking a foothold in the first place.

Can Fertilizers Encourage Fewer Pest?

A Few Tips to Remember Before Fertilizing

Contact Us for a Free Consultation!

When To Use Compost

Compost does more than feed grass it also builds and feeds soil. Compost contains microorganisms, micronutrients and organic matter items that nourish soil and foster a healthy underground environment in your lawn. When should you use compost? Spread a thin layer over lawns in early spring to fuel strong growth. Any time you plan to aerate, spread compost after aerating to improve soil and give roots a boost. It’s also a good idea to apply compost before overseeding thin turf. Add compost to a lawn by the shovelful in several places.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Foxtail Grass In Lawn

Trugreen: Keeping Your Healthy Lawn Year

Fertilizing your lawn is just one part of a complete lawn care routine all year long. Investing in a professional lawn care company can help you not only build a beautiful lawn but maintain it. The best part is you wont have to waste your time trying to figure out fertilizer labels and amounts for your lawn. Providers like TruGreen offer a range of lawn care service packages to take care of the fertilization or your yard, and much more.

All three packages include the Healthy Lawn Guarantee and Healthy Lawn Analysis®.

Applying Lawn Fertilizer: Tantamount To Murdering Your Grass

Both fertilizing at the wrong time and over-fertilizing can hurt your lawn and cause you plenty of heartache. Grass varieties used for lawns at most homes can be divided into two categories: warm-season and cool-season grasses. The names refer to the type of weather in which the grass has adapted to grow. Cool-season grasses, like fescue and bluegrass, grow best when temperatures are mild, like in the early spring and fall. Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda and zoysia, do most of their growing in the heat of summer. It’s when your lawn is growing its heart out that it needs fertilizer the most.

But applying fertilizer at the wrong time can hurt a warm-season lawn. Fertilizers of all stripes — chemical or organic, granular or liquid — are denoted by a string of numbers for example, 22-3-14. The numbers represent the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium present in the fertilizer by weight . So, for example, a 100-pound bag of 22-3-14 fertilizer has 22 pounds of nitrogen, 3 pounds of phosphorus and 14 pounds of potassium in it. The rest is filler, or secondary ingredients like iron that help the important components disperse more evenly.

For more information on gardening and other related topics, visit the next page.

Read Also: How Often Do You Fertilize Your Lawn