What Is The Best Fertilizer To Use On My Lawn

Avoiding Fertilizer Burn On Grass

If grass displays yellow or brown patches after a fertilizer treatment, there is a good chance the lawn has been scorched by too much fertilizer product.

This is usually easy to determine as the grass will appear damaged instead of just losing its vibrance. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to prevent this from happening.

Using a slow-release fertilizer is arguably the easiest. Following the manufacturers instructions and administering an application when the grass is dry, followed by adequately watering the yard to activate the fertilizer will all help to prevent burn.

If youre using a spreader/granule combination, ensure that your route doesnt have much overlap. Overlapping passes will inevitably overload or saturate certain areas with fertilizer more than others. If your lawn has yellow streaks every few feet, this is most likely what has occurred.

The Top 5 Best Lawn Fertilizers

The American dream: a house with a white picket fence where your dog and kids can run around in the lush green grass of your beautiful yard.

Notice how this dream does not include dead, yellowed, or sparse grass. But not all yards will grow beautiful green grass without a little help and lawn care. Thats where some of the best lawn fertilizers come in.

If you want your yard to look healthy and beautiful, consider one of our top five recommended fertilizers.

Do You Fertilize Lawn Before Or After Rain

It is best to wait a day or so after a rain before applying fertilizer. Grass blades that are still wet from the rain should not be fertilized. Fertilizer can be applied at any time of the year.

However, the best time to apply fertilizers is in the spring and fall, when the soil is moist and the plants are growing.

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Features To Look For In Lawn Fertilizer

Release Type Categorised into two types, lawn fertilizer can either have fast releasing properties or slow releasing properties. Liquid fertilizers remain instant in their effects while granular makes can release nutrients both instantly or over time. Brands that feed lawns over time are great for homeowners who prefer to stretch the months in between applications. They are also gentler and do not tend to burn grass as easily.

Consistency Fertilizers come in two different forms, namely liquid and granular. Granular lawn fertilizers are popular for their ease of use and longevity. They can be the slow release type or can give faster results. Granular types also tend to be the cheaper option. Liquid fertilizer does not give a slow release option but the advantage is that their effects are almost immediate.

Fertilizer Numbers Written clearly on the packaging of most fertilizer brands, you will see a list of the macronutrient levels. These levels are listed as a series of three numbers, for example, 22-5-10. The numbers give you an indication of how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is found in the granules or liquid. These are the three primary nutrients that grass depends upon to grow.

Apply Grass Fertilizer Correctly

Now you’re ready to apply. Feeding the lawn is as simple as mowing it, and as easy as walking at your normal steady pace. Just follow these guidelines for easy application and even coverage.

If youre using a broadcast spreader, feed the entire perimeter of your lawn first. Engage the side-shield, which blocks off one side of the spreader to keep the product on the lawn and out of gardening beds and off driveways and sidewalks. Next, fill in the middle by turning off the side-shield feature and walking back and forth in straight lines. To get even coverage, overlap slightly on each pass by moving over 2 steps before you begin the pass.

When using a drop spreader, start by applying 2 header strips at opposite ends of the lawn to create a turning area. Next, fill in the rest of the lawn by applying the fertilizer back and forth in straight lines perpendicular to your header strips. To ensure you get even coverage, be sure to overlap the wheel tracks by about half a foot .

After youve finished feeding your lawn, return any unused product to the bag and store it for future use.

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When Should You Apply Liquid Fertilizer On Your Lawn

Apply liquid lawn fertilizers after the first lawn mowing in spring. Using lawn feed at this time encourages vigorous, vibrant growth that lasts throughout the summer. The next time to apply liquid grass feed is in early fall. Fertilizing lawns before winter helps grass roots withstand cold, freezing conditions.

Fertilizing your lawn two times a year is the best way to ensure healthy roots and luscious grass growth. Applying liquid fertilizer to lawns in spring also helps prevent weeds from popping up. Fertilizing in spring causes grass to grow and crowd out unwanted plants before they germinate.

What Do Fertilizer Numbers Mean

The numbers on the front of your lawn fertilizer bag are a fertilizer grade, sometimes called an N-P-K ratio, which describes how much Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium it contains. These are three of the most important nutrients for your lawn, and different fertilizers will contain different balances of each.

As the seasons change, your lawn will need more of some nutrients than others to stay healthy and strong. This is why you see a different set of numbers on each of our IFA 4Plus seasonal fertilizers. Lets look at these numbers more closely and see what theyre doing for your lawn.

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Types Of Lawn Fertilizer:

There are three different types of lawn fertilizers: granular, organic and water-soluble. Granular styles of fertilizer are available in time-release formulas which allows you to control when your lawn will be fed. Organic fertilizers are natural and can be produced at home. Composts, are also examples of this fertilizer. The break down process takes time and then slowly release nutrients into the soil which in turn feeds the lawn. Water-soluble fertilizers are quick-release fertilizers which imply that the benefits are visible almost immediately. They are also ammonium-based to help grass truly absorb the solution.

When picking fertilizer, you should consider things like how you want to apply it, how often you want to apply it, how much your lawn needs, how available you are to take care of your lawn. This can help you make the best decision for your specific operation. If you know you will be around through the spring/summer to watch your lawn, then water-soluble fertilizers will work best for you. On the other hand, if you are to leave town for a few weeks during summer, then time-release granules may be the best option for your lawn.

Fertilizers can also include pests repelling agents and eliminate weeds. You also can find fertilizers that promote quick-growth. So what suits your lawn and apply appropriately.

How Long Does It Take For Fertilizer To Turn Grass Green

Just like over-applying fertilizer will yield negative results quickly, you will also know right away if you have done a good job fertilizing your lawn. If youve fertilized properly, you should start to see results anywhere from 1 to 5 days afterward, depending upon the type of fertilizer you used.

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Why And When You Need To Start Using Lawn Fertilizer

Experts say that the best time to begin fertilizing your lawn after winter, for most parts of the country, is about mid-April when the lilacs begin to blossom and the grass noticeably begins to grow. You want the soil to be about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and that temperature often coincides with the blossoming of the lilacs. The warmer temperature also makes the grass begin to grow.

Additional applications of fertilizer will depend on the grasses that make up your lawn. Warm-season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede should receive fertilizer at six to eight-week intervals after the start of spring. Cool-season grasses like ryegrass, fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass should not be fertilized during the warm spring and summer months. You should fertilize them just after winter dormancy and once again at the beginning of fall.

Different Types Of Lawn Fertilizers

Once youâve mastered NPK numbers, you also need to ask yourself, âwhat type of fertilizer should I use on my lawn?â

There are lots of kinds of lawn fertilizer to choose from, and they include:

This is a mixture of nutrients as well as weed-killing chemicals that keep your lawn free of pesky weeds and plants.

• Synthetic fertilizer

Synthetic fertilizer is designed for quick results and can help with pest control, but it consists of man-made chemicals.

• Liquid fertilizer

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No Muss No Fuss Fertilizer For Lawns

The lazy gardener can combine a need for organic, homemade treatment and provide much of the same benefits as purchased products. The easiest way to develop a healthy lawn without adding purchased items is to mow it.

Mow leaves onto the lawn and leave the clippings. If you mow frequently enough, the thatch will not build up because shorter clippings will compost in quicker and start amending the soil and adding nutrients.

The combination of grass clippings and dried leaves hasten the composting process because one is a carbon source and the other is primarily a nitrogen source. This is a one-two punch in the composting world, which breaks down more quickly than nitrogen alone from the clippings.

You may find this the best fertilizer for grass and save some pennies along the way.

What Are The Numbers And Letters On Fertilizer

The numbers and letters on the fertilizer will help you identify if you are applying the right mix to your turf. The number and letters that you see are called the N-P-K ratio. To better understand this, you may have to take a trip back to your high school chemistry days.

The first letter, N stands for Nitrogen, the P stands for Phosphorus, and the K stands for potassium. These are three organic ingredients that a beautiful lawn will have to keep in balance to look great.

When you see a fertilizer that is 20-5-10, it will mean that the fertilizer contains 20% Nitrogen, 5% Phosphorus, and 10% Potassium. After conducting a soil test, you can choose the fertilizer bag that is right for your lawn.

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Safety While Using Lawn Fertilizer

Most lawn fertilizers are not concentrated enough to cause instant harm, but you still want to make sure you handle them safely and correctly. Be sure you read all directions on both your spreader and the fertilizer bag before beginning. This will ensure you know how to correctly operate the spreader and will let you know if your fertilizer needs to be mixed with anything. Once youve covered your lawn, sweep off fertilizer granules from hard surfaces like sidewalks or roadways to prevent runoff when watering.

Why Should You Test Your Soil

You should test your soil to find out its pH level and any nutrient deficiencies. Testing your soil will help you better understand what kind of fertilizer you need for your soil.

If you find that you have a deficiency in one of the macronutrients or micronutrients, use a fertilizer that will help you solve this problem and create a well-balanced, nutrient-dense environment for your lawn to thrive.

Soil Test Kit I Use & Recommend

There are many options for testing your lawns soil, but I prefer a lab-based soil test that will provide a detailed analysis of your soils nutrients and what it needs for your lawn to thrive. I use the MySoil Test Kit, which is available:

And if youre interested in taking the guesswork out of what to do next after you get your soil test results, consider Sundays subscription lawn-care plan. They test your soil for you and use local weather data to send you exactly what your lawn needs, when it needs it. Its pretty fool-proof you can .

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How Do I Calculate How Much Fertilizer I Need

Fertilizer recommendations for lawns can be confusing to the average homeowner. These instructions are usually given in pounds of nitrogen to be applied per 1,000 square feet. Home gardeners often have difficulty converting these recommendations to the amounts needed for their selected grade of nitrogen fertilizer and their homes lawn size. Luckily, you can use online fertilizer calculators to simplify things.

What Month Should I Fertilize My Lawn

Most lawn care companies recommend that you apply lawn fertilizer in the spring, between February and April. This is when your grass will start to green up as it begins to actively grow. Basically, if it looks like your grass is ready for its first mowing of the season, then it should also be ready for lawn fertilizer.

While most people know to fertilize their lawns in the spring, it is important to remember that fall feeding is critical, too. In the fall, grass roots are going down into the soil and need fertilizer to stay healthy. This is the most important application of fertilizer for the whole year since it will protect your lawn as it goes dormant over winter. However, if the fall you should use a specific fall fertilizer that is slightly higher in phosphorous and potassium, as it will promote better root growth. To ensure optimal lawn health, fertilize heavily in the fall and lightly in early spring.

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Q: How Often Do I Need To Fertilize My Lawn

A: How often you feed your lawn depends on the grass type and your climate. Essentially, there are two main grass types, namely cool season and warm season grasses.

• Cool-season grasses. Cool-season grasses tend to remain green throughout the seasons when grown in cooler areas. Such grasses do best in climates where winters are cold and summers remain moderately warm . A rule of thumb is to feed cool-season grasses twice in autumn and then again in the spring – after the first flush of growth.
• Warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses flourish in regions with higher temperatures and they generally turn brown or go dormant in winter. Its recommended that you feed this grass-type during active growth periods but not during the hottest months. Ideally, you want to apply the fertilizer in three phases: when the grass starts to green during early spring, again in late spring, and then one more time at the end of summer when the temperatures are not as extreme.

Ifa 4plus Lawn Care Fertilizer Program

The IFA 4Plus Lawn Care program is locally formulated and specifically designed to help produce the best results in the Intermountain West. With two of our four applications, we also use Omnicote Technology that allows micronutrients such as Zinc, Iron, and Manganese to coat every pellet of fertilizer and thus getting an even nutrient distribution on the lawn. These elements may not require the quantity of the three major elements, but they are just as important.

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Just Scentsational Organic Liquid Lawn Fertilizer

This organic lawn fertilizer comes in liquid form to help get nutrients quickly to grass roots. The nutrient and mineral source is all-natural from natural fish products. These nutrient sources enhance grass soil with amino acids, microbes, enzymes, and vitamins. Because this is an all-natural and organic, the liquid fertilizer builds healthy soil.

Although this grass feed is an organic fish fertilizer, there is minimal odor from the liquid. Dilute the liquid fertilizer to the appropriate concentration and use it in a hose sprayer to apply to your lawn. Also, it is entirely safe on lawns where children and pets play.

Recap: Lawn Fertilizer Dos And Don’ts

• Use test results to choose the right fertilizer.
• Spend time accurately measuring the size of your lawn.
• Try an organic during the hot summer months.
• Buy a quality spreader that best fits your needs.
• Accurately calibrate your spreader to make sure you apply the right amount.
• Keep your spreader well maintained.
• Keep records of what and how much you apply and when you apply it.

Dont:

• Test your soil after you have fertilized.
• Guess on how much fertilizer you need and what setting you use.
• Apply fertilizer in hot, humid weather.
• Apply fertilizer near water features, on hard surfaces or on frozen ground.
• Use phosphorus unless your soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Apply more than four times a year.
• Use liquid fertilizers on your lawn.
• Use a drop spreader in big lawns.
• Bag your clippings.

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Best Fertilizer Number To Use On Your Lawn In The Fall

If you remember correctly, we recommend that you do not fertilize your cool season grasses in the summer as they wont handle it all that well. The fall is when you should leave your warm-season grasses alone.

The key here is to use a lower Nitrogen ratio the last thing you want is to have Nitrogen trying to work when temperatures get too cold for the grass to grow. This will stress the lawn and can create bare spots on your turf.

The best fertilizer number to use on your lawn in the early Fall include:

The 20-0-5 is very commonly sold in stores for fall fertilizer, but you should test your soil before applying this much nitrogen in the late fall. Fall fertilization aims to ensure your grass is healthy enough to make it through the winter.

Best Fertilizer for Garden in the Fall

The best fertilizer for your garden in the Fall is a 24-4-12. This is a much higher Nitrogen percentage than earlier in the year, and it ensures that your plants will stay alive throughout the winter months. At this time of year, make sure that you are not giving garden plants too much fertilizer. Forcing them to grow faster when the temperatures are not conducive to growth can strain the plant.

Best Fertilizer for Trees and Shrubs in the Fall