What Is The Best Lawn Fertilizer For Spring

What Is The Best Spring Lawn Feed

5 min read

When your lawn wakes up from its winter sleep it will be hungry. Make sure you have plenty of spring lawn feed in stock so that you can give the best possible start to the growing season.

Avoid being overwhelmed by the choices at your local garden centre and instead, order you spring lawn feed online. Heres what to look for in the best spring lawn feed

• A good balance of nutrients. In spring your lawn needs plenty of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
• Slow release formula. To save you having to remember to feed frequently, look for a lawn feed that will last around 3 months
• Granulated format far easier to apply evenly than dissolvable or dusty feeds
• Waterproof packaging sounds silly but lawn feed can absorb water from the air and become hard, lumpy and unusable.
• Trusted supplier

Best Lawn Fertilizers For Spring Of 2021

by Sean Brendlinger | Jan 11, 2020 | Fertilizers, Uncategorized

The grass doesnt have to be greener on the other side of the fence. With the right lawn care routine, the grass in your yard will stay strong, healthy, and beautiful. A significant component of excellent lawn care is using the best fertilizer.

Aside from selecting the right fertilizer, you have to apply it at the right time, too. For most lawns in North America, spring is when fertilizer has the most benefits. Selecting the best fertilizer can seem complicated, and filled with confusing science terms, but its often far simpler than many people realize.

Check out our recommendations for the best lawn fertilizers for spring, as well as an easy-to-understand guide about spring lawn care. With the tips and recommendations below, your lawn will be the envy of your entire neighborhood!

At a Glance Our Top Picks.

What Are Fertilizer Numbers And Letters

When you pick up a commercial fertilizer, you might notice a series of letters and numbers on the label. This standardized labeling refers to the three major plant nutrients needed for growing plants.

Fertilizer letters and numbers indicate the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer. The letters are the chemical symbols for these essential macronutrients. The numbers on the fertilizer indicate the percentage of nutrients in the fertilizer by weight.

The letters and numbers are always written out as NPK or N-P-K, referring to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, in that order. The nitrogen value is always written first, followed by phosphorus, and potassium is at the end. This labeling is standardized worldwide and is known as the fertilizer grade.

A holistic, balanced fertilizer that supports plants at all stages of growth is 20-20-20. This label indicates that the fertilizer has 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, and 20% potassium by weight. So if you buy a 10-pound bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer, itll have a total of two pounds of each of the nutrients distributed throughout the entire product.

The fertilizer grade is helpful because it allows you to purchase what you need for your plants instead of indiscriminately adding improperly balanced fertilizer to your soil.

Recommended Reading: How To Green Up My Lawn Fast

Is There Really A Best Lawn Fertilizer Ratio

Yes, there is an ideal ratio of fertilizer for most lawns. The ratio of nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium in a fertilizer is the N-P-K ratio. The ideal lawn fertilizer ratio for most lawns is 3:1:3 or 4:1:2, but every lawn is unique and evaluating your soil with an accurate soil test kit is the best way to understand exactly what your lawn needs and unlock the full potential of your yard .

Scotts Green Maxtm Lawn Food

This fertilizer has a 27-0-2 ratio with a 5% iron percentage, which is perfect for your spring application. It advertises a deep greening in three days and will last up to eight weeks with a slow-release nitrogen. It is formulated so as not to stain concrete, decks, or driveways.

Additionally, Scotts advertises this fertilizer as safe to re-enter the lawn immediately after the application. Water after an application and make sure the lawn receives 1-inch of water per week. Although your lawn should receive that amount of water throughout the season anyhow.

You May Like: How To Fix Bald Patches In Lawn

Should I Fertilize Every Year

In most cases, an application of fertilizer in April is not needed when lawns were fertilized the previous fall or clippings are returned to the lawn. If an April application appears to be necessary, apply the fertilizer at a reduced rate. This may be followed by an early June application, a late August application, and the most important application in October or November.

Add Compost To Your Lawn

Adding compost to your lawn is another great way to provide nutrients to your grass and boost soil quality. Organic compost is the best choice of natural lawn fertilizer, as it is rich in organic matter, micro-nutrients, and microorganisms that create a healthy environment for grass to grow.

You can easily make your own compost at home, for free! To use compost, start spreading it onto the lawn in the early spring or before you start over seeding.

You can spread the compost using a rake, dumping larger mounds in each section then spreading them out evenly. The ideal layer of compost can be fairly thick, but you should still be able to see the blades of the grass.

If you want to make compost at home, you should check out our best garden composter reviews. You can watch this video for a more detailed look on how you can perfectly fertilize your lawn.

Recommended Reading: What Time Of The Year Do You Fertilize Your Lawn

What Makes Grass Grow Fast

Grass is one of the most important part of a green landscape. It provides a natural habitat for plants and animals and is an important part of human diet.

Grass needs sunlight, water, and nutrients in order to grow. There are different factors influencing the speed at which grass grows, including soil quality, temperature, rainfall, etc.

Best Fertilizer For Crabgrass Prevention

What I like about Greenview Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer + Crabgrass Preventer is the quality of the fertilizer in the bag and the active ingredient of the crabgrass herbicide. It boasts a high-quality, professional grade slow-release nitrogen source called methylene-urea. This is a popular choice among professionals.

The fertilizer releases evenly over an eight- to 10-week period without that flush of growth that can have you mowing more than you want. The crabgrass killer is Dimension. And its extra strength dose means it will keep your lawn crabgrass-free longer than other pre-emergents. Dimension kills crabgrass for a short period of time even after it sprouts. Other pre-emergent herbicides wont do that.

Also Check: Who Sells Bad Boy Lawn Mowers

What Are The Fertilizer Products That Professional Lawn Care Companies Use

There is a big difference between the DIY fertilizers and the professional grade. DIY fertilizers don’t have high quality micronutrients. The professional grade fertilizers are slow release, meaning they will keep your lawn greener for a longer period of time. Listed below are the top three stores that carry professional grade lawn fertilizers.

Why Do Lawns Need Fertilizer In The Fall

Its important to fertilize a lawn before the cold season for a couple of reasons. For one, the extra nutrients in fertilizers strengthen the grass root systems and helps the grass grow, promoting a healthier lawn for the coming year. For another, fertilizing the lawn before winter hits helps the grass get through the harsher, chillier season.

Although the best time to fertilize a yard varies based on region and grass type, you should apply fertilizer four or five times throughout the year. However, most lawns benefit from fertilization around September or a few weeks before the first frost. So, if you plan to only fertilize the lawn once, then the best time is during fall, around six weeks before the first frost in your area.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Difference Between Lawn Care And Landscaping

Common Lawn Fertilizer Mistakes

Lawn fertilization is confusing. Mistakes happen. Many homeowners either apply too much fertilizer or apply it at the wrong time of the year.Over fertilizing, especially with high levels of nitrogen, will cause lots of pretty green blades of grass, but not enough root growth. Too much fertilizer will actually burn the lawn.Applying too much fertilizer isnt just bad for your lawn and wasteful it can harm the environment, running off and entering the groundwater.Lawn care experts know exactly when to fertilize your lawn and how much fertilizer to apply. And because youre on their calendar, theyll arrive at just the right times to treat your lawn.

Pro Mix Fertilizer 20

With only 20% nitrogen content the slow-release fertilizer prevents your lawn from burning out. The 5% potassium content help strengthen the grass roots which struggle during the hot summer months. A percentage of organic matter helps to maintain a green lawn while also assisting the grass in using the nutrients well.

This fertilizer is combined with peat moss to help improve microbial activity and create stronger roots and healthier soil.

Also Check: How Much Cost To Aerate Lawn

What Are The Different Types Of Grass

Understanding the type of grass in your lawn is key to determining when you need to fertilize it. Dont worry you dont need an in-depth understanding of agriculture here. Grass types are divided into two simple, general categories:

• Cool-season grass
• Warm-season grass

Cool-season grasses are most common throughout the northern US. Popular types include Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and various fescues. These grasses go dormant in periods of hot temperatures and low moisture.

Warm-season grasses are typically found in the southern US. Popular examples of these tropical grasses include Bermuda, St. Augustine, and centipede. Theyre thick grasses that thrive in consistently warm temperatures.

Another type is called transitional zone grass. Its a combination of warm and cool-season grasses.

Why Fertilize The Lawn In Fall

Like the rest of us, your lawn gets tired by the time summer ends.

Your lawn has struggled through a long, hot relentless summer. Its endured excessive heat, humidity and drought. Its been trampled by kids, dogs and overuse. Weeds, insects and diseases have taken their toll. Your lawn is hungry and tired. It wants a good meal before it settles in for a long, well-deserved winter slumber.

So why fertilize your lawn in the fall?

• This is your lawns last chance to thicken up, restoring turf density back to its early summer form.
• Fall fertilizer helps regenerate roots lost by hot, humid or dry summer weather.
• Fall fertilizing fortifies your lawn so it can better combat severe winter conditions that lie ahead.
• A good feeding fills up your lawns gas tank before going dormant. That way it has plenty of energy stored for a healthy start next spring.

You May Like: Is Ryobi Lawn Mower Good

Types Of Fertilizer For Different Conditions

Depending on the season, soil type, and grass condition, you might need different fertilizers on your lawn with varying N-P-K ratios. For example, if you want to apply fertilizer in the fall, it is typically better to use a winterized fertilizer that is high in potassium.

Likewise, using fertilizer products high in phosphorus is recommended while establishing a new lawn. Lets talk about it in a bit more detail.

Slow Vs Fast Release Fertilizers

Recommended Reading: What Do You Need For Lawn Care

Lawnstar With Seaweed Spring Fertilizer

LawnStar is an efficient, macro-nutrient liquid fertilizer that helps to keep your lawn green and thick.

It can be used on all types of turfgrass during the early spring and provides rapid greening and excellent growth outcomes.

It contains 10% instantaneous and 6% slow nitrogen release that quickly greens and supplies your lawn with long-time nourishment.

The 4% phosphorus enhances root expansion and provides a sparkling, dense lawn.

It also contains 8% potassium for fast growth and stress resistance. The recipe also contains seaweed extract and soil-biome support for better uptake of nutrients.

It is equipped with a user-friendly spray bottle that can be attached to any conventional garden hose. The fertilizer is diluted for easy and quick application.

The 32 oz bottle will cover approximately 4,000 square feet of your lawn with 30-days greenery.

• It has a well-balanced and well-researched formula.
• The fertilizer comes with a spray bottle.
• It is perfect for all kinds of lawns.
• It does not require measuring.

How Often Should I Fertilize My Lawn

In most cases, fertilizing your grass merely twice a year should be sufficient . On the other hand, if you are using organic fertilizer, I advise fertilizing your lawn four times a year. You can change this frequency, though, depending on the circumstances. Just make sure not to over-fertilize your yard.

Don’t Miss: How To Kill Moss And Weeds In Lawns

What Are The Best Numbers For Garden Fertilizers In Summer

With summer comes heat stress and drought, and depending on the types of plants you have, you may or may not need to fertilize your garden in the summer.

On average, you will need to fertilize your garden right before the summer rains begin. Thats because rain will allow the soil to absorb the nutrients completely. In most locations, the rain starts in May or early June. Fertilizing at this time is effective as it supports your plants at the height of the growing season.

However, youll want to hold off on fertilizing your garden if forecasters predict heavy rain within the week, as this will result in your fertilizer leaching out of the soil and into groundwater.

Fertilizing in summer is especially important for nightshades like eggplants and tomatoes and long-growing plants like sweetcorn, as the growth of these plants is nutrient intensive. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli could also benefit from a summer fertilizer application.

Your plants could benefit from a higher percentage of nitrogen and potassium rather than phosphorus at this stage, as the roots should be well-developed by summer.

The best numbers for garden fertilizers in summer are 10-5-10 for plants you have recently transplanted. For growing plants, 20-5-20 or 40-10-40 are the best fertilizer grades to use in summer.

Why Should You Fertilize In Early Spring

Fertilizers are a source of nourishment. Everything growing in your garden needs a regular boost of nutrition.

Even the grass requires better nutrition at various times, based on the climate.

Fertilization is absolutely critical in spring. It will not only prepare your lawn for the upcoming growing season but also helps to recover from the winter damage.

Because of the winter damage, the lawn loses its vibrant and green color.

So applying fertilizer in the early spring will bring back its vibrant green color and help it to come out from dormancy.

You May Like: How Often Can I Weed And Feed Lawn

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 .

In Any Case Get A Soil Test

It would help if you had your soil tested to determine its pH level and whether or not it is missing any nutrients. You will gain a better understanding of the type of fertilizer that is most suited for your soil if you test your soil. If you discover that your lawn lacks one or more micronutrients or macronutrients, apply fertilizer to assist you in fixing the problem and produce a nutrient-rich environment for your grass to grow.

Read Also: How Much Topsoil For Lawn

Watering Before And After Fertilizing

Water your lawn thoroughly before applying fertilizer to help prepare the roots for uptake.

Water the lawn even after applying liquid or granular fertilizer to rinse the fertilizer down to the roots so that it can be absorbed easily.

This can also prevent the burning of delicate grass blades.

However, do not overdo this as you dont want the fertilizer to wash away entirely. You can water after 2-3 days to help the soil stay moist.

When To Fertilize The Lawn In Spring

The best time to fertilize the lawn in the spring is one to two weeks after the last frost when the lawn is starting to come back to life. If you fertilize it too early the lawn can get stressed and wont be able to absorb the fertilizer. So give it some time after the last frost and when you see the lawn is starting to grow back, that is the best time to fertilize the lawn in spring.

Read Also: Does Home Depot Take Old Lawn Mowers