Lawn maintenance is a massive part of home care. Here, maintaining the quality and growth of the grass can help in achieving a lush green lawn. For this, using a grass fertilizer can help. While some prefer to hire professionals to fertilize the lawn, others opt for a DIY approach. But, if going for the latter, it is important to know about the available options that can help one maintain a vibrant lawn.
Types of grass fertilizers
Depending on the type of grass one has in their lawn, the location and regional weather conditions, expected rainfall, one’s lawn requirements, and other factors, there are a wide variety of fertilizers to choose from.
Organic fertilizers
These fertilizers are made from plant or animal-based sources and materials. Once they are applied to a lawn, they gradually release nutrients into the soil. So, while they may not provide quick results, they are among the best fertilizers for long-term soil development. The greatest advantage of these fertilizers is that they naturally increase the microorganisms in the soil. These microorganisms then organically increase the water-holding capacity and nutrient availability in the soil. Also, the synthetic chemical proportion in these fertilizers is negligible or, at times, even zero. This is why using this product on a given piece of land over many years will not increase the salt content in its soil, nor will it gradually make the soil barren.
Synthetic fertilizers
These are the exact opposites of organic fertilizers in every possible way. Synthetic fertilizers can be very effective as they release nutrients quickly and penetrate easily into the soil after application. This results in the soil becoming nutrient-filled and fertile in a matter of days instead of weeks or months (which tends to be the case with natural fertilizers). These fertilizers are also readily available in the market. Despite all these positive points, one must remember to use this type of fertilizer in moderation. If they are used in large proportions, these fertilizers are capable of destroying the soil.
Although there are other types, chemical fertilizers can be classified into three main kinds: nitrogen-based fertilizers, phosphate-based fertilizers, and potassium-based fertilizers.
- Nitrogen-based fertilizers enhance the green color of the lawn, increase root development, and promote leaf growth. Botanists consider nitrogen to be the most important ingredient in any synthetic fertilizer.
- Phosphate-based fertilizers contain more phosphorus, which promotes root growth. Additionally, phosphorus orchestrates the absorption of nutrients by plants much quicker.
- Potassium-based fertilizer makes the lawn strong and able to withstand extreme weather conditions like drought and heat. This is why these fertilizers are used for repairing damaged lawns and promoting soil recovery after stressful situations.
Liquid (fast-acting) fertilizers
As the name implies, these fertilizers are sprayed on plants and the soil in liquid form. The usage of these fertilizers does not require a lot of effort. All one needs to do is create a liquid or semi-solid mix of fertilizers, pour it into a spray can, and spray it on the plants or soil. This kind of fertilizer can help in improving absorption in both the soil and plants. But there’s one potential downside to this product—it tends to dry out rapidly in hot weather and can be easily washed away from the soil during torrential rains.
Granular (slow-release) fertilizers
These are dry, pellet-like products that are applied to the soil surface. Once this process is completed, these pellets can be watered, where the water causes them to disintegrate and release nutrients gradually below the surface. Like organic fertilizers, granular fertilizers provide a consistent release of nutrients over a period of time. These fertilizers are sturdy in nature, which makes them resistant to rain, wind, blazing sunlight, or storms. These attributes make granular fertilizers a solid choice for any type of grass lawn.
Besides these, there are other types of fertilizers, such as spring, fall, and weed fertilizers.
Tips for choosing grass fertilizers
Certain ideas and instructions need to be considered and tried out when purchasing fertilizers. It is important to know the grass type. Depending on whether it is cool-season or hot-season grass, the appropriate type of fertilizer should be bought. Additionally, one should know the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) content of the soil, the specific nutrients required, the most suitable type and form of fertilizer for the lawn and soil, the amount of rainfall required, and the overall weather conditions of the given area.
Seeking professional help for fertilizer selection and soil fertilization is recommended to ensure optimal results.
Tips for fertilizing grass
When fertilizing the lawn, it is essential to keep a few insightful tips in mind. These tips can significantly improve the overall quality of the lawn and the soil.
- Use a broadcast or rotary spreader, a drop spreader, or a handheld, pre-calibrated, battery-powered spreader
- Consider grasscycling
- Aerate the soil well
- Use moderate amounts of fertilizer and water
- Use compost as fertilizer
