Does your lawn fertilizer contain these 3 key nutrients?This page listed under Lawn Care Tips: Lawn fertilizer is food for the lawns. It is part of caring for them and maintaining their lush turf. According to the experts, the best lawn fertilizers are those that contain the essential ingredients namely, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Among the three, nitrogen holds the most important role. It provides richness in color, and ensures strong, dense and thick growth of your turf. Potassium has more concentration in providing similar benefits to the roots and foliage, for stronger resistance to drought, disease, colder weather and wear and tear conditions. Working further deeper into the lawn is phosphorus. The roots are the primary beneficiary of such element. Also, the topsoil becomes healthier. Lawn food comes in four types. These are the liquid, synthetic, granular and organic. Liquid lawn foods are concentrated liquid. Its preparation includes mixing with water and applied using spray bottle. Although they are not for long term effects, the ingredients are immediately delivered to the leaves, and the results are almost instant. Compared to other fertilizers, the liquid form is expensive. It becomes even more costly as it needs to be applied more often than do other fertilizers. The synthetic fertilizers are chemically manufactured. With their fast release of nutrients that penetrate the soil, synthetic fertilizers make the lawns green. However, the results are momentary. In order to maintain good health of the grass, it needs constant application. Further, if not prepared properly, it can burn the grass. The granular type is today’s most popular because of longevity of results and easy to prepare. It has three formulas. The slow time-release, as the formula suggests, releases the nutrients slowly. Fertilization process can last from two to six months. The time-release is the homeowner’s favorites. The gap between applications can reach months. The fast release-time formula releases the nutrients faster. It also works better in cold weather and costs less. Derived from once living organisms and by-products, organic fertilizer is applied by spreader, rake or hand. Coined as a natural fertilizer, it breaks down slowly as it releases nitrogen. Among its benefits are enhanced texture, and more density especially when added to soil or sand. Its disadvantage is the strong foul smell of manures. In order to determine the best fertilizer, knowing the needs of the lawn is vital. The mixtures depend much on the lawn owner’s intent. Some need fertilizer to prepare the lawn for winter. If such is the case, the lawn fertilizers must be higher in potassium. |