We all know that nothing good comes easy. Keeping a healthy lawn is no exception. If you do not have access to the right tools or supplements, it is going to be very challenging. There are a lot of ways one can take care of a lawn. This includes watering, de-thatching, aerating, and, most notably, fertilizing.
If all these are carried out with the right equipment and substances, your lawn will be able to withstand diseases and drought by itself.
So, maybe you know how to water the lawn, de-thatch it and aerate it, but what about fertilizing?
Today, we will be considering the top 5 lawn fertilizers that are just perfect for your lawn.
Top Fertilizer for Grass
Best Overall
Key Features
Rating: 4.9/5
Do you have newly planted grass? Look no further. Scotts is here for you. It caters solely to the needs of new grass and ensures that it grows thicker and stronger with time.
Verdict and Rating
This product is highly recommended. Especially for people who want to create new lawns. It gets a 4.9/5 rating in our books.
Premium Pick
Key Features
Rating: 4.7/5
This organic nitrogen fertilizer is one of the best products in the market right now. Your lawn will look ever sharp.
Verdict and Rating
This product has all you need to take your lawn to the next level. We give it a 4.7/5 rating.
Budget Pick
Key Features
Rating: 4.6/5
When it comes to the combination of affordability and quality, the answer is Jonathan.
Verdict and Rating
This product is highly recommended for all grass types. We will give it a 4.6/5.0 rating.
Key Features
Rating: 4.5/5
This advanced lawn food is an entire buffet. It has an NPK ratio of 16-4-8, which makes it appropriate for all kinds of lawns. It is the perfect mix of all the key essential macronutrients. Plus, it contains Seaweed and Fish.
Verdict and Rating
This all-in-one product encompasses everything you will ever need. It’s a 4.5/5.0 ranking for us.
Key Features
Rating: 4.4/5
If you are looking for a product that can do an effective job and is cost-friendly, look no further! One beautiful thing about this fertilizer is that it contains corn gluten, a substance that serves as a great source of nitrogen.
Verdict and Rating
In all, it is a very efficient product. We give it a 4.4/5.0 rating.
How to Choose a Weed Eater
The Best Time to Fertilize
The best time is springtime. This is when the temperature of the soil reaches about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, most flowers begin to bloom, and grasses begin to grow. The soil usually gets to this temperature at around mid-April.
Look Out for the NPK Ratio
NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. They are the three most essential plant macronutrients. Look out for the NPK ratio often represented by three numbers. These numbers show the percentage of the individual nutrients.
For instance, if you buy a bag with a 20-5-10 NPK ratio, it simply means that the bag contains 20% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The rest of the bag can then include other micronutrients or filler materials to guarantee an even application. Note that 20-5-10 is an ideal NPK ratio for springtime.
Make Use of Slow-release Fertilizers
They tend to break down their nutrients over time. Thus, the waiting period is longer. Instead of applying every four weeks, you can stretch it to six to eight weeks.
You should also get a product that contains nitrogen. However, it should be applied slowly. This is because the maximum amount of nitrogen needed on the lawn is the one-tenth of a pound.
The lawn isn’t going to grow greener than that if you apply it excessively. Instead, it is going to grow fast and prematurely.
Use Granules Instead
Most people are indecisive of whether to use granules instead of sprays. However, experience has shown that granules are better. If you watch professional landscapers applying fertilizer on a lawn, you will see that they often use spreaders to get the granules everywhere in a short amount of time.
So, get the right equipment i.e. a spreader and consider environmental factors like the wind before using the granules.
Water, water, water!
It is important that you understand that watering is not fertilization, and fertilization is not watering. Do not replace one interchangeably for the other.
Contrary to myths, the more you water a plant, the more fertilizer you need to give to it. Watering makes the lawn grow, and growth requires fertilization.
If you have an automatic sprinkler in your house (and it is recommended that you get one if you don’t), you can fertilize the lawn once every six weeks. If you do not, you can wait for an additional two weeks.
Furthermore, ensure that you read the instruction manual or talk to a professional before using a particular brand. This helps you to find out whether you should use it before or after watering.
Most granulated fertilizers require the soil to be moist before coming in, while others need the soil to be thoroughly soaked.
Apply the Fertilizer in a Balanced Fashion
The key here is to apply it at a moderate rate. Most products come with instructions on how much you need to use. Always start by using half of what is written on the instruction guide.
Do not also apply with a wide-open spreader to avoid excessive application. Begin by applying around the edges (the perimeter) of the lawn.
Then, proceed to the middle in one direction and then proceed in a direction perpendicular to the one you took before. This helps to get an even spread.
Note that since you are using half the recommended rate, you do not have to worry about spacing between rows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Best Ratio for Lawn Fertilizers?
The best ratio for NPK is either 4:1:2 or 3:1:2. Another good factor to consider is the kind of nitrogen in the product. Is it fast-release or slow-release?
How Does Frequent Mowing Affect My Lawn?
Mowing helps your lawn grow thicker as the tip of each of the blades has hormones that reduce horizontal growth. When they are cut off, your lawn is allowed to spread and grow thicker.
What Should I Never do to My Lawn?
Never mow your lawn when the ground is wet. The best time to mow grass is when it is dry. Rain (or even moisture) causes the grass to bend which makes cutting difficult.
You can also slip on the wet grass if you are not careful.
How do I Grow a Beautiful Lawn Naturally?
Aerate the soil to improve its texture. Then water and fertilize frequently. You can also use pH adjusters if you need to get the pH of the soil in an optimal range.
Here’s a video that can help.
Final Thoughts
For us, your best option will remain the Scotts Turf Builder’s Food. While this may be our recommended option, you are always welcome to make your own choice!