Which Lawn Fertilizer Is Best - Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home remodeling and DIY. Tried, true and trusted tips for the home
With the best lawn fertilizers of 2023 coming up, get our top tips and recommendations for choosing the best lawn fertilizer for your yard - and don't miss out on our best deals!
Which Lawn Fertilizer Is Best
Whoever said, "The grass is always greener on the other side," probably didn't use the right thing. When it comes to keeping a yard in top shape, all it really takes is the best lawn fertilizer for the climate and a few dates on the calendar. Once the ideal formula is selected, simply apply as directed and follow the package directions. This guide will cover fertilizer basics and offer reviews of some of the top rated products on the market.
Sta Green 42 Lb 15000 Sq Ft 29 0 5 All Purpose Fertilizer In The Lawn Fertilizer Department At Lowes.com
With the rise of lawn care culture in the last century came a flood of science and marketing that promised the "perfect lawn." be careful. While these truly amazing products can support beautiful, healthy grass, the same products, used incorrectly, can kill grass, make people sick and worsen a number of environmental problems.
Before you buy and apply lawn fertilizer, find out what type and how much fertilizer your grass needs. A soil test, or a do-it-yourself kit, or a package sent through your local extension office will provide the information you need. Avoid any temptation to apply more than the test results suggest. This can disrupt soil chemistry, and possibly make it worse.
The lawn fertilizer industry is full of specialty products for every possible need. Special formulas are available for winterization, spring landscaping, summer maintenance, weeds and livestock, lawn starter, northern and southern grass formulas, and more. We wanted to cut through the noise and offer a lawn food that would be broadly beneficial to a wide range of lawns, including warm and cool season grasses and acid-loving lawns.
When it comes to formulas, we exclusively offer organic and natural products for many reasons. Organic fertilizers do not burn, promote healthy soil ecology, reduce nutrient runoff and provide long-term stable nutrition. Inorganic fertilizers can also perform these tasks, but as a category, organic fertilizers do so with a high degree of consistency from crop to crop.
The 5 Best Fertilizers (2023 Review)
A good yard fertilizer is essential when creating a strong, healthy lawn. In future reviews, we'll share more product information about our top picks and why we consider them some of the best lawn fertilizers.
Those looking to get their lawn looking its best for spring will want to consider this option from Aspoma. With an 8-0-0 NPK ratio, it's designed to keep lawns looking their best early in the season. (For a more in-depth explanation of NPK, please see the Nutrients section after the product description.) The formula includes feather feed and poultry manure to provide a healthy dose of nitrogen for green grass. The product comes in a 30-pound bag and can be used on recently mowed or established lawns.
Manufacturers recommend applying this fertilizer in February, March or April for cool season grasses and in January or February for warm season grasses. It is important to note that this formula does not contain potassium, so it is not a good choice for those with centipede grass or St. Augustine grass.
Melorganite has been a staple in the yard fertilizer industry since it was first introduced to the market in the 1920s. This lawn food is derived from heat-treated, nutrient-rich microbes that filter and process organic matter in municipal wastewater.
Best Lawn Fertilizer For Grass
The fertilizer has a 6-4-0 NPK breakdown, with 2.5 percent iron, which promotes deep greening. One application feeds for 10 weeks and does not require watering. A 32-pound bag covers 2,500 square feet.
This high nitrogen fertilizer with 7-1-2 NPK and amino acid content feeds the lawn at a slow and steady rate. The plant-based formula contains no problematic biosolids, fertilizers, recycled waste or animal parts. Non-flammable granules prevent damage and are designed for low soil so they are easy to apply and do not cause sneezes. A 40-pound bag feeds up to 11,000 square feet of lawn.
Innova 7-1-2 is Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed for use in certified organic operations and has a low-flow formulation that is safe for application near waterways. It promotes a healthy soil ecosystem by providing easily digestible carbon to feed soil microbes. This product is as close to the organic ideal as possible.
Those looking for a rich, dark green lawn may want to consider this all-natural fertilizer from Scots, an established brand in lawn care. When starting a new lawn, whether through seed, sod or chips, proper soil nutrition is essential. Scotts Natural Lawn Food offers a small boost of phosphorus for rapid root development and a high dose of nitrogen for healthy leaf growth. A 29.1-pound bag feeds 4,000 square feet of lawn.
Arctic Gro Lawn Fertilizer (16 16 16)
It can be applied either by drip or spray and should be watered after use. You can save water by applying fertilizer before the forecast rains.
This ground-fertilizer has an 8-3-5 NPK ratio with a high nitrogen content to promote early-season lawn growth. The potassium content helps reduce seasonal stress caused by temperature changes and drought. Its composition includes hydrolysed bird meal, blood meal, meat meal, bone meal and lignite, making it a very versatile product that can even feed corn, tomatoes and leafy vegetables, as well as lawns. can be used for
This fertilizer is approved by OMRI for use in organic horticulture. A 6-pound bag can feed up to 1,000 square feet of lawn, with larger bags available.
Harsh growing conditions can create a snowball effect where grass declines lead to soil erosion. When this happens, it takes a concerted effort to turn things around. First identify and address the source of the problem—often fungus, insects, or competition from the growing tree—and then treat the area with Safer Brand Lawn Restore Fertilizer. A combination of organic plant nutrients is designed to increase the biological activity of the soil while feeding the grass. A 20-pound bag treats 5,000 square feet of lawn.
Milorganite Long Lasting All Purpose Lawn Food, 6 4 0 Fertilizer, 32 Lb.
Safer Brand Lawn Restore is derived from natural fertilizer ingredients including feather meal, soybean meal, blood meal, alfalfa meal, mulch and potash. Nutrients are not soluble in water, but are released by the action of soil-forming microbes. It builds soil while nourishing plants while protecting the environment from the effects of nutrient runoff.
Making your own compost is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to keep your lawn healthy. To make a basic DIY organic fertilizer, mix equal parts bone meal, blood meal, and kelp meal in a large container. All of these ingredients can be found online or at a well-stocked garden store.
For every 100 square feet of lawn, spread about 5 pounds of the mixture evenly. Bone meal provides phosphorus for root growth, blood meal adds nitrogen for leaf development, and kelp meal contains a range of micronutrients that promote soil health. After applying fertilizer, give your lawn a good watering so that the nutrients penetrate into the soil. Alternatively, you can use compost tea, which is made by steeping compost in water for a few days and using the liquid as a fertilizer.
Because strong, intensive grass feeding comes with inherent risks of burning your lawn or polluting the environment, we recommend taking the natural approach. Our top overall pick, Espoma Lawn Fertilizer, is an affordable option that nourishes the soil for steady plant growth and deep greening effects. There are other common lawn fertilizer options on the market, including Scotts Turf Builder and Pennington Ultra Green Weed and Feed. However, they do not meet our sustainability guidelines and are not recommended in our top picks due to their potentially harmful ingredients and negative impact on the environment.
Lawn Fertilization 101
Shopping for lawn fertilizer is another thing that makes sense. Go ahead, learn more about what a lawn really needs and the best way to make sure your lawn is fertilized.
Three numbers are printed on all lawn fertilizer labels. Known as the NPK ratio, the numbers indicate the percentage of major nutrients (N for nitrogen, P for phosphorus, K for potassium) that the fertilizer contains. If a fertilizer's NPK ratio is 12-0-10, for example, it has 12 percent nitrogen, no phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium.
Generally, nitrogen helps plants stay green, phosphorus promotes root growth, and potassium protects against drought and disease. Depending on the type of grass, natural soil chemistry and climate, one combination will be better than the others. The best way to determine a lawn's exact needs is to start a fertilization program with a soil test and then find a fertilizer that fills the gap.
Once the optimal NPK number is determined, it's time to decide between synthetic or organic fertilizers.
The Best Time Of Day To Fertilize Your Lawn
The decision between fast and slow release fertilizer formulations comes down to the grass's metabolism. Two cases where quick release food can be
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