Best Fertilizer for Grass

Are you wondering what the best fertilizer for grass during spring, summer, fall, and winter is? In this comprehensive lawn fertilizer guide, I will take you by the hand and make sure you get the right fertilizer for your lawn…

Fertilizing your grass is a lot easier than you think; there are many different types of fertilizers available, and there’s also a range of approaches to fertilizing, from sprinkling fertilizer on the ground to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil.

How you do it depends on the type of fertilizer you’re using, the type of grass you have, your climate, the season, and your personal preference. (For example, some people think it’s better to apply fertilizing granules directly onto the soil, while others prefer to spread it on the lawn and let the rain wash it down.)

Fertilizer is a crucial component in growing and maintaining a healthy lawn. Unfortunately, most people don’t bother fertilizing since they don’t know the product to use or when and how to apply it.

If fertilizer isn’t applied correctly, it can do more harm than good. Choosing the best fertilizer for grass needs a bit of research than selecting what’s readily available in your local store. In fact, it’s easy to buy a top-rated grass fertilizer that will keep your lawn lush online.

Unfortunately, there are several types of fertilizers on the market. Which one will suit your situation? That’s where we come in handy. This guide covers everything you need to know about the best fertilizer for grass that will create the best lawn on the block and be the envy of your neighbors! Additionally, we’ve selected the most effective grass fertilizers that have the least dire consequences to your lawn. Let’s dive in!

What Type of Grass Do You Have?

Understanding the type of grass you have on your lawn is crucial. If you’re not keen on your grass type, you may not choose products designed for its type. Additionally, some fertilizers target some grass varieties as weeds, which may not be a good thing for your beautiful lawn!

Some grass varieties work well in a certain climate. For example, thick-blade grass can work well in a hot climate than slender-blade types making them a great option for southern climates. The fine-blade types grow well in cool climates and can return easily after ice or frost.

As a rule of thumb, any fertilizer with any form of weed control can suit most lawn types. However, you’ll need to have an idea of your lawn’s situation for the best outcome, but in most cases, it’s less likely to damage your grass.

Understanding What Fertilizer Is

Several products look like fertilizers on the market. Whether organic or synthetic, a fertilizer is basically a substance that adds nutrition to plants. When your plants get the fertility they need in the soil, they will grow healthy as a result. Healthy plants produce high-quality flowers and fruits and grow more quickly and less vulnerable to diseases and pests.

The basic requirements needed by your plants are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These three components provide the most crucial nutrients needed for plant survival:

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a protein that assists in photosynthesis and also stimulates quick growth. This nutrient also helps plants fight destructive pests, which promotes the lush green color in your lawn.

Phosphorous

Phosphorus helps plants to convert nutrients into growth agents. It also aids in flowering and fruiting and stimulates root development. If you’re dealing with new grass and want to boost growth, a fertilizer rich in phosphorus will help you do that. However, if your grass has been around for years, look for a fertilizer that has less phosphorus.

Potassium

Potassium is known to stimulate plant growth. It aids in root development and strengthens the stems. It is known as a “quality nutrient” since it affects its color, size, and shape. If you spot a healthy-looking grass, most likely it’s exposed to potassium. Additionally, it also assists plants to gain resistance to drought and cold.

A large amount of phosphorus is not necessary for lawns since grass does not produce fruits or flowers. Our crucial component is nitrogen because it keeps your lawn growing vigorously and healthy.

While these primary nutrients are crucial for plant development, others boost grass development. For instance, turfgrass needs iron to give your lawn a deep green color. If you’re on the quest for a perfect lawn, that’s crucial!

Types of Lawn Fertilizers

There are three basic variables of fertilizers for grass. You’ll also see numbers on the bags of fertilizers, which show the amount of each nutrient in the bag. For instance, a 10-10-10 represents an even ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Organic Vs. Synthetic

Organic fertilizers are created from organic plant products like kelp, alfalfa, and blood meal. These fertilizers are child and pet friendly and provide long-term effects. Organic fertilizers require a few applications and have fewer chances of over-fertilizing. However, they are costly, hard to apply, and may attract bugs and pets.

Synthetic fertilizers are usually developed in a lab setting. Although they have the same NPK nutrients, they are derived from the lab rather than organic products. These fertilizers have exact ratios of nutrients, are affordable, easy to find, and quick-acting. However, they can cause fertilizer burn when overused and could become toxic in case of over-fertilization. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers only target the growing grass and do not improve the soil quality.

Granular Vs. Liquid

Granular fertilizers are pelletized or pebble-like that can be spread easily when dry. When wet, they break down to release nutrients into the soil. These fertilizers are broadcasted by a spreader device or hand. You can apply the fertilizer at any time of the day.

Liquid fertilizers come in pure liquid and water-soluble forms. They are applied using a hose-end sprayer which sprays the fertilizer in your lawn. For the best results, apply liquid fertilizers in the morning to let excess moisture to evaporate during the day.

Quick-release Vs. Slow Release

Quick-release fertilizers release nutrients quickly and last for a few days or weeks at most. These fertilizers can be eliminated from the soil by constant watering.

By contrast, a slow-release fertilizer releases nutrients gradually across your grass over time. They supply nutrients for long since they break down slowly as the grass is being watered.

How to Estimate Fertilizer Needs

The simplest way to estimate fertilizer needs is to measure your grass surface area. Measure the length and width and calculate the square footage. If this isn’t possible, strategic guessing is a great option.

Generally, eight steps are around 10-ft of space. Walk from side-to-side on your lawn to determine width and length. You’ll at least get an idea of the space you’re supposed to cover. For a misshaped lawn, consider the following calculations:

Circles: Locate the center of the circle and walk to the edge of it. Multiply the number you get by 3.14 to determine the surface area.
Triangles: Check the width and length of the triangles. Multiply the two numbers and divide by two. This will help you to determine the surface area.

When you’ve done your calculations, add all of them to get your lawn’s total surface area.

When to Fertilize Your Grass

When you want to fertilize your lawn, the general rule is, the earlier, the better. You’ll want to get enough nutrients to your grass when they need them. To ensure your grass gets the best, check weather forecasts and try to fertilize the day before light rains. This is not only the best method to put down your fertilizer but also lets Mother Nature do the rest for you.

If you have an established lawn, fall is the best time to fertilize it. This is because fall comes with cold temperatures and can be wetter than other periods of the year. Additionally, this is the best condition your lawn needs to absorb nutrients sufficiently.

Spring is also a great time for fertilizer application since nature is coming back to life and is ready for some nutrients. Quick-release weeding strategies can help to eliminate pests and weeds early.

Using Grass Fertilizer Safely

Although most lawn fertilizers are considered safe, you need to practice some safety precautions when using and storing them.

Wear protective gloves

When you are working with grass fertilizer, ensure that you’re fully protected. Whether it’s a granular fertilizer or a liquid one, you should prevent it from getting on your skin. Being in contact with nitrogen could lead to a chemical burn.

Do A Soil Test

Before applying the lawn fertilizer, take your soil, and test it. The test will show the nutrients your soil lacks and also help you determine the soil’s pH. This information will help you to buy a fertilizer that contains the type of nutrients your soil lacks.

Method of Application

How do you apply fertilizer to your grass? Using a sprayer or a spreader? Selecting an appropriate application method is crucial, especially if you’re applying the fertilizer in the summer.

If you’re not traveling for a summer vacation or camp, then you can apply it yourself. However, if you’ll be out of town, a time-release fertilizer or gradual-release is a good option.

Store Safely

Whether you’re using chemical or organic fertilizer, always keep it away from kids and pets. The best place to store it is in your garage or a garden shed. You should keep it in a cool and dry place. Therefore, if you live in a hot place, you may need to store the fertilizer in an indoor area.

Ensure the fertilizer is in an airtight container. Liquid fertilizer may spoil if not properly sealed. Granular ones may clump when exposed to moist air. To ensure your fertilizer is always ready to spread over your lawn, keep it in an airtight container.

Apply Carefully

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying the fertilizer. Excessive application can damage the roots and burn your grass. After fertilizing your lawn, keep kids and pets off until it has rained or you’ve watered the lawn.

FAQs

Will Lawn Fertilizer Kill Weeds?

Most grass fertilizers out there won’t eliminate weeds. Instead, use other methods of weed control to keep your lawn weed-free.

Will Applying Lawn Fertilizer Cure Patches?

Fertilizing an area that has patches on your lawn will not cure the existing patches. Instead, you should seed the affected area with new seeds and then apply fertilizer after the grass has grown a little on its own.

Is Lawn Fertilizer Safe for Pets?

Note that not all grass fertilizers are pet friendly. However, several brands make pet-safe lawn fertilizers. You can easily pick a pet-safe fertilizer by checking the product packaging. Always remember to check the product description or leaflet for confirmation.

Can Lawn Fertilizer be Applied in the Rain?

As stated earlier, fertilizing should be done with a weather forecast in mind. This relieves you of the stress of reapplying your fertilizer after the rain. If it’s during a rainy season and you apply the granular fertilizer, most of it will be swept by rainwater into your drainage.

Applying fertilizer when raining will cost you a fortune, and the time you take to reapply the fertilizer again. In summary, it’s not advisable to apply fertilizer when raining.

Can You Use Lawn Fertilizer on Plants?

Yes, lawn fertilizer can be used on plants. However, you must be keen on the NPK numbers and other components such as manganese, iron, etc. For example, if you want to use it on your flowers, buy one that’s rich in nitrogen because it enhances plants’ greenness and growth. However, for plants with fruits, go for a fertilizer with a low concentration of nitrogen.

Which Lawn Fertilizer is Good to be Used in Spring?

Most lawn fertilizer brands indicate their products as safe for fall or spring. If you’re looking for a grass fertilizer for spring, check the product descriptions and packaging.

When is it Safe to Apply Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer?

The application of winter fertilizers has no predefined time. However, most homeowners apply it in September, October, or in early November. Always check out the weather forecast for winter earlier, considering the current climate changes.

Which Lawn Fertilizer is High in Nitrogen?

This is determined by the NPK ratio, and if the first number has a high value, then fertilizer is rich in nitrogen. For example, if the value on the packaging is 24-6-8, then the fertilizer has a high nitrogen percentage and low phosphorus and potassium percentage, respectively.

Best Fertilizer for Grass Buying Guide

Unfortunately, selecting the best fertilizer for a lawn isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are different types of fertilizer available in the market today, and choosing one that suits your lawn situation can be challenging. Here are some important aspects to consider before placing a product in the cart.

Type of Grass

Before making the final decision, make sure you know the type of grass in your compound. Although most lawn fertilizers work well with different types of grass, some are efficient on specific grass.

Ease of Use

Your chosen lawn fertilizer should be quite easy to use. You should not go for a fertilizer that comes with hard-to-read instructions. Therefore, buy one that is easy to prepare and has easy-to-follow instructions.

Application Coverage

If you have a small lawn that needs maintenance, look for a ready-to-use fertilizer. If you have a large area or dealing with a challenging situation, concentrated products will be a good choice.

Ingredients

Different grass fertilizers feature different ingredients. To get the right product for your grass, it’s crucial to understand the ingredients used in the fertilizer and its effects.

Kid and Pet Friendly

If you have kids and pets at home, then their safety should be your top priority when selecting a fertilizer for your lawn. Some products out there come with harmful ingredients but are safe after hours of application.

Weather

You should consider your location’s climate as this can have a perfect or adverse effect depending on the decision you make. If the environment is hot and dry, go for the turf builders. They are excellent for water absorption for optimal grass health.

The Severity of the Problem

Always consider the condition of your grass before buying fertilizer. Check if your grass requires intensive or basic spraying. By checking this, you can easily choose the best product that will solve your grass situation.

Your Lawn’s Nutritional Needs

The nutritional requirements of your lawn should be your top priority. Your lawn needs both micronutrients and macronutrients. You’ll also need a fertilizer that is rich in calcium, sulfur, hydrogen, magnesium, and carbon. However, most of these nutrients are naturally available. Additionally, you need to identify the fertilizer that will solve all your lawn problems.

The Purpose of the Fertilizer

Most lawn fertilizers come in different sorts; each is designed to solve a specific nutritional challenge. These problems may vary from pest control to grass growth, annoying weed issues, etcetera.

Additionally, if the fertilizer is created for a specific type of grass, it may not be effective for your type of grass. Therefore, ensure you assess the nutritional components of the fertilizer carefully before making a purchase.

Soil Moisture and Acidity

If your grass lacks moisture and consists of coarse soil, apply a fertilizer that is rich in gypsum. You should also consider the soil’s pH. If the alkaline levels are high, you’ll need to spread a fertilizer that reduces the imbalance.

Best Fertilizer for Grass in Winter

As I’m sure you know, one of the best ways to help your grass and lawn grow and look healthy is to feed it with a good fertilizer.

There are dozens of different kinds of fertilizer available on the market today, each designed for a different purpose.

While they all help your grass grow, some fertilizers are better for certain weather and soil conditions than others.

If you live in a part of the country where winter weather makes lawn care impossible, you may be wondering which fertilizer is best for your lawn during the winter months.

What is Winterizer?

This is a late fall fertilizer application that helps lawns store food for winter months and enhance rapid and thick rooting and growth in the spring. However, you should not fertilize during the winter because the grass may be dormant if you’ve not been irrigating the lawn. This means your grass may not be able to utilize the nutrients available efficiently. Additionally, you may be feeding the cool-season weeds that are looking for a meal.

Conclusion

Ideally, no fertilizer is 100% efficient on the grass. It depends on several factors like the severity of the problem, the season, and other similar factors. However, to get the best product that suits your situation, our handy buying guide will help you make an informed decision. Additionally, we have reviewed the best fertilizer for the grass of all times. Good luck!