There are a few things as fulfilling as seeing vast swathes of bright green grass or running barefoot on soft turf. That feeling is probably one of the reasons why lawns typically take up the most space in American yards.
In fact, the average American lawn space is around 0.225 acres or around 10,000 square feet, ranging from 2,500 square feet up to 22,000 square feet.
At times, or sadly, more often, our lawns look unhealthily dry, brown, thinning, or burnt while the grass next door looks as if it’s on grass steroids. If this is true for you, then you just might need the best fertilizer for green grass!
In this article, we’ll look take a look at the four best food for your lawn, things you need to know about fertilizers, as well as the factors that determine the excellent varieties.
Lawn Fertilizer Buyer’s Guide
The statistics above also explain the enormous market for lawn food that is available to the public. Hence, for us to find not just the best fertilizer for your lawn, but also the best in value: we’ll need an in-depth look at lawnfood.
Understanding Grass
Keeping your lawn healthy obviously takes more than just watering, sweeping, mowing, or trimming. Although these maintenance practices are also essential, choosing to feed your lawn with the right kind of fertilizer will be detrimental to its health and longevity, similar to any plant.
Nitrogen Hungry
Again, like any other plant, grass also needs nutrients. You could just go out and get a general fertilizer, but you should consider the specific needs of turf. For example, grass primarily requires nitrogen. This reason is why the majority of NPK lawn fertilizers are mainly made up of nitrogen.
Nitrogen is chiefly responsible for the growth, fullness, and intense green color, in grass. So, a deficiency in nitrogen will lead to weak growth, thin brown turf, and a lower resistance to illness.
Phosphorus for Young Grass
Phosphorus, on the other hand, is responsible for root growth, health, and development. Hence, it’s vital for sod or young grass as it continues to grow. Mature grass, however, does not typically need high applications of phosphorus.
Test your Soil
Before you start talking to the grass on your lawn and asking it why it has turned a dry shade of brown, it would be wiser just to make use of a Soil Test Kit.
Kits like these will help you know exactly what your lawn needs, whether it insufficient nutrients or improper acidity levels. Subsequently, you will then know the most appropriate type of fertilizer for your lawn.
Types of Lawn Fertilizer
The different types of fertilizers for lawns number in the thousands. However, you can group these types under three broad categories:
- Single – nutrient
- Multi – nutrient
- Organic
Then, branching out under these three categories are the controlled-release fertilizers, liquid or water soluble fertilizers, and finally, granular fertilizers.
Single-Nutrient Fertilizer
As the name implies, single-nutrient fertilizers feature one kind of element. Again, when it comes to grass, nitrogen is the nutrient of choice.
Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer
On the other hand, multi-nutrient lawn food features several types of nutrients for plant health. In addition to the basic NPK mix, this type of fertilizer may also contain manganese, calcium, iron, and other plant-healthy elements.
Organic Fertilizer
Lastly, when biological material, such as animal waste or plant matter, makes up a fertilizer, then it’s under the organic category. Although organic fertilizers may not be as nutrient-dense as its synthetic counterparts, these are usually more eco-friendly and are also safer for people and pets.
Granular vs. Liquid / Water Soluble Fertilizers
If you notice our top four best lawn fertilizers, you’ll see that there are both granular, as well as liquid (or water soluble) options. Accordingly, take note that these two types have very different characteristics.
For one thing, you would spread granular fertilizers by hand, or preferably, by a broadcast spreader. The spreader can be small enough to hold in your hand or big enough for larger lawn properties. Also, these tools ensure even and uniform fertilizer distribution.
Although the majority of granular fertilizers feature a form of controlled-release, there are also quick-acting products available.
Conversely, Liquid or water soluble fertilizers are typically fast-acting. Additionally, you would apply these kinds of fertilizers through a type of spray and hose system.
Frequency and Amount
Determining how often you fertilizer and how much is as important as using the right kind.
The Timing
It’s standard advice to feed your lawn in spring when the soil reaches approximate temperatures of 55°F (13°C) and, generally, this is a good guide. However, a better way to determine when you should start fertilizing is inspecting the overall condition of the grass.
For instance, if you see any signs of paleness, yellowing, or slow growth, then it may be time for a new application of fertilizer. Additionally, the soil test kit I mentioned earlier will be crucial in determining the right time to feed your plant.
The Amount
No matter how Ill, you would never give a sick person medicine more than what they actually need. Similarly, avoid overfeeding your turf with too much fertilizer. Otherwise, you may end up with a burned turf. Even if your grass seems very ill, remember that frequent feeding is better than overfeeding.
Generally, a good guide is to apply, at most, 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Of course, this will vary depending on the NPK ratios in your chosen fertilizer.
It would then be worthwhile to inspect the details and instructions on the packaging of the fertilizer. There, the coverage of the fertilizer is given in square feet.
For example, a box of the Miracle-Gro fertilizer on our top 4 list has a coverage of up to 4,000 square feet. So, if you’re lawn measures 1,000 sqft, then one bag will be sufficient for four applications.
Now, let’s get into the reviews of the top four lawn fertilizers!
4 Best Fertilizer For Green Grass
1. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food
Details:
The Miracle-Gro is a quick release fertilizer that features high quantities of nitrogen as well as iron supplementation. This formula is perfect for the lawn the needs a quick boost in health and color. Moreover, one box is good for up to 4,000 square feet of turf.
2. Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore, Lawn Fertilizer
Details:
The Lawn fertilizer from Safer is an easy favorite. First, it covers up to 5,000 sq ft. Second, it contains an NPK ratio of 10-0-6 while staying completely chemical-free since it is made up of organic plant material.
Hence, this lawn food is an excellent choice for those who want a low-impact fertilizer as well as people who have children or pets who frequent the lawn.
3. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
Details:
The Turf Builder from Scotts is similar to a sound investment that keeps on giving. Due to its controlled-release granules, maintaining your lawn allyear round will be a breeze. At the same time, you’ll have thicker and greener turf. Lastly, you’ll have enough food for up to 5,000 square feet of turf.
#4. Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Energizer
Details:
When your lawn needs the quick boost, look no further than the Lawn booster from Simple Lawn Solutions. It features essential nutrients and vitamins for optimal turf health, growth, and color for spraying over 3,200 square feet.
Also, the process of re-energizing your lawn becomes quicker due to the built in sprayer, perfect for focusedfeeding
Conclusion
There you have it! Those were our top four lawn fertilizers. Tell us If you know more!
Sources
- The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2005. Dictionary.com
- The Average American Yard The Nature Conservatory. 2017. Cornell University. Content.yardmap.org
- LAWN SIZE Erin Chapman. 2017. Penton Media. Grounds-mag.com
- How Best To Fertilize Your Lawn 2012. Cooperative Extension and Department of Horticulture, Cornell University. Gardening.cals.cornell.edu
- Lawn Fertilizing Mar 2014. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Ipm.ucanr.edu