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Lawn Fertilizer

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Lawn Fertilizer

• The Pros & Cons of Liquid Lawn Fertilizer
• Potassium Fertilizer for the Lawn
• Stay Green with Manure Fertilizer
• The 411 on Chemical Fertilizer
• Nitrogen Fertilizer For Your Lawn
• What is Organic Lawn Fertilizer?

Slow release, fast release, and 5-10-10—these are all part of understanding what type of lawn fertilizer is best for your yard. In selecting lawn fertilizer, you want one with the appropriate amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). For example, a 50 pound bag of lawn fertilizer labeled 20-10-10 means that 20% is nitrogen, 10% is phosphorus, and 10% is potassium, the remaining 60% contains iron, sulfur, and organic materials.

Before heading to the nearest garden center and randomly selecting lawn fertilizer, there are several guidelines and descriptions you should understand.

Lawn Fertilizer Descriptions:

• Slow release lawn fertilizer gradually releases nitrogen into the soil; last longer; and requires fewer applications.
• Fast release lawn fertilizer immediately gets nitrogen into the soil; is lower in cost and will work even in cold weather.

Lawn Fertilizer Guidelines:

1. Be sure to determine what grade (ratio) and amount of lawn fertilizer to use-can be done by having a soil test.
2. Warm season lawns should be fertilized from early spring to late summer.
3. Use only the suggested amounts of lawn fertilizer.
4. Use a rotary spreader to apply even amounts of lawn fertilizer
5. Spread the fertilizer in 2 directions each time it is applied.
6. Apply fertilizer to dry grass then water well upon finishing.
7. Sweep up any spilled fertilizer from pavement or walkways to be used later on.
8. Cool season yards should receive the bulk of their lawn fertilizer in early fall
9. Use slow release nitrogen as much as possible, especially if you have sandy soil.
10. Never spread left over fertilizer on trees, shrubs, or flowers as the extra nitrogen increase plant growth but decreases fruit and flower; consequently, the plants become prime targets for bugs.

Common Lawn Fertilizers
Fast Release Lawn Fertilizers	Slow Release Lawn Fertilizers
Ammonium nitrate	Activated sludge
Ammonium phosphate	Alfalfa meal
Ammonium sulfate	Bone Meal
Calcium Nitrate	Compost manure
Urea	Dried poultry waste
	Methylene urea
	Soybean meal
	Sulfur-coated urea
	Urea formaldehyde

For a specific yard profile and understanding of the lawn fertilizers that will work best in your region, talk to your local agricultural extension for their recommendations.