

There can also pose environmental damage and health risks if they leach into the local water supply. The downsides to synthetic fertilizers are their reputation for “burning” (i.e., killing) grass if used in too heavy-handed a manner. Synthetic varieties are engineered from minerals, gasses, and even waste with the intent of delivering fast results-sometimes within a matter of days.Once you ascertain your best NPK number, it’s time to decide between a synthetic or organic fertilizer. The best way to determine the exact needs for your lawn is by beginning your fertilization program with a soil test, and then finding the fertilizer that best fills in what’s missing. Depending on the type of turf you have, the soil’s native chemistry, and the climate where you live, one combination will be better than others. Generally speaking, nitrogen helps plants stay green, phosphorus promotes root growth, and potassium guards against drought and disease. If a fertilizer’s NPK ratio is 12-0-10, for example, it contains 12 percent nitrogen, no phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium. Known as the NPK ratio, the numbers stand for the percentage of basic nutrients (N for nitrogen, P for Phosphorus, K for Potassium) the fertilizer contains. You may have noticed three digits printed on lawn fertilizer labels. Just ahead, find out more about what your lawn really needs, and the best way to provide it. Shopping for lawn fertilizer is anything but intuitive. What to Consider When Choosing Lawn Fertilizer Doing so could screw up the soil chemistry, and maybe worse. Avoid any temptation to apply more than the test results recommend.

A soil test, either a do-it-yourself kit or a mail-in packet through your local extension service, will provide the information you need. While these truly amazing products can support a beautiful, healthy patch of grass, the same products used improperly can kill the grass, make you sick, and aggravate a host of environmental problems.īefore buying and applying lawn fertilizer, find out what kind of fertilizer and how much your grass needs. With the rise of lawncare culture over the past century, a stream of science and marketing has arisen, promising ”the perfect lawn.” Use caution.
