If you really want this lush green lawn, you need to find the best lawn fertilizer for your situation. Unfortunately, there are dozens of types of fertilizers on the market. Which do you choose?
This is where we come in. Today we will break down the best types of lawn fertilizers and how they work. Whether you are looking for organic nitrogen fertilizer or synthetic fertilizer, we have recommendations that meet your requirements.
Just think, with a little bit of know-how, you have the best lawn on the block and will be envied by your neighbors! So let's talk about fertilizers and how you can choose that for you.
Best lawn fertilizer ratings
1. Organic milorganite fertilizer
Milorganite is an organic nitrogen fertilizer. It contains 4% chelated iron and helps your lawn achieve this rich green color quickly.
Milorganite is one of the oldest fertilizers on the market and consists of heat-dried microbes that have broken down the organic matter in the wastewater. Once they have done their job, they die and leave a layer of cake. This caked material is dried, heated to kill all pathogens, and then crushed into granules that make for a fantastic organic fertilizer.
Milorganite is non-flammable and will not burn your lawn or grass when you use it. The NPK value of 6: 4: 0 means that it has little impact and is unlikely to damage the environment. Plus, you don't have to water it, which saves you time and effort.
Milorganite is environmentally friendly, safe and reliable for decades. For many it is the best lawn fertilizer and I can understand why!
Benefits:
- It shows quick results
- Does not cause fertilizer fire
- Part of an environmentally friendly cycle that recovers valuable nutrients from waste
- Does not need to be watered
Disadvantage:
- It can smell strongly in the first days after application
- Because of its popularity, it can sometimes be difficult to get
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2. Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore Fertilizer
The Ringer Lawn Restore fertilizer uses only herbal ingredients. There is no poultry waste, manure or other types of bio-solids. It improves root development and makes grass thicker and greener. The fertilizer lasts a long time, does not burn and produces results in 3 to 5 days.
Since it doesn't contain any crap, you don't have to worry about your lawn smelling bad every time you use it. It has a slight sea aroma due to some of the algae products used in it. It's also pet-friendly, so your pets don't have to avoid the fertilized area after application. Just don't let your dogs nibble on your bag!
The Ringer Lawn Restore fertilizer can be used in both cold and warm weather. Its NPK is 10-0-6 and fertilizer is unlikely to burn your grass.
Benefits:
- Minimal smell since there is no manure
- The effect lasts for a long time
- Feeds the soil that helps the lawn to thrive
Disadvantage:
- It takes a few weeks to update yourself
- Must be reapplied every 2 months to maintain lawn health
- Has a slightly sea-like aroma when applied
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3. Espoma Bio All Seasons Lawn Food
With this lawn forage from Espoma you can feed your lawn in any season. This fertilizer works quickly and gives you a greener glass soon after applying the product. It contains useful microbes that help your lawn absorb nutrients from the soil more easily.
Espoma Lawn Food is organic and made from feather meal and pasteurized poultry manure. As a result, the product can be used safely near pets and children. The NPK rating for this high nitrogen product is 18-0-3.
While Espoma also offers seasonal lawn forage options, the whole season is a good product for any time. If your lawn needs a pick-me-up, this delivers!
Benefits:
- It results in greener and thicker grass
- Pet and child safe formula
- Adds useful soil microbes to promote grass health
Disadvantage:
- Granules do not dissolve quickly even with additional irrigation or rain
- It has an earthy smell after use
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4. Scott's Turf Builder Lawn Food
Scott's Turf Builder Lawn Food promotes the growth of strong roots and makes your lawn more resilient and lush. An NPK ratio of 32-0-4 ensures that there is enough nitrogen to form a green lawn.
A synthetic fertilizer like this one offered by Scotts feeds the grass and not the soil. While part of the fertilizer can linger, Turf Builder Lawn Food is to be applied again all year round. They have a variety of seasonal products available, but we have chosen this all-season strain as a great choice for any occasion.
Scotts uses all-in-one particle technology that not only provides nutrients but also helps your lawn absorb water. It can be very good in drought-prone places. In addition, this all-season variety is suitable for almost all types of grass, regardless of the regional climate.
Benefits:
- It turns lawns green in a short time
- It's easy to use
- It helps improve moisture absorption and nutrient absorption
Disadvantage:
- The NPK ratio is very high at 32-0-4 and can lead to nitrogen burns if used excessively
- An inorganic formula only feeds the grass, not the soil
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5. Scott's Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food
Southern's Lawn Food from Scotts Turf Builder was specially developed for grass in the southern United States, where it is usually much warmer than in other regions. Its NPK ratio is 32-0-10, with plenty of nitrogen to create a lush green lawn.
The recipe is optimized for lawns in hot climates, whereby the nitrogen causes rapid growth even with extreme blistering. The particle technology that Scotts uses for its Turf Builder lawn feed line retains some moisture, which keeps the grass alive. Any grass that performs well in hot climates will enjoy this lawn food!
As with all Scotts products, this is not an organic option. However, Scott's lawn products are a recognized and respected inorganic solution for lawn fertilization.
Benefits:
- Does an excellent job at making the grass greener
- Optimized for hot climates where grass turns yellow quickly
- Available at an affordable price
Disadvantage:
- A high nitrogen content means that the grass can be burned if overused
- Inorganic fertilizers only feed the grass, not the soil
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6. Miracle-Gro water soluble lawn feed
I know that a lot of people are not fans of Miracle Gro products. Their NPK ratio is too high for practically all products and they do not feed the soil in addition to the lawn.
Nevertheless, they work surprisingly well when used as directed. They recommend using their hose end sprayer to ensure proper dilution, and they are very specific in terms of the amount of product to be added to the spray glass. If you follow the instructions, the water-soluble Miracle-Gro lawn feed is very easy to apply and results in a lush green carpet of grass.
At 36-0-6, this is the highest NPK option we list today. But remember, it is diluted with water. Once it has passed through the hose sprayer, apply a much lower dose overall. Just be careful not to overdo it as too much can cause burns. It is also recommended to fertilize early in the morning so that the grass can dry during the day.
Benefits:
- Greens the grass quickly
- Easy to use when using the company's hose sprayer
Disadvantage:
- Can cause burns to the fertilizer if overused
- Artificial fertilizer does not feed the soil, only the grass
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7. LawnStar Liquid Lawn Food
LawnStar liquid fertilizer is supplied in a ready-to-use spray bottle. Simply attach your garden hose and it will be pre-mixed to the perfect level for your lawn.
With an NPK of 16-4-8, it provides many of the most important nutrients you need for a healthy lawn. The high nitrogen content keeps your lawn green and green, regardless of the type of grass you have. In addition, algae extract has been added to feed your soil.
One third of the nitrogen in this fertilizer is in a slow release format. Not only will it feed your grass immediately, but it will also feed the lawn for a while afterwards.
Benefits:
- Produces greener grass in a short time
- Use on lawns is easy
- Contains both slow and instant nitrogen
Disadvantage:
- Ready-to-use liquid fertilizers bring less fertilizer for your money
- The company's own sprayer cannot be refilled and must be replaced when empty
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Understand what fertilizer is
Choosing the best lawn fertilizer can be a challenge. We help! Source: Mini D
There are many things that work as fertilizers. Whether synthetic or organic, a fertilizer is essentially a substance that provides your plants with nutrients. As a result, if your plants have the fertility they need in their soil, they are healthier. Healthy plants grow faster, produce higher quality flowers or fruits and are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
The basic nutrients your plants need are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These three resources give your plant almost everything it needs to survive:
- Nitrogen helps with photosynthesis and also accelerates rapid growth.
- Phosphorus helps with healthy root development and also helps with flowering and fruiting.
- Potassium strengthens the stems and supports good root development.
For lawns, we are less concerned with the supply of a large amount of phosphorus, since no flowers or fruits are produced on lawns. Our main interest is nitrogen so that it grows vigorously and stays healthy.
While these primary nutrients are essential for plant development, many others are also consumed. For lawn grass, iron in the form of chelated iron can produce a much deeper green color than the lawn could otherwise produce. And for those of us who are looking for a perfect lawn, that's important!
What kind of grass do you have?
It is important to know which grass you have. If you do not know your lawn type, you cannot select products optimized for this type. In addition, some types of weeds and feeds target certain grasses as weeds. It is not a good thing for your fescue lawn if its fertilizer kills it!
Some types of grass are best suited to a particular climate. For example, many of the grasses with thicker blades can withstand more heat than the types with slim blades. This makes it a great choice for the southern climate. The fine-leaved species can grow faster in cooler climates and return quickly after frost or ice.
As a rule, a product that is only a fertilizer without any weed control can be used on most types of lawn. You still need to have an idea of your lawn's ideal needs to get the best growth, but it's less likely to cause harm.
Types of lawn fertilizers
All lawns, large or small, need fertilizer to thrive. Source: As new
There are three basic variables that we discuss when we talk about lawn fertilizers.
Organic vs synthetic
Organic fertilizers are developed from naturally occurring sources. These can be other herbal products such as alfalfa flour, waste products such as chicken manure or dead material such as milorganites microbial substance. Many organic substances are safe for animals and children and feed the soil and the grass growing there.
Synthetic fertilizers are chemical mixtures that are produced in the laboratory. Although these contain the same basic nutrients in relation to NPK, they do not come from biological sources, but from laboratories. They are often purer than their organic counterparts and can burn fertilizer if used excessively. Plastics often only target the growing material in a lawn and in no way improve soil quality.
Granular vs Liquid
Granular fertilizers are pebble-like or pelletized fertilizers that can be easily distributed when dry. These only fertilize after wetting and then dissolve to release nutrients into the soil. You can send them by hand or spread them using a spreader. They can be used at any time of the day.
Liquid fertilizers include both water-soluble and pure liquid forms. These are applied with a hose end sprayer, which dilutes the fertilizer and spreads it over the lawn. It is best to apply in the morning so that the excess moisture evaporates during the day.
Quick release vs. Slow release
Slowly releasing fertilizers release nutrients through your lawn over time. They feed much longer because they slowly break down into the soil when watered.
In contrast, a quick fertilizer provides a quick insight into plant nutrition that lasts from a few days to a maximum of a few weeks. After this time, they tend to be washed out of the ground by regular watering.
When should the lawn be fertilized?
Depending on the type of fertilizer used, you may need to fertilize more or less frequently. It's best to read the manufacturer's instructions and apply as suggested.
In principle, all-season fertilizers can be applied at any time of the year. There are seasonal blends that are optimized for a specific season and the needs of your lawn during that time.
How much lawn fertilizer to use
As with fertilization, it depends on what you use. Follow your manufacturer's instructions regarding the amount to be used.
Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. Too much fertilizer can burn the blades of grass, and the fertilizer can also damage the grass roots system. Fertilizer fire leads to yellow, unsightly spots, which can take some time to grow back. Fertilize your lawn according to the label on your product.
Use lawn fertilizer safely
While most lawn fertilizers are generally recognized as safe, we still recommend some safety precautions when using or storing them.
- Wear protective gloves when working with lawn fertilizer. Whether it's a liquid fertilizer or a granular one, you don't really need large amounts of it on your skin.
- Keep lawn fertilizer out of the reach of pets and children. My dogs are absolutely fascinated by organic fertilizers and although it doesn't hurt to eat them, they can get sick if they eat a lot of them. Children just put everything in their mouths, and the blue color of a product like Miracle-Gro is appealing – and really unsafe to eat!
- Use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Although you may think that a lot of fertilizer is better than just a little, this is usually not the case. Too much fertilizer can cause your lawn to burn fertilizer. This can damage the roots and yellow the blades. Fertilize your lawn according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Make sure it is in an airtight container. Liquid fertilizer tends to spoil if it does not remain fully sealed. Granular types tend to clump when exposed to moist air. To ensure that your lawn fertilizer is ready to spread over your grass type, an airtight container is best.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
Last updated on 2020-01-27 / Partner Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
