A healthy, thick lawn is essential to a beautiful home landscape. It also limits erosion, cools the environment, and controls allergens.
The best way to grow a great lawn is by feeding it regularly with fertilizer. But as you walk the fertilizer aisle, you may need clarification about the three numbers on each bag.
Potassium
Picture this nutrient as the maestro that promotes leaf and stem growth by boosting photosynthesis — the lifeblood of a luxuriant lawn. It also toughens the cellular structure of grass, making it more resilient to stress, disease, and freezing temperatures.
Unlike nitrogen and phosphorus, too much potassium doesn’t directly sabotage your soil. However, too much could alter how your soil absorbs other macronutrients.
Potassium is available as granular and liquid fertilizers. Acceptable potassium is spread with spreaders, while liquid can be applied with a hose or sprayed over large areas. Before using any fertilizer, always consult the soil test results and the fertilizer analysis on the bag to determine how much you should apply. For best results, consult experts like lawn care Idaho Falls to select a fertilizer with a pre-emergent weed killer.
Weed and Feed
Weed and feed products satisfy two crucial lawn care needs simultaneously. They combine fertilizer and herbicide to zap weeds while feeding the grass. However, they are often less effective than either product used alone.
In addition, weed and feed often contain 2,4-D, which is linked to cancer, decreased fertility, and congenital disabilities in families that use it. This chemical is also released into the environment when it runs off lawns and seeps into storm drains, affecting water supplies and contaminating soil microbes.
Weed and feed are generally best applied in early spring when plants are actively growing. It’s a good idea to lightly water the lawn before using and then avoid any further watering 24 hours afterward to prevent the wash-off of granules and the application of too much herbicide.
Fertilizer Types
The goal of every homeowner is to maintain a healthy, lush lawn that adorns the property and benefits the surrounding environment. To achieve this, the grass needs nutrients that it can’t get from the soil alone. This is where fertilizers come in.
The most common types of fertilizers include organic and inorganic. The organic ones are derived from carbon-based materials from plant or animal sources. They provide essential nutrients in a slow-release manner to promote turf growth and discourage weeds.
Inorganic fertilizers are chemically produced and contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in different combinations to match the nutrient requirements of a particular type of turf. They may also have essential secondary and micronutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen fuels grass growth, encouraging the production of chlorophyll that helps lawns produce energy and feed themselves. It’s also one of the most common ingredients in fertilizers (including organic ones). It can be found in animal byproducts, like blood meal and fish emulsion, and plant-based products, such as corn gluten meal.
A stroll down the fertilizer aisle at the store can be overwhelming, with bags bearing complex numbers and ratios. But understanding those numbers can help you purchase the right fertilizer for your yard — and the right time of year to apply it.
Fertilizers contain nutrients that promote lush green lawns, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients help fuel grass growth while protecting it from disease and weeds.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is tightly regulated because it has been shown to degrade water quality. It can cause algae blooms in lakes, harming fish and other aquatic life. It can also contribute to nutrient runoff that pollutes drains, rivers, and streams.
Adding fertilizer and weed control to your lawn will give it the boost it needs to thrive. However, it is essential to understand how they work and use them correctly to get the best results. The first step is always to remove weeds using safe herbicides. This prevents them from stealing water and nutrients from your grass. Then, you can apply a fertilizer with a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (K). You should consult your county extension office about phosphorus regulations for your area.