Your lawns need essential nutrients to look beautiful and healthy, just as the human body needs the necessary food supplements to look healthy. We learned to eat a balanced diet, that is, eating the right portion of the food classes. Lawns also need some primary nutrients to thrive because each nutrient has a different function it performs for your lawns.
Nutritionists tell us we need to feed our body with these nutrients from our diets, not minding that our body has a few of these nutrients. As the body grows and works, the nutrients get burned, and we must replenish them back. You might think your soils should have the necessary nutrients to make your lawns healthy and beautiful, but that is not always the case, as these soil nutrients may not be enough for your growing grasses.
Fertilizers are generally substances added to plants or agricultural products to improve them. And yes, Lawns also have fertilizers with these needed nutrients in the right proportion.
The primary nutrients required by lawn grasses are Potassium, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient as it moves through the soil with irrigation water and rain; thus, it needs to be replaced to maintain healthy and green grass. The other two nutrients, Phosphorus and Potassium, are immobile and are sufficiently available in the soil until the plants use them.
Besides the essential three nutrients your lawn needs, you should also be aware of the levels of other secondary micronutrients such as manganese, iron, calcium, zinc, cobalt, and a couple of others.
Best Lawn Fertilizer - Top 8 Reviews
Like most products in recent times, we now have several options whenever we want to get an item. Fertilizing your lawn is very important and should not be discarded if we intend to have a healthy and lush yard.
However, it is always necessary to carefully scan through the content of the fertilizer from whichever brand it is. A wide range of fertilizers have a different ratio of the essential nutrients your lawn need and thus would produce different results.
Most fertilizers have a number of combinations on their packs which represent the ratio of the nutrients in them. The number ratio represents the NPK content ratio of the fertilizer. Where N is the Nitrogen, P is the Phosphorus, and K represents Potassium. Putting your variety requirement at heart, we have carefully selected top and high performing lawn fertilizers that would help make your lawn grass lush, thick, healthy, and green.
1
Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore, Lawn Fertilizer - 25 Pounds
Using a brand of fertilizer that is safe is necessary to protect your lawn and preserve your efforts. The safer brand is the ideal fertilizer for your lawn grass, and it tops our list; the safety is not just from its name; it shows deep into its functions and impacts on your lawn grass.
The ringer lawn fertilizer wants the best for your lawn grass and thus is composed of plan-based nutrients and not bio-solids or animal waste. It contains no manure and gives off no odor when applied to your grass. Unlike some fertilizers that make it impossible for you to come close to your lawn after application, this brand does not.
Some lawn owners may be concerned about the size of their lawn and seek a fertilizer that can cover a large landmass. This fertilizer can cover as far as 5,000 sq. ft with just a 25 pounds pack. When applied, your grass shows a change within 3-5 days after application, resulting in your grass getting green rather quickly.
The Basic nutrient ratio of this fertilizer is NPK 10-0-6; this shows that its Nitrogen level is 10, Phosphorus is 0, and Potassium is 6. The phosphorus level being 0 makes it perfect for grasses with an already established root system. With this fertilizer, you get enough Nitrogen that makes your grass green and lush and helps to limit the growth of weeds.
The safer brand ringer fertilizer is not just safe for your grass but also for your pets due to its organic nature. Unlike some other synthetic fertilizers containing chemical products that can cause burning to your lawn, the safer brand ringer fertilizer can not compel such burnings to your lawn grass.
This fertilizer is applicable at ideal several times during early spring, mid-summer, and fall. It is also perfect for several grass types such as Perennial Ryegrass, Bermuda Grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Centipede Grass, etc.
Key Features:
- Boosts greener lawns
- It covers up about 5,000 sq. ft
- Contains no animal waste
- Safe for pets
- Odorless
Specification:
- Brand: Safer Brand
- Product Dimension: 3.23 x 14.11 x 24.01 inches
- Product Weight: 25 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It has a quick response from plants
- It ensures a balanced nature of nutrients in your soil
- It can cover a large landmass of about 5,000 sq. ft
- It reduces the spread of weeds
- It contains organic plant-based contents that do not cause your lawn to burn
- It is the best choice for getting a greener looking lawn grass
- Customers have said that its greening ability lasts long after application
Cons
- It is very expensive
2
Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer, 32-Pound (Pack of 2)
Milorganite 0636 is another top-rated organic lawn fertilizer that has been a much accepted and loved brand among lawn owners—hugely trusted for doing a great job of making your lawn grass green, lush and thick. Unlike some other organic fertilizers, aside from its organic contents, it has an addition of Iron which adds to its greener impacts on lawn grasses.
The Milorganite lawn fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 5-2-0, which does not contain Potassium. This absence of Potassium makes it difficult for you to use the fertilizer in locations that experience drought regularly but is suitable for lawn grasses already established.
This fertilizer has a slow-release feature that reduces the amount of time spent in mowing, and this feature is ideal for use anywhere. Like most organic fertilizers, Milorganite is safe for your kids and pets and, in addition, helps to reduce the need for you to water your lawn always.
Customers have talked continuously about how the application of this fertilizer has reduced the presence of flies and other pests.
Key Features:
- It contains Iron
- It is an organic fertilizer
- It reduces the need for watering
- It is granular
Specification:
- Brand: Milorganite
- Product Weight: 36 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It has a total organic formula
- It can be used for all seasons
- It is safe for your children and pets
- The presence of Iron makes it brings a better green looking grass
Cons
- The smell is terrible
- It is quite expensive
- It can burn your lawn grass if not diluted with enough water
3
Miracle-Gro 1001833 Lawn Food Water Soluble Lawn Fertilizer (6 Pack)
Although some lawn owners have confidence in organic fertilizers, there are a record number of synthetic lawn fertilizers that are very effective. The Miracle-Gro lawn fertilizer is soluble, and this means it is liquid which makes it absorbed by the grass quickly. We all want our grasses to look rich and green as it boosts our image in the neighborhood; this brand of fertilizer is sure to do just that for us.
You have the assurance of getting a result that pleases the eyes. Aside from giving your grass a green look, it is also the fastest way for you to get thick grass, one that has a healthy and robust root system.
This fertilizer is perfect for an already mature grass that needs a boost to reach its full potential. The recommendation says that this fertilizer is applied every 4-6 weeks to best results and prevent burns.
This fertilizer is versatile because it can be used on all types of grass and can feed a landmass of about 7,200 sq. ft; this is a whole lot and is suitable for owners with large lawns. In applying this fertilizer, one must follow strict instructions due to its synthetic nature to avoid causing damage to your plants.
Key Features:
- It is a synthetic fertilizer
- Produces fast result of thick and green lawn grass
- It works for all grass types
Specification:
- Brand: Miracle-Gro
- Product Dimension: 15.19 x 10.63 x 10.75 inches
- Product Weight: 33.5 Pounds
- Nature: Synthetic
Pros
- It can help boost your grass
- It makes your grass look rich, thick, and green
- It is not expensive as its organic counterparts
- It is easy to apply
- It acts fast on your grass
- It can cover a landmass of 7,200 sq. ft
Cons
- Unfollowed instructions could cause your grass can burn
- It is not safe for your pets
- It is highly pollutant.
4
Pennington 100536576 UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer
Choosing a fertilizer based on the type of grass can be a headache; the Pennington lawn fertilizers take that headache away due to their ability to be suitable for all lawn types. It has a nutrient NPK ratio of 30-0-4, which depicts the significant presence of Nitrogen in the fertilizer, which boosts the ability to make your grass green.
The ultra in the name of this fertilizer brand shows its content and result; aside from the massive presence of Nitrogen, there is also the addition of Iron which brings about the ultra greenery it gives your plants.
The Pennington ultragreen lawn fertilizer works effortlessly to strengthen your grass against drought and heat that seems to affect the growth and health of your grass. Your grass is not just green, and it is also rich, complete, and thick. You also get to enjoy a fast action because it gets your grass green quickly while still slowly releasing the Nitrogen into the soil.
The packaging makes it resealable after use and covers a land of about 5,000 sq. ft. The fertilizer is applied within the period of June-August for an effective outcome and done preferably with a spreader for circulating ease.
Key Features:
- Provide strength against drought and heat
- It makes your grass green quickly
- Thick and rich grass
- Over 10% nitrogen slow release
- Contains Iron
Specification:
- Brand: Central Garden & Pet
- Product Dimension: 4 x 11 x 16.75 inches
- Product Weight: 14.25 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It gives your grass strength to survive during drought and much heat
- It gets your grass green quickly
- It is full of plant nutrient
- It releases Nitrogen slowly
- It contains Iron that boosts the ability to make your grass ultra-green
Cons
- It can affect your grass when not dissolved properly
5
Espoma EOLB30 Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer
Organic fertilizers seem highly trusted among lawn owners and their environmental and pet-friendly nature. The Espoma EOLB30 is another organic lawn fertilizer certified as being environmentally friendly and safe for your kids and pets.
The fertilizer comes from poultry manure that has feather meal. The nutrient ratio of NPK is 8-0-0 showing the presence of Nitrogen alone with the absence of Potassium and phosphate/phosphorus.
With an average customer review of 4.6 out of 5 stars, you have an assurance of getting a great outcome from applying the fertilizer to your lawn grass. Your grass gets greener and thicker after the application of the fertilizer without delay.
When you need a lawn fertilizer that works very well during summer, the Espoma EOLB30 organic fertilizer is the best choice.
Key Features:
- Environmental friendly
- Organic in nature
- Contains only Nitrogen
Specification:
- Brand: BFG Supply
- Product Dimension: 24 x 13.25 x 6 inches
- Product Weight: 30 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It makes your grass green and thick
- Contains organic substances
- It is environmentally friendly
- It is not harmful to your pets
Cons
- It works only during summer and may not be suitable for other seasons
- It does not contain Potassium and Phosphorus, which is necessary for the plants’ root system
- It also includes Corn Gluten Meal that some customers might find unpleasant
6
Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Lawn Food Fertilizer
Granular lawn fertilizers are very common, these days, we have the emergence of more liquid lawn fertilizers, and they work just as much. The Scotts Liquid Turf Builder is one liquid lawn fertilizer trusted by most lawn owners and feeds your grass effectively.
This fertilizer is suitable for all grass types and usable when the grass is actively growing. It has a unique 2 in 1 feature that feeds the grass and waters it simultaneously.
This top-rated liquid fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 29-0-3, which shows the absence of Phosphorus and greater nitrogen levels. The regular application of the Scotts Liquid fertilizer strengthens your grass and enables it to withstand drought, heat, weeds, and other human activities.
The fertilizer design makes it easy to use; all you have to do is first shake the bottle well, connect the sprayer to your hose, point the nozzle in the direction you intend to spray, and keep spreading till you have covered the area you want to fertilize.
Key Features:
- 2 In 1 feature of feeding and watering grass
- A liquid form of fertilizer
- It has a great presence of Nitrogen
Specification:
- Brand: The Scotts Company
- Product Dimension: 2.35 x 10.63 x 5 inches
- Product Weight: 3.04 Pounds
Pros
- Feeds your grass while still watering it at the same time
- Applied to any grass types and during all seasons
- It improves the greenery of your grass
- It strengthens your grass against future problems such as drought, heat, and so on
Cons
- Customers complain of the sprayer acting up
7
Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK - Lawn Food Quality Liquid Fertilizer
Eating a balanced diet is essential to living a healthy life; our lawn grasses are no different as a balanced NPK fertilizer is also a great advantage.
The Advanced fertilizer has a balanced nature due to the NPK ratio being 16-4-8; this reflects the presence of the three major nutrients the lawn needs for proper feeding. Aside from the balanced macronutrients, it also contains fish and seaweed, which makes it extra healthy.
All of the nutrients make your grass get the best nourishment to reach its full potential. The formula of the contents makes your grass very green and able to grow right, all while still being thick and lush. The advanced, balanced lawn food gives you an outcome that makes you look at your lawn with pride and joy.
The specialty of this liquid fertilizer is in its ability to be suitable for all grass types: Zoysia, Bermuda, Centipede, Ryegrass, Buffalo, Kentucky Bluegrass, and so on.
Key Features:
- Balanced NPK ratio of 16-4-8
- It contains fish and seaweed for optimum nutrient
- It is in a liquid form
- It works for all grass types
Specification:
- Brand: UAS of America, Simple Lawn Solutions
- Product Dimension: 5.5 x 3 9 inches
- Product Weight: 2.94 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It provides your grass with the necessary strength to withstand droughts and heat
- It makes your grass green, healthy, and rich
- It works for all grass types
- It contains a balanced formula of NPK
Cons
- It may not be suitable for pets
8
The Andersons Premium Lawn Food 28-0-12 Spring-Summer Fertilizer
We love a lawn fertilizer suitable for any season, and the Andersons’ premium lawn food is one with such a feature. With an NPK ratio of 28-0-12 and the presence of Iron, you get a result of your lawn looking all lush, green, and healthy. The green you get from this fertilizer is not light but deep green looking grass. ‘
It does not only make your grass green, but it also supplies your grass with the strength to resist summer heat and drought occasions. The slow-release feature of the Nitrogen does not slow down its effect on your grass because it reflects fast on your grass after application.
The nitrogen release also includes a quick and intermediate release when necessary for fast green-up. The presence of Potassium makes your grass hard and has more vigor.
Key Features:
- It can cover a landmass of 5,000 sq ft
- NPK ratio of 28-0-12
- It contains Iron
- Quick-Intermediate-Slow nitrogen release
Specification:
- Brand: The Andersons
- Product Dimension: 17.4 x 12.32 x 3.66 inches
- Product Weight: 18 Pounds
- Nature: Organic
Pros
- It prevents the yellowing of your grass due to the presence of Iron
- It contains an outstanding level of Nitrogen for green and rich grass
- It helps your grass to withstand intense weather conditions
Cons
- If not applied following instructions, it can kill your grass
Buyer’s Guide
Primary Nutrients
There are primarily three nutrients that have their unique importance to the lawns
[LIST-B] PHOSPHORUS
Phosphorus is a nutrient that helps your grass develop very healthy stems and roots. The stems and roots of your lawn grasses help give it stability, which shows just how necessary Phosphorus is to your lawn.)
POTASSIUM
When it comes to the ability of your lawn to resist diseases and drought occasions, your lawn grasses get that from the presence of Potassium. The availability of Potassium also makes it possible for your lawn grass to utilize Nitrogen when it is available.
NITROGEN
Lawn grasses are green, from various lectures through elementary and high school, we understand that chlorophyll production makes that greenery happen. Nitrogen is that particular nutrient that boosts the ability of your lawn to carry out photosynthesis which makes your grass green. What is lawn grass if it is not green.
Organic and Synthetic Fertilizers
Fertilizers can be organic or synthetic. Organic fertilizers are rich in organic plants, such as kelp, blood meal, and so on; they are eco-friendly and are known for giving a great outcome. Due to the organic nature of the fertilizer, it is released slowly into the lawn grass, and grasses can avoid over-fertilizing.
On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers are pretty popular these days and are known to be among the best in the market. They are not as expensive as their organic counterparts and act relatively quickly. The nutrients are available in an exact ratio, so one nutrient is not necessarily overriding another one.
Forms of Fertilizers
Fertilizers are also available in different forms; they can be granular or liquid. Granular lawn fertilizers can be applied during the dry season and do not require frequent application. The liquid fertilizers can be applied using a spray bottle or sprinkler and more frequently than the granular fertilizers. The lawn grass absorbs the liquid fertilizers quickly and acts on them relatively fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions on the hows and whens are carefully answered here to help further you choose lawn fertilizers. We have seen the products we can make selections from, and we also need to have more knowledge about other things that aid the application of fertilizers.
Which is better, liquid or granular lawn fertilizer?
One of the most significant arguments of lawn owners is using either granular or liquid fertilizers. Both forms of fertilizers serve the same functions and perform their unique purposes.
Granular fertilizers usually require a spreader for their applications and mostly have Nitrogen slow-release features. Due to this slow-release feature of granular fertilizers, nutrients from the fertilizers are absorbed slowly by the plants. Still, they have a longer-lasting effect on your plants than liquid fertilizers. Most granular fertilizers have a high percentage of salt, which causes your plant’s roots to be hot. One other significant benefit of granular fertilizers is that they are relatively cheaper than most liquid fertilizers. Different brands of granular fertilizers have distinct nutrient formulations. Some granular fertilizers, due to their content, have some smells that most users do not welcome.
Liquid fertilizers are hugely known; on the other hand, for their ease of use, most come in bottles that also have hose-ends that act as sprayers. Users can mix other liquid fertilizer forms in the tank for easier spreading. The primary good thing about liquid fertilizers is how the plants quickly absorb them and their effects. However, the quick actions of liquid fertilizers make it not to stay too long in your soil and would require frequent application. There are, however, other brands of liquid fertilizers that have the slow-release nitrogen feature. Unlike the granular fertilizers, they do not have a high level of salt content, and most liquid fertilizers brand all have identical formulations in their containers.
Both fertilizers are reasonable and work for different purposes to pick them based on our requirements.
When should I put fertilizer on my lawn?
Due to the adverse effects of wrong fertilizers applications, it is crucial to know the best time to apply them. The best time to add fertilizers is the times when the grasses are actively growing. And the stage of active growth is predominantly based on the type of grass and your growing zone. The first step is to identify the type of grass that can be a cool-season type of grass, warm-season, or grasses with a combination of both cool and warm.
The best times to fertilize cool-season grasses are during spring and fall; you fertilize them lightly and heavily during fall. The actively growing period of warm-season grasses is during summer and late spring; it is best to fertilize these grasses in spring when they are turning green.
With this knowledge of what type of grass you have, you can fertilize when it is best and bring you the best results.
What if it rains after I fertilize?
Most lawn owners get terrified and worry about it raining right after applying fertilizer to their plants. It would interest you to know that rain after you fertilize is not exactly a big problem; it is in most cases a good thing. Especially in cases when you use a granular fertilizer which most times take time to be absorbed by the plant, rain can help you break them down faster and allows them to have a stronghold in the soil. Water helps to activate your fertilizer, so is not something to cause worry. However, if you live in areas with heavy rains, using liquid fertilizers could be a better option as they absorb into the plants quickly. Thus, avoiding cases of having fertilizers washed away.
What is the best ratio for lawn fertilizer?
The best fertilizers contain macronutrients in specific proportions that helps to nourish your grass and keep it green and lush. The NPK ratio of lawn fertilizer is something one must be mindful of as it shows the effectiveness level of the fertilizer. Nitrogen is a macronutrient that is essentially the most of the three essential others: Phosphorus and Potassium. The best fertilizers ratio is the ones whose nitrogen level is significantly 3 or 4 times more than the phosphorus level. The percentage of the fertilizer to choose bases on the soil type and needs of the soil. A soil PH test is conductible to ascertain the nutrient deficiency of the lawn, which would aid the NPK ratio of the fertilizer to choose for your lawn grass.
Which fertilizer would green up a lawn the fastest?
Lawns look beautiful and are a pride when they are green, thick, and rich. Being green takes the lead as the foremost priority of fertilizing a lawn. The nitrogen content in fertilizers is a big reason for the greenery abilities of grass. When buying fertilizer to make your grass green, you should go for brands with a good nitrogen ratio. In addition to Nitrogen, some fertilizers add Iron as a component which boosts the greenery feature. Fertilizers with extremely low or zero Phosphorus are a great choice, and Phosphorus are needed majorly for roots that grasses do not need.
The Scotts brand of fertilizer is trusted among lawn owners and is designed specially for green and thick grasses. The all-in-one fertilizer has an NPK of 32-0-4, which reflects the richness in Nitrogen.
Should I fertilize or kill weeds first?
Weeds are highly unwanted plants that, in most cases, thrive on the nutrients for wanted plants. While we look to maintain a healthy-looking lawn grass, we could face the growth and intrusion of weeds. Lawn owners are focused on fertilizing their grass to improve its appearance and, at the same get rid of these weeds. It is advisable to kill the weeds first before applying fertilizers; it is possible using safe herbicides that would not affect your grass in any way. Once the intruder is out of the way, we can fertilize our beautiful grasses to give them the appearance we seek.
Conclusion
Going through the buying guide, we have carefully reviewed top lawn fertilizers that are sure to do a great job in keeping you healthy, thick, green, and lush. Finding the right pick with many brands in the market can be stressful and takes time, but time and energy get saved because this guide has excellently tested, reviewed, and rated lawn fertilizers.
Each brand has been carefully studied, with its benefits and shortcomings highlighted to give you a comprehensive look into them.
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