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FERTILIZERS - What you Need to Feed Your Lawn
from:We were a bit tentative when embarking on this project, but we soon realized our interest on lawn should be shared. It was our knowledge and sharing nature that helped provide the grit and determination we needed to produce some fine reading material on the subject of lawn. Also, Spring is right around the corner, and that always makes me feel good.
Humans need certain necessities just to survive in this wonderful but harsh and sometimes unforgiving plant. The three most import elements are FOOD, WATER and SHELTER - just to survive. Proper lawn care also depends on food, water and shelter. And yes, your lawn will probably survive. The trick is to help your lawn THRIVE rather than just survive. If I gave you just the minimum amount you need to survive, would it suffice. I think not. You want to grow; you want to prosper; you want to THRIVE. You want more than the minimum amount - correct?
Your grass needs certain elements (the food) to live, sixteen elements to be exact. Most of these elements are already found naturally in our environment, but several others need to be added to your lawn if there is any deficiencies. Adding fertilizers that have certain elements in them in various concentrations such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, does the job.
Now, before you go off running to the store to purchase a complete fertilizer, or, fertilizer that contains all three, it is important to understand why the livelihook of your lawn depends on it.
- NITROGEN - This is possibly the most important element that your lawn needs. Nitrogen makes your grass grow and gives it it's green color. Nitrogen will also allow for more density, thicker shoots, and more sturdy growth. This creates an environment that will naturally fight off pests and bugs.
- POTASSIUM - Since tossING bananas in your yard is not too practical, your best bet for this mineral is to buy it as fertilizer! Potassium enhances your lawn’s ability to resist disease, drought, wear and adverse weather.
- PHOSPHORUS - This is used to encourage strong grass root growth.
Most fertilizers found in your local home and garden stores will contain all three of these elements and in different concentrations, so there are many choices to choose from. These concentrated amounts of these three main fertilizers is reflected in a three-digit number. An example is - 30-10-10, which tells the percentage of each in this order: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
These blends will serve different purposes. For instance, the more potassium in the blend, the better prepared your lawn will be for the cold winter months. Other factors that you need to consider are the grass type, the climate you live in, the time of season, and the soil type. Once you've determined the answers to these questions, you will be better prepared to determine the right combination of these elements. An additional way to scan your needs is to determine the current levels of these nutrients in your soil through a simple pH test.
In addition to variations of percentages of the key elements, there are also different types of fertilizers to consider. There are four major options that will greet you in the fertilizer aisle: Granular (slow and fast-release), Liquid, Synthetic and Organic fertilizers.
- GRANULAR FERTILIZERS - are perhaps the most popular; probably due to their ease of use and longer duration. Since these are a dry fertilizer, they are much more convenient to spread. Granular fertilizers can come in a slow time-release formula, which provides fertilization over two to six months.
This is an efficient choice for homeowners, as it will not need another application for months to come. Granular fertilizers are also available as fast-release, and although applied in the same manner, the nutrients are released quicker and work better in cold weather. This method also costs less. However, grass burn can occur and there will be a greater need for watering.
- LIQUID FERTILIZERS - are just as the name says - in liquid form. These are applied by attaching a hose and nozzle to a spray bottle. The contents of the bottle are usually in concentrated form, thus the need to mix and dilute with water. If you can use a hose, this is an easy and effective method to apply; more so than spreading granular fertilizer around the yard.
Also, since this a liquid, nutrients are available virtually immediately to the roots of your labor. Herbicides can also be added or applied during this treatment. But, since the results are immediate, applications will have to be repeated more often than granular. Liquid fertilizer also tends to be more costly.
- SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS - are usually manufactured chemically, hence being called synthetic. These engineered fertilizers offer immediate release of the required nutrients, and make your lawn green. Synthetic fertilizers simply penetrate the soil quicker. However, synthetic fertilizers are not natural, and many argue that lawns should be treated naturally. Applications of synthetic fertilizer needs to be redone more often, as results don’t seem to last as long. They can also burn your lawn if not applied in a proper manner.
- ORGANIC FERTILIZERS - are made from once living organic matter and their bi-products. Organic fertilizer is applied to the lawn by specially made spreaders, rakes or even by hand. Since this a totally natural fertilizer, the organic matter tends to break down slowly when releasing its nitrogen. Using organic fertilizer helps to improve the texture and density of your lawn, especially when added to soil or lakebed sand. There are some drawbacks, however, including the foul smell such as in the case of manures. Also, these soils tend to have more nitrogen in them than other elements.
In summary then......When choosing a fertilizer, you need to consider many things. The current nutrition of your lawn, how much money you want to spend on fertilizers, how much labor you want to invest in its application - initial and repeat applications, as well as your own personal preference. However, with the spurt we've experienced in technology, choices keep growing as more combinations are being introduced.
There is no need to stress yourself on the point that we have to put a great deal of effort in maintaining your lawn. By reading this and other articles on the subject of lawn care, you will build your own information warehouse so that lawn care is almost effortless.
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