Lawn Mowers

Complete fertilizers are those that contain all three of the primary nutrients. Complete fertilizers require Nitrogen, phosphorus in the form of phosphoric acid, and potassium in the form of potash. These three elements are prominently displayed on every bag of fertilizer. The first number is nitrogen, the second is phosphorus, and the third is potassium. An example is 24-4–8.  Remember to always spread fertilizer evenly. Avoid heavy applications or concentrated applications. This is particularly important if you are using soluble fast-release fertilizers, which can quickly burn your lawn in substantial concentrations.

Complete fertilizers

These numbers state the percentages by weight of nutrients in the bag compared to the total contents of the bag.

A 3-1-2 ratio of nutrients has proven to be generally good for fertilizing home lawns. However, factors such as local climate, soil conditions, and the form of nitrogen in the fertilizer influence what is best in various locations. A fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio could, for example, have a formula of 21 – 7– 14. Although it is not critical for a fertilizer to have exactly this ratio, something close to it is recommended. A higher nitrogen ratio of six – one –two is common.

For proper application follow the directions on the label.

A high percentage of water-insoluble nitrogen means that fertilizer is less likely to burn the lawn after application. But fertilizers with more than 30% of insoluble nitrogen are basically slow release. Between 15% and 30% are medium acting. Any less than 15% are considered fast-acting fertilizers. As a result, gardeners prefer Slow-release fertilizers They avoid lawn burn after application. Use fast-release fertilizers to hasten green-up of lawns.

Water Insoluble Nitrogen

In order to determine the actual percentage, it is necessary to do a little arithmetic. For example, if you have a 25-3-7 formula fertilizer with 7.6% of water-insoluble nitrogen, multiply the 7.6 by 100 which equals 760. Divide the 760 by the total percentage of nitrogen shown on the bag. In this case, dividing 760 by. 25 equals 30.4%. Thus 30.4% of the nitrogen is in fact insoluble.

This example would mean that you’re fertilizer is at the high end of medium acting fertilizer. Heavy concentrations might cause some burning of your lawn. Always use a spreader to apply fertilizer to your lawn. Spread lightly and use several applications that crisscross your lawn. Instructions on the fertilizer bag will help to ensure that consumers avoid any chance of burning their lawns.

Slow-release fertilizer combines the characteristics of the organics and the soluble synthetics your lawn needs. Usually, this type of fertilizer has a high percentage of nitrogen. Spreading large quantities of fertilizer is not necessary for healthy lawn growth. Slow-release fertilizer delivers nitrogen slowly to the lawn. As a result nitrogen does not become available to the plant all at once. Fast release nitrogen can burn a lawn if spread too thickly. Most importantly sometimes a heavy dose of fertilizer can even kill the lawn. This is one of the reasons that many gardeners use a slow-release fertilizer. They avoid any chance of damage to the lawn.

They also use spreaders that deliver fertilizer evenly and over a wide area. As a result, this avoids concentrations of too much fertilizer in one area.

Slow Release Fertilizer

Several types of fertilizers are available. WIN which means water-insoluble nitrogen. Many commonly available lawn fertilizers are actually a combination of soluble nitrogen and WIN. Whether you water the lawn immediately or wait until it rains, there is no danger of lawn burn. The fertilizer is insoluble and will not release quickly.

Many lawn growers prefer slow-release fertilizers. They make heavier applications of nitrogen possible. Hence making fewer applications necessary. However, they do not provide a quick green-up of the lawn. Your control of greening response is slightly more than with organics.

Use a fast release fertilizer to green up your lawn quickly. However, extreme care needs to be taken to avoid lawn burn. The fertilizer should be spread less heavily and carefully.