Do you want a lush green and healthy-looking lawn? It not only beautifies the place but also adds some serene vibes around. Developing such lush gardens surely has some essentials and needs some effort. The top of the list is ensuring adequate nutrient supply to the plants. And- this is done by using a good quality suitable fertilizer. When it comes to selecting a good product, there is a mind-boggling variety of fertilizers in the market. We have compiled a list of top products as the Best lawn fertilizer. Please keep reading to learn the pros and cons of each in detail.
How to Select the Best Lawn Fertilizer
Of course, you can not just pick any fertilizer and use it for your beloved lawn grass. Instead, you have to consider a few features while selecting a suitable product.
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The type of grass
Not all fertilizers are suitable for every grass. You need to check for suitability before buying. As a basic rule, the grasses of Western and Southern regions are known as ‘warm-season grass’. Types like Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, and Bahia need something around 3 to 4 pounds of product per 1000 sq. feet per annum.
On the other hand, grasses like Kentucky, bluegrass, Rye, and Tall Fescue need a lesser quantity. Around a pound or 2 is enough for 1000sq.feet per year.
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Age of Grass
The age of the grass must be considered before buying the fertilizer. For instance, the newly planted grass needs high phosphorus to enhance root development. Alternatively, fertilizers with high phosphorus content are not much preferable for older lawns.
Beside Nitrogen, Potassium is the other key nutrient. It controls the color, shape, and size of the plants. So, to enhance the look, health, and resistance of the grass, make sure the fertilizer provides good Potassium.
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Specific actions
Markets are providing different types of products to cater to specific needs. For example, there are specific products that work as fertilizers as well as weed killers. Similarly, people who specifically want t give a lush green look to the grass have different options.
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Season of Usage
People fertilize the grass in different seasons. So, you have to see if the product you are using an all-year fertilizer or restricted to a specific season only.
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Safety specifications
Domestic users need to be careful while selecting the product. The features like pet and kid safety and period of waiting after the application need to be considered.
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Type of fertilizers
The fertilizers are divided into organic, granular, and water-soluble/liquid fertilizers. Organic products come with the benefits of safety and minimum chemical toxicity. On the other hand, the time-release granular forms help you control the time and nutrient availability for the grass. And finally, water-soluble and quick-release fertilizers are preferred for easy usage and some quick results.
Best Time to Fertilize Lawn
This is another important question while fertilizing the lawn. Generally speaking, a day before the rain-forecast is the best day to fertilize. This will save your efforts of watering the lawn while the mother-nature does the job.
People generally inquire about the ideal season for fertilizing the grass. For an already established lawn, fall is an ideal season to fertilize. The cooler temperatures will enhance nutrient absorption and prepare the grass for upcoming cold days.
After fall, the second-best time to fertilize the lawn is the spring season! The wakening of plants and the pleasant atmosphere will be the best time to add the nutrients. You can also use a dual-action fertilizer plus weed controller to combat the expected weed growth.
10 Best Lawn Fertilizers
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed
The winner in the list comes from a famous fertilizer brand with several different products. Each of these products is made to serve a different kind of function. This one is a double-action product that works as the feed of the grass while controlling the weeds.
Common weeds like dandelions, clovers, and others are a common issue in lawns. This dual-action fertilizer and weed killer works with unique technology. It provides the necessary nutrients to the grassroots making it grow thick and healthy. Moreover, Weedgrip technology strongly attacks the grownup and underground weed seeds to give you a weed-free lawn.
Pros:
- Dual-action fertilizer, particularly strong for dandelions, clovers, and many others.
- Money-back guarantees from the supplier.
- Easy to spread and easy to use.
Cons:
- Doesn’t kill Crabgrass.
- Need strict usage methods, else it may burn the grass.
Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK – Lawn Food
The third product in our list of Best fertilizer for grass of all types is Quality liquid fertilizer. This is easy to use and simply stuffed with nutrients. It is made with a balanced formulation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Moreover, it also contains the nutrients of Seaweed and fish which result in thick, green, and lush lawns.
The product comes in easy to use and ready to use packing. So, you can simply use it without any hassle of mixing and making.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Easy to spread.
- Packed with nutrients including key macronutrients, fish, and seaweed.
- Useful for all kinds of grass.
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
If you are looking for the Best fertilizer for St. Augustine grass this is a good option among the granular ones. This fertilizer is a dual-action fertilizer plus iron supplement that promises greener grass in just 3 days. Each particle of the product comes with an even formulation without any filler. It is suitable for all types of grass. Moreover, you can use it almost all year round except in the winter.
Unlike other fertilizers, you don’t need to wait after the application. So, just feel free to have a walk even right after the application.
Pros:
- The green effect in just 3 days.
- 7 % iron along with other nutrients.
- Easy to use.
- Even formulation and no-fillers.
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food
Looking for some easy way to fertilize your lawn? This water-soluble fertilizer ensures an effortless solution for grass feed requirements. The good thing is that, unlike other fertilizers, it does not require you to do any extra effort. Just use it while watering and you are good to go.
The special high nitrogen and chelated iron formula make it an option as the Best fertilizer for grass. The brand offers many other products specially formulated for other plants like flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Specially formulated with suitable contents for the turf.
Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster
If you are looking for an organic range fertilizer for new grass, this one is a good option. Its high phosphorus levels in the 20-4-8 NPK levels make it support for the rooting. Besides NPK, the Fulvic and Humic function as building blocks for new grass.
The high, yet pet and kids friendly formulation make it ideal for domestic usage.
Pros:
- Ideal for new grass.
- Quick and visible results.
- User-friendly packing.
Cons:
- Not suitable for all types of grass.
- The sprayer bottle is not much durable.
Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
This is another Best lawn fertilizer in the organic range of all-season fertilizers. The no-potassium formulation with an N-P-K ratio of 5-2-0 makes it suitable for drought-less regions with moderate temperatures. Also, it comes with 4% iron which shows quick results in giving a green and lush look to the grass. Besides, you can also use it for flowering plants, shrubs, and vegetables.
This organic natural product is safe for pets and kids. So, you can use it for domestic lawns. Moreover, it is suitable enough for use throughout the year.
Pros:
- Iron in formulation gives a lush effect to the grass.
- Suitable for use in all seasons.
Cons:
- Need to be applied properly; else it may scorch out the lawn.
- Lesser effective in comparison to spray fertilizers.
Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed
This is another nice slow-release and dual-action product in our list of Best lawn Fertilizer. Apart from providing the essential nutrients, it acts as a weed killer of around 250 broadleaf weeds. However, it only treats Northern and Southern grasses and not the floral St. Augustine variety.
The 10.56% nitrogen enhances the growth and gives a lush green effect to the grass. Also, the slow-release formula ensures a steady and long-term availability of nutrients for up to 3 months.
Pros:
- Dual-action product for fertilizer and weed control.
- Kills almost 250 types of different broad-leaf weeds including dandelions.
- User-friendly and resealable packing.
Cons:
- Not suitable for the floral St.Augustine.
Espoma ELF20 Organic All Season Food: 63
Espoma adds another organic fertilizer with N-P-K formulation in the ratio 18-0-3. You can easily use it for the lawn any time throughout the year. Besides, it is pet and kids safe, so you can easily use it on domestic lawns.
Pros:
- Usable throughout the year.
- Organic formulation.
Cons:
- Strong chemical odour.
GreenView Lawn Food
Want a time-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer for an older lawn? We get you covered. Last but not least among the Best lawn fertilizer products is the GreenView Lawn Food. It is a nice choice for older lawns. The high nitrogen value in the N-P-K ratio 22-0-4 helps the grass to flourish and get bulk. The no-Phosphorus formulation makes it unsuitable for new grass.
People in harsh winters can prefer it to strengthen the roots and enhance the resilience of the grass. Moreover, it also increases water retention, making it suitable for droughty areas. The time-release nature ensures the continuous availability of nutrients long after the application.
Pros:
- Strengthens the roots.
- Best for using at the end of the season to prepare the grass for the upcoming winter.
Cons:
- Needs ample water for application; else it will burn out the grass.
- Lesser effective than spray products.
- Not for new grass growths.
Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard Lawn Food
Another product from this brand occupies a position in the list of Best lawn fertilizer. This particular product is to feed any type of grass. Moreover, it gives great results especially in the early and late months of fall. This helps the roots of the grass to absorb water resulting in stronger grass in the next season.
The nutrients in the fertilizer enhance the strength of the grass. In addition, they increase the resistance against drought, damage, and activity.
Pros:
- Easy to use and spread.
- Can be used in the fall.
Cons:
- Some users complain to get weed contamination after usage.
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Summary
A lush green lawn needs efforts, most important among them is using a suitable and graded fertilizer. Selecting a good product among a wide range of different types and brands of fertilizers is surely a tricky job. Based upon customer reviews, we have compiled a list of top ten products as the Best Lawn Fertilizer.
The top position is attained by the Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed. The runners-up is another one from the same brand, the Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard Lawn Food. These are followed by the Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK – Lawn Food on the third position. With high hopes to help you select the best, we wish you all a very Happy Gardening!