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Get a luscious lawn without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
Organic lawn fertilizer puts the care in lawn care.
Synthetic lawn fertilizer, on the other hand, is more like fast food for grass.
It directly feeds the grassnot the life around itwith big portions to get quick results.
Credit: Home Depot
Both types of fertilizer encourage soft, spriggy, green-all-over turf.
But organic lawn fertilizer also promotes a healthier ecosystem.
To successfully use organic lawn fertilizer, gardeners should know when to apply it.
Credit: Amazon
Fertilize cool-season grass in cool weather and fertilize hot-season grass in hot weather.
If you live in southern states, you likely have hot-season grass that should be fertilized during summer.
The difference between them is where those nutrients came from and how rapidly they work.
Credit: Amazon
Synthetic fertilizers are made in factories and are generally quick release, Kowalewski says.
Waterway pollution is another potential downside of synthetic fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers get their nutrients from natural sources, like manure or fish parts.
Theyre often made with recycled materials, not factory-made ones, and theyre generally slow release.
Organic fertilizers require microbial breakdown to become plant-available, Kowalewski says.
Because nutrient release is gradual, it can take longer to see results.
The letters stand for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the essential nutrients plants need to grow.
The corresponding numbers indicate the weight of each nutrient in the product.
Each component ofN-P-Kbenefits a specific part of a plant.
Potassium helps the whole plant tolerate stress and stand up to weather extremes.
They are going to evaluate the pH and the primary and secondary nutrient contents, Kowalewski says.
After you get all the data back, it’s possible for you to tailor a fertility program.
You could use organic fertilizer,apply lime, or purchase micronutrient packages.
Yard Size
Most organic lawn fertilizers state the recommended yard size on the packaging.
If you have a larger yard, youll of course need more fertilizer.
We likeNeptunes Harvest Turf Formulafor smaller spots.
Some states restrict the program of phosphorus-containing fertilizer on non-agricultural lawn or turf.
Check your local laws prior to purchase.
Heat-dried microbes that have digested the organic matter in wastewater.
By using Milorganite, youre directly disposing of the waste that humans like us have created.
But, as the website emphatically states, Milorginate isnota bag of poop.
A lot of people freak out, Kowalewski says.
But the product goes through a bunch of digestion processes and drying processes.
Anything that would make you sick is long removed.
Because it contains virtually no salts, it wont burn your lawn.
Releasing nutrients at a rate that your grass needs also means less work and worry for you.
The manufacturer recommends applying Milorganite four times per year on a day thats not too windy.
Earth High-Nitrogen All-Purpose Fertilizeris a great alternative.
|Yard Size:Up to 2,500 sq.
It contains zero phosphorus, meaning there is zero potential for waterway pollution.
Like mostliquid lawn fertilizers, this formula needs to be appliedmore often than a granular fertilizer.
Be ready to apply it once a month withyour go-to watering canor sprayer.
Avoid overapplication, as too much nitrogen and salt can cause grass fertilizer burn.
Grass is hungry for nitrogen.
It wants it more than anything else, Kowalewski says.
Nitrogen is what helps grass produce chlorophyll and process sunlight into energy.
2When used as directed, the high concentration of nitrogen inPurely Organic Products Lawn Foodhelps boost steady green growth.
The manufacturer recommends applying this granular fertilizer on a calm day when no heavy rain is expected.
Set yourlawn spreaderto deliver fertilizer at a rate of 4 to 9 pounds.
per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
|Yard Size:3,000 to 8,000 sq.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best N-P-K ratio for lawn fertilizer?
The best N-P-K ratiodepends on the nutrient makeup of your lawn.
This will be outlined inyour soil test results.
Just be aware that too much nitrogen in your soil can cause grass fertilizer burn.
One nutrient you want to keep low is phosphorus.
Phosphorus overuse has negative environmental consequences, including polluting local and community waterways.
In some locations, its illegal to apply a phosphorus-containing fertilizer on non-agricultural lawn or turf.
When should I fertilize my lawn?
This might be the most important question a gardener can ask about lawn care.
The main factor has to do with where you live in the country.
Northern states typically have cool season grass, which is grass that prefers cooler spring and fall conditions.
Thats when to fertilize it.
Dont fertilize in summer, Kowalewski says.
Wait for the fall, then do two applications and do two more applications in the spring.
Southern states typically have hot-season grass.
Are all organic lawn fertilizers safe for pets and kids?
Many organic lawn fertilizers dont have re-entry restrictions.
That said, always check the product label for re-entry recommendations.
If organic fertilizer is consumed off of your lawn, manufacturers report that its not life-threatening.
Its a pretty natural thing, Kowalewski says.
Puhala has also written about seed starting soil, tomato cages, weed killers, and gifts for gardeners.
She also spoke withAlec Kowalewski, a landscape specialist at Oregon State University.
https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/fertilizer-and-climate-change
https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/information-sheets/IS894_web.pdf
