What is Turf Fertilizer?
Proper Application of Fertilizer Provides and Promotes:
Weed Reduction and Prevention
Nutrients to Grow Thick and Strong Grass with Deep Root Beds
Disease Protection
Even Distribution of Nutrients to Promote Uniform Growth Over the Entire Lawn
Elimination/Reduction of Soil Runoff Which in Turn Promotes Health For Future Growth
Resistance to Pests
Similar to how many people take vitamins to supplement nutrients that they may be lacking, fertilizer offers your lawn mineral nutrients that it may have deficient in. Fertilizer can help your lawn stay healthy, encourage leaf and root growth, reduce troublesome weeds, aid in recovering lost nutrients and help the lawn recover from various activities.
Fertilizing provides macronutrients and micronutrients that are needed for the turf’s ideal growing conditions and appearance. The macronutrients generally included in fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (often noted as NPK on packaging). Other macronutrients may include: calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The micronutrients, needed in smaller amounts, can include a range of elements including boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.
Fertilizers can be categorized as quick release and slow release. In quick release fertilizers, the nutrients are dissolved with water and the nutrients are immediately available to the plants. These fertilizers generally last two to four weeks and promote quick growth and greening of grass. Slow or timed release fertilizer work over a period of six to eight weeks, promoting uniform growth.
A soil test will indicate what nutrients your lawn is lacking or over producing and what fertilizer is needed.