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Fertilizers - Feeding Your Lawn
Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus, the Big Three...Just as humans need food, water and shelter to survive, lawns depend on certain elements to live, eighteen elements to be exact. Most of these "ingredients" are already found naturally in the environment, in most soils, but several others need to be added to your lawn. What is usually missing (or in short supply) are the three elements of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Lack of these nutrients are the common reason why we add fertilizer to our lawns.Before you rush down to the store to purchase a complete fertilizer - a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - let's look at why your grass's health depends on these elements. Nitrogen - This is possibly the most important component your lawn needs. Nitrogen is essential for your grass to grow. It gives plants its green color, necessary for photosynthesis. Nitrogen also fosters more density, thicker shoots, and sturdy growth. A healhty lawn creates an environment that will naturally fight off pests and bugs.
Potassium - People eat bananas for its taste, but also for the potassium it contains. You are not likely to throw bananas on your yard (do compost the banana skins!), so the best way for adding this mineral is to use a fertilizer! Potassium enhances your lawn's ability to resist disease, drought, wear (being walked and played on) and cold weather. Potassium is important in the synthesis of some plant components and in the regulation of many physiological processes including the more efficient use of nitrogen by the plant. Phosphorus - This is used to encourage strong grass root growth and promoting early plant vigor. Most fertilizers on the shelves of your local home and garden stores will contain all three of these elements. However, diferent fertilizers will contain different amounts of each. The various combinations are reflected in a three-digit number, such as 30-10-10, which tells the percentage of each component in this order: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These blends serve different purposes. For example, more potassium in blends are good for winterizing your lawn. Other factors to consider are grass type, climate, time of year and soil type. Once you know what your needs are, you will be able to determine the right combination of these elements. It is a good idea to check your soil and determine the current levels of these nutrients present. This can be done through a simple pH test. In addition to variation in percentages of the key elements, there are physical differences in the types of fertilizers to consider. There are four major options that you will find in the fertilizer aisle: Granular (slow and fast-release), Liquid, Synthetic and Organic. Granular fertilizers are perhaps the most popular, probably due to their ease in use and duration. Because these are dry, they are much easier 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 is also available in fast-release, and although applied in the same manner, the nutrients are released quickly and work better in cold weather. This method also costs less. However, grass burn can occur so be ready to water if you use this type. Liquid fertilizers are just as the name implies - in liquid form. Such fertilizers are applied by attaching a hose and nozzle to a spray bottle. The contents of the bottle are usually in concentrated form, and are made to mix with the water. If you can use a hose, this is an easy method. And since this a is liquid, nutrients are available immediately to the roots of your vegetation. 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 the granular kind. Liquid fertilizer is more expensive as well.
Synthetic fertilizers are chemically manufactured. These engineered fertilizers offer immediate release of nutrients, and make lawns green. They simply penetrate the soil quicker. However, they are not natural, and side effects to the local environment are possible. Applications of synthetic fertilizer needs to be redone often, as results don't last long. They can also burn your lawn, if not applied in properly. They may seem cheap, but in the long run are not as useful. Finally, organic fertilizers are made from once living organisms and their by-products. These are applied to the lawn by spreaders, rakes and even by hand. Since this a totally natural fertilizer, the organics tend to break down slow when releasing nitrogen. They will improve the texture and density of your lawn, especially when added to soil or lakebed sand. There are some drawbacks however, including a foul smell in the case of manures. Also, these soils tend to have more nitrogen than other elements. In summary, when choosing a fertilizer, you need to consider many things: The current nutrition of your lawn, how much money you want to spend, how much labor you want to invest in application - initial and repeats, as well as personal preference. But with the spurt in technology, choices keep growing as more combinations are being introduced.
About the Author: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, Harvest The Sun | Renewable Energy, Bonsai for Beginners, Spiritual Journeys | Path To God, and Outer Space Shop | To The Stars.
News about Lawns and Fertilizer
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