Are You Using the Right Fertilizer for Your Grass?

You know your lawn needs fertilizer, but how do you know which kind is best? The garden aisle at your local store likely has several options to choose from, with each bag promising to make your grass greener and thicker than ever before. However, not all lawns are the same, and not all fertilizer is created equal. At Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping, we are happy to guide you on which fertilizer would benefit your grass most. If you prefer, we’ll take care of the entire task for you!

Understanding the N-P-K Ratio When Buying Fertilizer

First and foremost, you’ll need to understand the N-P-K ratio when it comes to fertilizer. This refers to the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which are three key ingredients for your lawn but they come in different ratios depending on the type of fertilizer you buy. Here is a brief explanation of what these elements do in your lawn:

• Nitrogen – plays a key role in foliage growth. It helps your grass remain thick and green.
• Phosphorous – stimulates root growth and fosters the blooming of fruit and flowers.
• Potassium – helps plants resist disease and makes them more durable against harsh weather.

Why Does It Matter?

Why do the ratio of these ingredients matter? If you have an established lawn, it needs more nitrogen for foliage growth (top growth), but phosphorous and potassium are less important, as it does not need fast root growth like a new lawn. In fact, if you’ve just laid new sod, too much nitrogen can do more harm than good. The roots of the new sod have been shaved off and they need to recover. A zero nitrogen blend is best in this scenario. Finally, if your lawn is stressed, or under extreme conditions, the fertilizer may need have a N-P-K ratio that is big-small-big (or less phosphorus).

Your grass can’t talk. It is not always easy to know which nutrients it is craving most at a particular time of year. That’s why we are here to help at Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping – it’s what we do best. Call today to book your lawn care consult in Cumming.