Top 10 Best Lawn Fertilizer Reviews of 2023
As you all know, your garden requires the best lawn fertilizer for growing lush and healthy grass. The fertilizer acts as a significant food supplement for the grass even when the soil is pretty good in which region you live. The main purpose behind using fertilizer is to offer important nutrients and boost the root system of the plants. It even acts as an effective pest control over the year.
The most important point that you have to consider is to offer an accurate ratio of chief nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and also oxygen. Meanwhile, you also have to take care of the secondary micronutrients like manganese, boron, molybdenum, copper, cobalt, calcium, iron, zinc, nickel, and chlorine. This will assist you in creating a lawn that will stay and become green and lush for a relatively long period of time.
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How does lawn fertilizer work?
A lawn requires specific amounts of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients for sustaining a healthy life. Basically, fertilizers act as multivitamins for your soil. They serve as food supplements for your plants. Along with providing nutrients to the soil, they enhance the root system and even the pest control, as we have stated above.
On using the right fertilizers, lawns survive all throughout, grow greener, and keep on growing in adverse climate or winters. This is because fertilizers provide all the necessary nutrients that they need. The common combination of lawn fertilizers is a nice ratio of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. These ingredients enable the soil to work for growing plants.
Other micronutrients that you will find in fertilizers are calcium, iron, molybdenum, nickel, zinc, boron, iron, copper, manganese. However, the absence of these nutrients does not affect the soil but definitely, their presence makes sure that the lawn has a well-balanced nutritious diet.
Before you buy a lawn fertilizer, you need to understand some points. Every fertilizer features a number combination. This kind of number combination is called an NPK ratio. Basically, fertilizers come in a blend of three primary nutrients, which are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. The common NPK ratio is 20-5-10, which signifies the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, respectively.
Generally, each fertilizer is a blend of three main nutrients, which include:
- Nitrogen – to enhance the color and growth of the foliar
- Phosphate – to boost the growth of roots and flowers
- Potassium – to increase the grass’ ability for absorbing nitrogen
So, do not be confused and buy different products available on the market. This will only result in a sheer wastage of money and time. Before you set out to buy a lawn fertilizer, you require having technical details in your mind.
Different Kinds of Fertilizers
In the market, there are numerous fertilizers available for your lawn, which are suitable for diverse soil pH, weather, and preference for synthetic or organic formula. So, let’s discuss the different kinds of fertilizers!
1. Time Release Fertilizers
The time-release fertilizers help you to feed your lawn over a specific period, where you need to apply them once. They keep supplying all the necessary nutrients to the soil. Hence, these fertilizers help in producing healthy, green grass over a period.
2. Gradual Release Fertilizers
Gradual Release Fertilizers are also called slow-release formula. These fertilizers enable plant roots to take nutrients whenever they need them. This fertilizer even stops vital elements to drain away into the soil. It is simple to use and has little to no chances of burning the grass.
3. Granular Fertilizers
It is a kind of dry fertilizer, which comes in the shape of tiny granules. Whether you choose a slow-release or time-release formula, granular fertilizers are popular due to the ease of spreading them in the garden.
4. Liquid Fertilizers
As its name suggests, liquid fertilizers are water-soluble solutions. For using these fertilizers, you need a nozzle and hose. Plus, they require little care when using them. The best part is that soil absorbs this fertilizer easily and make sure the solution reached the garden bottom when covering the roots.
5. Organic Fertilizers
This fertilizer is made from natural ingredients by once-living organisms or their by-products left behind. It takes some time for showing results but makes sure no harm of any kind to existing soil or grass.
6. Synthetic Fertilizers
Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured with chemicals. Meanwhile, these products ensure faster results and lush greenery all around. They help effectively in controlling and improving the soil quality.
7. Starter Fertilizers
Winterizers and starter fertilizers are great for new yards. Due to the heavy dose of phosphorus, these fertilizers encourage the healthy growth of roots. Winterizers provide sufficient nutrients for preserving roots and ensuring that the soil receives food during winters. They enrich the soil with essential nutrients and enable it to engross slowing in winters from the soil.
8. Weed and Feed Fertilizers
Feed and weed fertilizers are a combination of feed and weed. They comprise weed killers, which kill broadleaf weed as well as nourish the lawn grass. These fertilizers are helpful in eliminated weed plants such as dandelions and crabgrass.
To own a healthy lawn, do not just look beautiful but also helps to maintain the eco-system balance. This is so as it produces soil erosion and oxygen. If you use fertilizers on a regular basis, they produce green grass, develop a sturdy root system, strengthen turf, and control pests. Thus, choosing a nice lawn fertilizer is a tough task. Although you can go for any brand told by any family friend or neighbor, it is best to know more about the product.
To help you out, we have come up with top lawn fertilizers, which come with good ratings and great sales online. So, let’s look at the best lawn fertilizer review that will help you in choosing the right one for yourself.
Top 10 Best Lawn Fertilizers
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1. Scotts Turf Builder 38605D WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food - Editor's Choice |  | ||
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*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
1. Scotts Turf Builder 38605D WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food - Editor's Choice
Via Amazon.com
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food is a fertilizer that you can use with all kinds of grass. This fertilizer is specifically designed for fall applications to assist in growing deep roots and repairing from foot traffic, summer heat, and drought. It features a slow-release granular application. This application assists feed the lawn during winters as the roots endure to grow even during dormancy. The repairing takes place during these months for helping the grass to grow back thicker and stronger in spring.
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food is pretty safe for children and pets. Thus, you do not need to avoid use following its application. You have to use this lawn fertilizer in combination with other seasonal feeds for helping to keep the lawn greener and healthier all-round the year.
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Via Amazon.com
Milorganite fertilizer is an organic fertilizer, which is manufactured with hear-dried microbes. One can use this fertilizer on trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Also, it can be applied on lawns if you own other plants in the garden that require looking after. This organic fertilizer is safe to use around children and pets, thus making it the most versatile product.
One can apply this fertilizer at any time, which makes it suitable to employ in all seasons. Thus, your fruits and vegetable look best all round the year. The fertilizer is also packed with four percent of non-staining iron for producing deep green color to the plants and grass.
The best thing about this fertilizer is that it meets all the quality standards of the EPA. It stands among the most rigorous criteria in the industry of fertilizes. The fertilizer comes in the packaging of 32 pounds in a plastic bag.
The only drawback of the Milorganite fertilizer is that it feels pretty smelly on first opening the bag. After you water the lawn, the smell goes away gradually. Due to the granular form, this fertilizer is simple to spread. It even works as a bug repellent for plants and flowers. So, this fertilizer is formulated especially for enjoying lush green gardens. On regular use, you may get a green lawn for a longer period of time.
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Via Amazon.com
This fertilizer from Diatomaceous Earth is a perfect lawn fertilizer. It meets all the requirements for the lawn fertilizer. The amazing part is that this fertilizer is 100% organic. It is a multi-purpose lawn fertilizer, which comes in the form of a powder. One can use this fertilizer for a massive variety of applications from pesticide to manure.
Diatomaceous Earth is also known as DE or diatomite. It is a naturally occurring material mined from several lakebed deposits. This material is made from fossilized diatoms, which live in freshwater lakes and oceans. It is used in various industrial uses like polishing agents and filters. One can even use this natural material in your lawn.
Diatomite is a non-toxic method for controlling pests in the yard. One can even use this substance as a mode for growing plants in combination with another substance. When it comes to nutrition value, this product does not offer much. Meanwhile, the fertilizer has the ability to hold fertilizers and release them to the roots. It even works as a growing medium for Bonsai culture and hydroponic containers. Also, one can mix this fertilizer with potting soil for increasing air circulation and drainage around the roots.
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Via Amazon.com
Most organic fertilizers employ plant-based nutrients and materials. However, this fertilizer from Espoma is diffused with animal-based products such as poultry manure. That’s the reason that when you will open this organic fertilizer bag, you will definitely notice a discernible odor. Meanwhile, this fertilizer enriches the soil effectively and provide the lawn all powerful, effective nutrients. On applying the Espoma EOFW30 Organic Fall Fertilizer, the soil becomes a lot greener, taller, and stronger.
The product comes in a 30-pound bag, which is pretty heavy. It even becomes difficult to carry it around or for storage. However, the price of this fertilizer is affordable and fair, where providing you a lot fertilizer each bag. Also, one bag of the Espoma fertilizer covers over 5,000 sq. ft area. The dry mix solution provides 2.5 times more slow release Nitrogen as compared to leading alternatives, making sure that the lawn remains nourished and healthy for several months. Here, you would not require to apply fertilizer again and again.
Espoma EOFW30 Organic Fall Fertilizer is completely safe for pets and kids. It is even great for people who keep worrying about the risks and dangers of toxic fertilizers. This is because Espoma fertilizer has nothing but all the natural products, which is not going to harm ecosystems in any way.
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Via Amazon.com
Simple Lawn Solutions Fertilizer comes in a great ratio of Potash and Nitrogen, which is 15-0-15. This fertilizer is a premium food supplement for lawns, which even boosts greenery all around. Plus, this product is absolutely free from phosphorus. This helps in improving the soil resistance towards cold and heat.
Also, the fertilizer does not contain any chemicals, which makes it an all-natural fertilizer. Therefore, it is very safe for use and even perfect for sandy soil. The food-grade organic ingredients help in promoting the strength, hardiness, and health of turfs. It is a great liquid fertilizer, which is manufactured with bioactive organics, Fulvic/Hulic acids, sulfur, potash, and feed-grade urea. When you use this fertilizer, it is necessary to water on a regular basis for making sure that the nutrients absorb rapidly. Overall, the fertilizer helps in improving the growth of grass and provides effective results on all grass kinds. Meanwhile, this product is pest-resistant.
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Via Amazon.com
This is another fertilizer from Scotts Turf Builder, which is great for gardens that are suffering from recurring problems related to weeds. It is an amazing fertilizer that protects your lawn from 50 diverse kinds of weeds. These weed varieties include chickweeds, clovers, and dandelions. The Winterguard Fall lawn food is designed especially for winter seasons. This means that you get a chance to maintain your lawn look great even in colder months.
The fertilizer is an incredible source of nutrients. It assists you in building the strong, deep roots effectively. As the Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food works in winters, it prepares your lawn for the upcoming spring. With this package, you can cover up to 5000 sq. ft. of lawn.
Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard Fall Lawn Food makes sure that your grass grows thicker and greener. Additionally, your lawn will be free from any unwanted plant or weed. Thus, this fertilizer helps you in getting the perfect lawn that you have always dreamed of. When you use this Scotts Turf Builder, you do not have to work hard. So, you get enough time to enjoy your garden.
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Via Amazon.com
Many people prefer organic lawn fertilizers, whereas they require to employ a nice synthetic fertilizer. If that’s the case with you, you have to select an incredible fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food.
This water-soluble lawn food comes in a container having a size of 5 pounds, which makes 2.3 kg. The quantity is sufficient to cover approx. 4000 sq. ft of any lawn. Once you have applied this lawn fertilizer, the roots of the grass will absorb this fertilizer quickly. Within some days, gardeners can expect incredible results from this fertilizer. Hence, this fertilizer will surely endorsethe growth of roots, stems, and leaves of the grass in long time.
Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food is designed to offer a specific variety of valuable nutrients for the lawn. It offers best results when you use this fertilizer once every month or in six weeks. Thus, it is a perfect choice for people who own a yard featuring mature grass that requires just a bit of encouragement for starting to grow lush and healthy.
While using this water-soluble fertilizer, you need to keep in mind that just like other synthetic fertilizers, it can burn the grass on over-application. Therefore, you have to follow the instructions carefully for reducing the risk of destroying your lawn.
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Via Amazon.com
Azomite Micronized Bag is the best lawn fertilizer for your lawn. Azomite refers to a highly mineralized silica ore. This ingredient is employed as naturally rich soil re-mineralizer for the plants and feed substance for animals. The Azomite fertilizer contains over 70 trace minerals that hold various rare earth elements. Every plant that consumes Azomite bears large vegetables and fruits. Plus, the products that develop using this mineral are way better in taste having improved resistance to any disease.
Internationally, this product is used as a feed additive. The fertilizer features a super-fine powder, which works excellent when you have to coat seeds for initial growth and maximum generation. This fertilizer contains potash, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Meanwhile, Azomiteis a water-soluble fertilizer. People who are thinking of using Azomite fertilizer as a foliar spray have to make sure that there’s adequate agitation in the spray tank.
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Via Amazon.com
If you like to feed your lawn, then this American Hydro Systems fertilizer will prove beneficial to you. This fertilizer will help you to make the yard thicker and greener. One can apply the fertilizer with the help of injections or siphoning systems that automatically feed your lawn. The best thing is that this fertilizer does not burn well-established lawns. The primary nutrients’ small feeding every time brings out a nice landscape throughout the whole sprinkling season.
A gallon of the American Hydro Systems fertilizer feeds around 4000 sq. ft. of the lawn for around a month. The liquid form works for both cold and warm-season grass. It is designed specially to remain environment-friendly as compared to competing products available out there. Thus, this fertilizer helps to maintain a thicker and greener lawn. It works best when you water your lawn. Also, this product is really simple to use, which can be used in green feeders. It comprises the 19-0-0 formulation of the chief nutrients. The GrassSoGreen fertilizer helps you to get back the nutrients that get lost while mowing.
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Via Amazon.com
Each fertilizer contains a diverse percentage of macronutrients, which are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. This fertilizer from Scotts Turf Builder possesses them in the 28-0-3 ratio. This 28 percent of Nitrogen assists in cultivating the leaf growth of the plants and the 3 percent of Potassium assists in developing the overall plant function.
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed fertilizer do not contain Phosphorus due to the new regulations, which state that phosphorus equates with water population. Thus, this fertilizer does not harm the environment by not opting for harmful toxins. The fertilizers that feature Phosphorus lessen the oxygen level and lead to the growth of algae in water, which results in killing fishes.
This Scott Turf Builder fertilizer covers a land of about 5000 sq. ft. The powerful feed and weed solution is perfect for all lands, which is better than dandelion and clover. It works on the robust weed grip technology. The fertilizer helps to build thick green turfs from the roots upwards. It even has the capability for crowding out weeds when feeding a thicker lawn. When you use this fertilizer, your lawn will absorb all nutrients and water due to its smart water technology.
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Buying Guide for the Best Lawn Fertilizer
Before you decide which lawn fertilizer will suit the best for the grass in your lawn, you have to know about the number system present on the package. The blend of those digits signifies the NPK ratio of each fertilizer. The required NPK marks such as 20-5-10. These digits signify the percentage of the three nutrients on the package, respectively. Also, there are some tips that will help you in choosing the best lawn fertilizer for your lawn.
Just figure out what features are the most crucial to you:
Grass Type
There are lots of grass varieties available like red or tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, zoysia, Bermuda, etc. All of these grasses require proper nutrients offered by lawn fertilizers. However, some grass needs less lawn maintenance and watering as compared to others.
Problems Related to Lawn
The main step in selecting the best lawn fertilizer is to watch out the challenges that your lawn is facing. There can be just one issue or many such grub culmination, fungus disease, dry patches, crabgrass invasion, striped lawn, moss, and others.
Fertilizer Specialty
Now, fertilizers arrive in different combinations that are designed for dealing with specific problems like weed issues, pest control, grass growth, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the type and fertilizer functionality before buying one.
Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizer
Organic Fertilizer: The kind of fertilizer comprises organic plant food like kelp, alfalfa, or blood meal. As the process takes quite longer to begin functioning, organic fertilizers release slowly. The best thing about these fertilizers is that they offer better effects and are eco-friendly. Plus, there is no chance of over-fertilizing when you use them.
However, this kind of fertilizer is complex to apply. Also, they are expensive than other products out there. Meanwhile, this fertilizer attracts bugs and pests.
Synthetic Fertilizer (Artificial, Manufactured, or Inorganic): The best lawn fertilizers that you come across on the market are of this variety. As compared to organic fertilizers, this fertilizer act quickly and are inexpensive. When you use synthetic fertilizers, you get the accurate ratio of essential nutrients.
However, this fertilizer over-fertilizer the lawn quickly and can even turn out to be toxic. Moreover, there are no benefits on your soil with this kind of fertilizer.
Fertilizer Form
Fertilizers arrive in different forms like liquid and granules. One can easily use pellets as compared to liquid because pellets can be spread with the help of a spreader. Thus, granules provide even and consistent application all around. Meanwhile, you can apply liquid fertilizers with a spray bottle or lawn sprinkler.
Climate Check
Before purchasing a fertilizer, you have to examine the area where you reside. If the climate is drier and hotter around you, it is best to go with Scotts Turf Builder fertilizers as they help in utmost water absorption and make your grass healthy. Get the knowledge from neighbors or others to know about your soil type and what it is lacking.
Application Frequency
When your lawn requires to be fertilized, the application procedure remains the determining factor for effectiveness. In winters, one can fertilize grass kinds like tall fescue, perennial rye, etc. In springs, the grass types include Buffalo, Zoysia, and Bermuda that you need to fertilize.
So, these are some points that you have to take care of before buying a lawn fertilizer for your lawn.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Lawn Fertilizers
Q1: What is a lawn fertilizer?
A: A lawn fertilizer helps in producing healthy grass and in reducing the growth of pests and weeds by improving the soil. This improvement occurs due to the essential nutrients that plants require to grow, which they absorb through the roots. When it comes to a lawn fertilizer, you have lots of different types of fertilizer. Overall, they help to make your garden more resilient and more vibrant.
Q2: What do the digits on a lawn fertilizer signify?
A: The digit signifies the amount of nutrients comprised in the fertilizer. The first digit shows the amount of nitrogen that the fertilizer has, the second one shows the quantity of phosphate and the last one is the potash amount. These three nutrients constitute the chief nutrients in fertilizers. Apart from them, there are other ingredients like iron.
Q3: How to apply a lawn fertilizer?
A: If you want to apply lawn fertilizer in your yard, it is best to take the help of a spread. One can easily find spreaders in the market as they are the most effective and efficient method to apply fertilizer.
Q4: What type of fertilizer do you require for your grass?
A: Firstly, you need to decide how much lawn fertilizer you actually require for the lawn. If the lawn seems healthy and green, then there’s no need to use a lot of it. In that case, you can do away with just leaving grass clippings or you can just apply nutrients one time in a year. If you own a big yard that your family often use, you have to apply fertilizer two or four times in a year. This is especially when you do not leave the grass clippings after mowing on your lawn.
As stated above, there are different kinds of fertilizers out there. Water-soluble fertilizers require mixing up with water before applying them to the lawn. Organic fertilizers feature a slow release rate as compared to the water-soluble ones. However, these products are safer for use around pets and family. Plus, they are expensive than synthetic fertilizers. Meanwhile, granulated nutrients require to be sprinkled all across the lawn. So, choose one depending on your requirements.
Q5: When to fertilize?
A: If you own northern turf such as Fescue, Ryegrass, or Bluegrass, one can apply lawn fertilizer around May. If you are growing southern grasses such as Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda, then spray it during April when these grasses start to grow.
Conclusion
Now, you know what is the best lawn fertilizer for your lawn! We recommend you to choose Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Lawn Food due to its superb qualities. If you are looking for something organic, then choose Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer or Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade. There is another great organic product called Espoma Organic Fall Fertilizer. Then, there is Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Booster, which is great for having a greener, healthier lawn.
Here, we have talked about both organic and synthetic fertilizers. You can choose one depending on your preferences and the lawn’s requirements. Also, choose between liquid and granular fertilizers. Hoping, this article helped you a bit in choosing the best lawn fertilizer for your beautiful lawn.
