FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE HELPFUL HINTS
HELPFUL HINTS
FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE LAWN FERTILIZATION
present. For example, a fertilizer with an analysis of 16-4-8 has 16 percent N, 4 percent P, and 8 percent K. It also is not too difficult to find products containing the secondary nutrients (sulfur, calcium, and magnesium). Fertilizers containing micronutrients are typically more difficult to find because in most cases soil tests will show they are sufficient due to the minimal amounts required for growth.
Plants are comprised mostly of water and less than a quarter of their mass is made up of dry matter. Tis dry matter is made up primarily of organic compounds that result from the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. However, for this and other chemical reactions to occur all living plants rely on inorganic elements for growth. Tese are called essential elements and are usually classified as macronutrients or micronutrients, depending on their relative concentration inside of plants. Tese elements can come from the soil, atmosphere, deposition of organic residues, and fertilization. Uptake of these elements relies on many factors including availability, soil moisture, temperature, soil microbial activity, rooting depth, growth rate, etc.
Lawns, like all other plants, require certain essential nutrients for growth. Tese essential nutrients are derived from organic elements such as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen as well as inorganic elements such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, and others. Lawns and other plants obtain these essential nutrients from the surrounding soil, air, and water and are often naturally occurring. However, in many cases, plants including lawns can benefit from additional applications of essential nutrients. When looking at common fertilizer products, it is important to understand the various language on the label in order to select the correct one.
Fertilizers are required by law to state their contents and do so on the label. Generally speaking, the macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) are commonly found in many over-the-counter fertilizer products. Te three numbers in the fertilizer analysis indicate the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) that are
For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at:
www.TheLawnInstitute.org.
TPI Turf News November/December 2022 9
Fertilizer products can be “complete” meaning they contain N, P, and K, or they can be “incomplete” meaning they are lacking at least one of these three primary nutrients. Tey also can have varying amounts of nutrients in them, referred to as the analysis (16-4-8, 33-0-0, 0-0-60). Turfgrass fertilizers also often contain a combination of quick- and slow-release sources of nutrients to support growth by supplying nutrients for both immediate and long-term use.
Many fertilizer products intended for use on residential lawns will also state on their label how many square feet they will cover. For example, “Tis bag covers 5,000 square feet” means the fertilizer manufacturer has already determined the correct amount of nutrients to be applied for that area.
Fertilizers are an important tool in maintaining healthy plant growth for any live plants, including lawns, and it is important to use the label information to select a product whose analysis and sources are consistent with plant requirements and/or soil test results. Teir responsible, accurate application will provide the necessary nutrients and energy so that you can capture all of the many benefits that lawns have to offer.
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