What You Need To Know Before Fertilizing Your Home Lawn

What kind of fertilizer does your lawn need? When should you fertilize? What does that NPK icon stand for on every bag of fertilizer? Before you order fertilizer from us with your delivery of grass sod, here’s what you need to know – with thanks to our supplier of fertilizer, Terralink, for their expertise

With competitive price and timely delivery, Lvwang Ecological Fertilizer sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

What kind of fertilizer is good for my home lawn

A lot of it depends on which season you’re in.

Spring. 18-18-18 fertilizer is a balanced product. It’s got plenty of nitrogen to boosts root growth just when it’s needed, with potassium to build up the cell wall. You need that phosphorus for root growth in the spring.

Summer. 23-4-8 fertilizer works for most home lawns and gardens. At this time, you don’t need as much phosphorous, as grass is dormant and there’s not a lot of root growth in the summer.

Fall/Winter. 15-5-30 is the most popular type of fertilizer for this season. You need a slow-release product to feed the grass and their roots through winter. Phosphorus isn’t as important at this time, but potassium helps strengthen the cell wall.

How Much Fertilizer Do I Need

Measure out the area of your lawn into a total square footage. Generally, most urban lawns need about 3 pounds of nitrogen a year, but beyond that there are many variables. The specific amount of fertilizer you need will depend on the type you buy; too much can actually harm your lawn! Each bag of fertilizer will have a recommendation for the amount of lawn it covers right on the label – and if you’re having trouble, we’ll recommend the exact amount you need.

When should I fertilize my lawn?

In BC and Alberta, your landscaper can skip a summer feeding – you’ll just be helping the weeds grow while the grass lies dormant.

Fertilize in the fall to winterize your lawn and make sure it’s got the nutrients it needs to renew itself when it warms up; add more fertilizer in the spring as your lawn starts to look about half-green and the grass is just starting to come back again.

What’s in the different types of fertilizer?

Fertilizers come in a range of varieties. Generally, they’re split into organic vs. synthetic and water soluble or granular.

Organic fertilizer can be made from grass cuttings and leaves, as well as bone and blood meal to add nitrogen and other nutrients. Synthetic fertilizer is a blend of chemicals that stimulate growth and may target specific kinds of pests (You’ll see on the bag). Granular fertilizer gives you greater control over how long it takes for the nutrients to work their way into the soil; slower can be safer, preventing burning and reducing waste. Water-soluble fertilizer breaks down quicker when you irrigate – which stimulates faster growth and green color.

What do those numbers mean on the fertilizer bag?

The numbers are grouped as the elemental symbols Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK). The nitrogen content is there to promote growth and strong color. Phosphorous helps your grass sod lawn develop healthy roots. Potassium gives your grass overall health and resistance to extremes of heat or cold, or dry conditions.

The numbers are percentages of content for the various nutrients. For instance, 18-18-18 fertilizer would include 18 percent for each of the main nutrients.

Does my Vancouver-area landscaper need to prepare my lawn before we fertilize it?

Maybe. Your landscaper knows it’s best practice to do a soil test on your lawn to see whether it’s got the right pH level (between 6.0 and 6.5). Too alkaline or acidic and your lawn won’t be able to absorb nutrients fully – giving you less results from your fertilizer.

That said, there’s best practice – and what 99 percent of landscapers really do.

In the areas where we deliver our grass sod, soils in Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland are generally acidic as a result of the rain. They’ll add lime in the spring and fall to counteract it. In the BC interior and beyond to Alberta, it’s drier and more alkaline, they can add sulfur.

Are you interested in learning more about NPK 15-5-30(pt,sw,th)? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

A professional landscaper should be able to advise you on the soil properties of the region and should take care of it as part of their regular service.

Where can I get fertilizer for my lawn?

5-minute read 

Ever wonder if fertilizer is really necessary? Ever felt lost with all different number combinations and terms? Read on to learn more about the various types of fertilizer and how they can help fuel your plant's growth. 

Types of Fertilizer

Water–Soluble Fertilizers

Water–soluble fertilizers are powdered. Small amounts are measured and poured into room temperature water or slightly warm water. These fertilizers can be mixed right into a watering can or a bottle and used immediately or stored for a few days before use.

Slow–Release Fertilizers

Slow–release fertilizers are granules about the size of a BB that are sprinkled on top of the ground above the root zone. They slowly release nutrients over a long period of time. Some or all granules may be polymer-coated. This can benefit the plant because it provides an even nutrient supply and decreases waste through leaching. The benefits can outweigh the added cost.

What the numbers mean

Macronutrients

Plants need 18 elements for optimum growth and health. The three numbers represent three of the six major elements that plants require. They are known as the primary macronutrients. They are N-P-K or nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and are universally listed in that order. The numerical value represents the  percent of the overall weight. Thus a 20-20-20 fertilizer is 20% N, 20% P and 20% K. This formula is 60% fertilizer by weight and 40% filler. (Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are macronutrients derived from air and water and thus are not part of the fertilizer formulas.) 

Intermediate Nutrients

Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur may be included in fertilizer formulas but are often found in sufficient  quantities in most soils or are added incidentally through other methods such as from irrigation water.

Micronutrients

Elements required in very small amounts are the micronutrients: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and chlorine (Cl).

Value 

Formulas with small numbers, such as 6-6-6, are referred to as “low-analysis” fertilizers. Those with larger numbers, such as 20-20-20, are “high-analysis.” A 3-pound bag of 20-20-20 is equal to a 10-pound bag of 6-6-6 if other things are equal. 

Examples: 

3 pounds of 20-20-20 [3x(20+20+20)=180]

10 pounds of 6-6-6 [10x(6+6+6)=180]

Factors that increase quality and price include micronutrient inclusion, high analysis, and slow-release.

Our Fertilizers

Banana Fuel | 15-5-30 | Water–Soluble
This is the precise ratio formula recommended by banana growers.

Elephant Ear Fuel | 20-10-20 | Water–Soluble
We have had great success using this on our elephant ears. This can also be used on all types of plants with great success.

Fruit, Nut & Berry Fuel | 20-6-9 | Slow–Release 90 days
This formula helps to build strong, healthy plants and trees which can then provide exceptional yields. The slow–release formula gives steady nutrition over a 90-day period. Reapply every 90 days during the growing season.

Houseplant and Landscape Fuel | 20-20-20 | Water–Soluble
This is a great general–purpose fertilizer for both foliage and flowering plants.

Flower Power Fuel | 10-30-20 | Water–Soluble
Flower Power Fuel has a little less nitrogen and more phosphorus. This formula encourages flower formation.

For more NPK 12 12 17information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.