Unfortunately, using fertilizer is one of them, and in the US alone, we tend to be a bit overzealous with its application.

And that causes problems – for us, for our lawns, and – not least – for the environment.

One of the most common is “fertilizer burn,” which happens when too much product is applied on a given area.

But don’t panic just yet!

In this article, we tell you how to reverse fertilizer lawn burn, and get your grass back on track to looking its best.

Fertilizer Burn on Grass – The Quick Version

You’re worried you’ve over-fertilized your lawn, and you might even have noticed early signs that it’s happening. In a panic, you don’t have time to read a full article on the subject.

So, here’s the short version:

To reverse fertilizer burn, follow the steps below:

1. Water the lawn.

That’s about it!

That said, there’s a little more to it than that, and I highly recommend you keep reading to learn more about fertilizer burn, including how and why it happens.

And how much water to give it.

If every lawn care enthusiast was armed with this knowledge, our lawns (and the environment) would be the better for it!

What is Fertilizer Burn?

When too much fertilizer is applied to a plant, fertilizer burn can be the result.

It isn’t the same kind of burn you’d get from heat, (although the effects can be similar) but rather a chemical reaction that damages the grass/foliage.

Aside from over fertilizing, this can also occur when applying a product unevenly, or due to an accidental spillage – which we’ve all done. Never decant fertilizer from its packaging while on the lawn!

But how does fertilizer burn happen?

Fertilizers contain nutrients that are essential to the growth of plants. They provide this by “feeding” the soil – which the plant can then take up and use for a health boost.

But you can have too much of a good thing, and some of these fertilizers also contain soluble mineral salts that draw moisture away from the grass and into the soil.

It basically disrupts a process called osmosis, which in turn disrupts a plant’s ability to photosynthesize, which in turn causes a plant to lose its color and eventually die.

But I’m no biological boffin! The video below – from an actual soil scientist – will give you a more in-depth explanation of how and why this process occurs when over-fertilizing plants.

Fertilizer Burn Signs

How do you know when your grass or plants are victims of fertilizer burn?

The first tell-tale over-fertilization lawn symptoms include yellow or browned grass, or shades thereof. If you’ve recently fertilized, and your grass turns color – it’s likely a result of fertilizer burn.

And it can be hard to identify during the summer – as sun-scorched, parched grass looks very similar.

Below the surface, the plant’s roots might also be harmed, and if your grass has become brittle, crunchy, and breaks easily instead of bending – then a replanting job might be the only way to go.

But how long does fertilizer burn take to occur?

You will usually see the effects of over-fertilization one or two days after application – if you’re using a liquid product, that is typically fast-acting.

Slow-release granular formulas might take as much as two weeks to show the signs of fertilizer burned grass. Go here for more information on granular vs liquid fertilizers.

And this general article on how to fix yellow grass covers a variety of other issues that might be causing the discoloration of your lawn.

How to Fix Fertilizer Burn

Accidents happen, and mistakes can be made – we’re only human, after all.

Thankfully, fertilizer burn is pretty straightforward to reverse, and with these steps (or step, singular) your grass should bounce back in no time.

Give the area about an inch of water every day, and do this for a maximum of one week.

If it shows no signs of recovery, your grass is likely to be severely damaged and beyond saving. Replanting is probably your only course of action.

You can try overseeding, for a cost-effective, but a time-consuming method to revitalize your lawn.

Or, you might like to give grass plugs a go – and you can follow that link to find out why it’s a good alternative to both overseeding and laying sod.

If, on the other hand, your grass starts to recover, then congratulations! You have repaired the fertilizer burn! Continue to water responsibly, as part of a normal lawn irrigation schedule for the season.

They’re not that great for the environment after all, and there are so many more beneficial options available!

Read the fascinating history of lawns for more information, and you just might find out that you can save a ton of money, time, effort, and waste in the process!

How to Prevent Fertilizer Burn

Prevention is better than cure, and if only homeowners took more care when it comes to applying fertilizer products, we’d reduce the amount of problems we see in our gardens – and in the environment.

In order to fully prevent fertilizer burn, I would suggest abstaining from fertilizer use altogether. Grass will grow fine on its own, after all!

But if you really must give it a health boost to take it to the next level, then make sure you apply the right kind of fertilizer at the right time – and always in accordance with the instructions.

Sure, it might be labeled as “lawn food,” and you might think that by giving it a huge portion, it’s automatically going to be healthier, stronger, and greener than everyone else’s lawn on the block.

This is nonsense.

Check out our full guide to how and when to fertilize your garden, and you can also read more at our complete month-by-month lawn care calendar.

And this article on the different types of lawn fertilizer will help you identify the right kind of product to use on your lawn.

Alternatively, you might also like to try making your own – as a DIY organic fertilizer has so many uses around the garden, and you’re less likely to burn plants with its use. Follow that link to learn how!

Organic is just one of several types of gardening methods, but it’s one I continue to champion, as it’s the most eco-friendly way to achieve a beautiful, bountiful yard.

How to Revive Burnt Grass

Perhaps you’re looking to revive a burnt lawn of a different kind?

As in – it’s literally been burned!

With, y’know, fire. Or heat. And not a sarcastic, witty put down.

Maybe you’ve had a bonfire, or a fire pit?

Severely burnt grass might well be beyond salvation, (black, ashy remains), and raking up the dead material followed by overseeding is probably the best solution.

However, you can certainly try to bring it back to life with a proper lawn watering schedule. Follow that link for a full step-by-step guide to lawn irrigation.

FAQs

How long does it take a lawn to recover from fertilizer burn?

It depends on the extent of the damage. If it’s just the top grass on the surface, you’re probably looking at one to two weeks for a full recovery – with adequate watering.

For a more serious problem, it will depend on the method you choose to replace that patch of grass – overseeding, grass plugs, or laying sod.

Does fertilizer kill weeds?

While fertilizer can burn plants, it’s not that great at actually killing them off (you’ll want to try all these different types of weed killer for that).

Still, you can find out more if you read our “does Fertilizer Kill Weeds” article.

Is lawn food the same as fertilizer?

Great question. In short – yes, it is!

This marketing ploy by companies might be the reason some homeowners put too much fertilizer down on their lawns. Plants actually make their own food!

I highly recommend reading this article on lawn food vs fertilizer to get properly clued in.

Can organic fertilizer burn plants?

Used correctly, organic fertilizers won’t burn plants – not anything like synthetic products can.

Which is just another reason to make the switch to using organic methods in your gardening! Go here for some more awesome eco-friendly lawn care tips.

Summary

If we all used fertilizer properly, there would be no need for articles on how to reverse fertilizer burn. I can’t stress enough how important it is to use these products responsibly.

We’re already causing enough damage to the environment as it is.

Let me know your thoughts on over-fertilization, especially if you have any top-tips for our readers on how to bring plants back to life.

Stay safe out there, and happy gardening!

And two popular products that always receive plenty of buzz around the growing season are seaweed and fish fertilizers.

But what exactly are they? Are they the same thing? What’s the difference?

And how much do they smell?!

In this article, we take a look at seaweed fertilizer vs fish fertilizer, and help you choose the right formula for your yard.

Seaweed and Fish Emulsion – The Short Version

Let’s keep things short and simple for anyone who just needs the abridged summary of this article:

Fish emulsion and seaweed fertilizer are two different things – and should not be confused.

Fish fertilizer can mean fish emulsion, fish meal, and fish hydrolysate – but they are not the same. We’ll explain more about this, below.

Fish fert is used to improve overall soil health, increasing its fertility by adding essential nutrients that plant life needs.

Seaweed fert is also used as a soil conditioner, and it will improve soil texture and water retention, as well as help to reduce the occurrence of pests and disease.

Both options are extremely beneficial to plant life in general and can encourage strong, healthy roots, as well as bright, colorful flowers, and high vegetable yields.

So, which do you choose? Read on to find out!

What is Seaweed Fertilizer?

As you might expect, seaweed fertilizer is made from seaweed.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

It’s an organic formula that is used to boost soil fertility and plant growth, as seaweed absorbs beneficial nutrients and minerals from the seas and oceans it’s found in.

Living in a tidal environment, seaweed will spend some of its life underwater, as well as the times its drying in the sun. And that is a winning combination for developing plant-boosting goodness.

Being plant based itself, seaweed fertilizer is seen as a fully organic option, and is becoming more and more popular for use in 100% organic gardening. Follow that link for more tips on growing green!

As a result, you’ll find that most seaweed fertilizers are OMRI listed (Organic Materials Review Institute).

Alternatively, if organic gardening isn’t your thing, check out this article on different types of gardening methods to find your niche.

Seaweed Fertilizer Uses

By benefiting a plant’s overall health, and vigor, seaweed fertilizer can be used pretty much anywhere in the garden – and in your houseplants, too!

It helps to support the thickness of a plant’s cellular wall, which can in turn help to prevent disease. Used just before winter, a seaweed fertilizer can also improve a plant’s resistance to the cold.

And while we’re on that subject, click this link to find out how you can protect your grass from frost, to help see your lawn through the winter.

Seaweed fertilizer is perfect for use when transplanting, as it reduces transplant shock when moving plants into a new environment.

Seaweed fert can be used to help new seeds germinate. Soak the seeds overnight in a properly diluted solution, or spray them after sowing.

Check out this article on the different types of grass seeds if you’re looking to repair or start a new lawn.

In fact, there isn’t really a situation in the garden that wouldn’t benefit from seaweed fertilizer – given the fact that it’s an all-natural product.

And it is still possible to burn plants with this type of product – especially if you incorrectly dispense a commercially available liquid seaweed concentrate.

Seaweed Fertilizer Advantages

Seaweed Fertilizer Disadvantages

What is Fish Fertilizer?

To many new green thumbs, the thought of adding fish-related products to the garden might be a little perplexing, at first!

Yet the remains of our aquatic friends contain loads of nutrients and minerals that they’ve absorbed during a life in the sea.

And it’s these nutrients and minerals that we want, as they can be highly beneficial to the plant life in our yards.

But what is a fish fertilizer actually made from?

If you’re eating, I apologize!

Fish fertilizers are organic formulas that are most commonly available in a concentrated liquid form,  although there are dry feeds available – such as fish meal.

This is derived from a process that prevents usable fish products from going to waste, and there are three, main types.

Fish Emulsion

This type of fish fert is created by cooking fish carcasses at high temperatures, and then grinding them into a paste, which includes the scales, skin, guts, and bones.

The oils are then removed – and used for other industries – such as health and beauty products.

Sulphuric acid might be added to balance out the pH levels.

This fishy sludge is then strained, and the liquid that remains is called “fish emulsion.” If you think the bottle smells bad, imagine how it is at the processing plant!

Fish Hydrolysate

Imagine the above process but without the oils removed. Fish hydrolysate is just pure, 100% fish waste, cooked and ground into a concentrated liquid.

While it’s usually more expensive than emulsion, it’s much more beneficial to your plants, as it doesn’t remove all the extra goodness contained in the fish oil.

Fish Meal

Basically, fish meal is what’s leftover from fish oil production – grinding and cooking the fish, and drying and pressing the meat and bones. It makes an excellent soil amendment, and is easily composted.

Fish meal also doesn’t smell nearly as bad as liquid fish fertilizers – so this might be an option if you really can’t stand the odor.

This article on liquid vs granular fertilizers is highly recommended if you’re struggling with choosing between dry and wet products.

A quick word on the environmental impact of fish fertilizers. It is thought that some products are made from fish that have been specifically caught for this purpose.

And speaking of eco-friendly, this article on nature-approved lawn care is a good place to start for going green; but you might not want a patch of grass at all after you’ve read the history of lawns!

Fish Fertilizer Uses

A good, responsibly sourced fish fertilizer can be used just about anywhere in your garden – your plants are going to love it!

The beauty of these organic fertilizers is that they contain a lot of micronutrients, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and chlorine.

Plants need a total of 17 different nutrients to really thrive, and not just the “big three” NPK numbers (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)).

That said, nitrogen is the most important of these, and fish fertilizer happens to have a lot of it, because fish are high in protein. It also has phosphorus and potassium elements, too.

Use a fish fertilizer on your lawn in the early spring – and you’ll see the benefits by the time BBQ season comes around!

Fish Fertilizer Advantages

Fish Fertilizer Disadvantages

If you do happen to overuse any kind of fertilizer, this article on how to reverse lawn fertilizer burn might be able to help.

When to Use Fish/Seaweed Fertilizers

The beauty of these two products is that it doesn’t have to be an either-or conundrum.

Used simultaneously, your garden will reap the benefits from both types of fertilizer. You can even purchase liquid seaweed and fish emulsion products that already combine the two.

I would suggest trying a seaweed fertilizer on your flowers and veggies, and a fish fertilizer as part of your lawn care schedule. Don’t miss our month-by-month guide to lawn maintenance while you’re here!

Both options are best applied when plants are actively growing. Take a look at the video below which shows the results of a fish and seaweed fertilizer application.

And for a catch-all guide to feeding the plant life in your yard, head over to this article that fully explains when and how often you should fertilize your garden.

Other Types of Fertilizers

Of course, there are many more different types of lawn fertilizers out there to give your lawn the much-needed boost it deserves.

Follow the link above for a full article on what’s available.

Alternatively, you might also be tempted to make your own, which can also be used in other areas of your garden – such as flower beds and vegetable patches.

Check out this article on DIY fertilizers, and pay particular attention to the organic “compost tea” recipe!

And read on to find out if you can make your own fish fertilizer, too.

FAQs

How do you make fish waste fertilizer?

Like many DIY fertilizers, there are several recipes/methods available when it comes to making your own fish-based product at home.

It also takes a bit of time, and effort on your part, and while it can save you money in the long run, it can be a laborious – and extremely smelly – process.

Still, if you’d like to give it a go, watching this video is the perfect way to get started.

Can you use seaweed fertilizer on indoor plants?

Yes! Seaweed fert is excellent for indoor plants – but you need to make sure you have your quantities right when mixing liquids.

A rule of thumb is one teaspoon of product to one gallon of water – but always double-check the instructions to be sure.

Does fertilizer have a shelf life?

As mentioned above, many of these products can be used indefinitely (five to ten years), providing they haven’t been opened/diluted.

This article on fertilizer shelf life will tell you more – but just make sure to always read the label.

Summary

There is a distinct difference between these two products, but when it comes to seaweed fertilizer vs fish fertilizer – which is the best?

There isn’t a clear winner, as they both have different uses for helping boost the plant life in your yard.

(Although if it’s a choice between the two, I’d go with seaweed fert every single time!)

Let me know which option you prefer, or if you have any fish/seaweed fertilizer tips and/or experience you’d like to share with the community.

Stay safe out there, and happy gardening!

The answer is probably yes!

Fertilizer has a pretty impressive shelf life but it does depend on the kind you use since there are different types of fertilizers and how it has been stored.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how long you can keep fertilizer happy for many years.

Key Points

Does Fertilizer Go Bad?

Yes.

Fertilizer does go bad eventually, but it actually takes a lot longer than you might think. Properly stored fertilizer can last many years before it needs to be disposed of and replaced.

It also depends on the kind of fertilizer you have. Liquid fertilizer typically doesn’t last as long as granular fertilizer.

Some fertilizers will have an expiry date on the packaging but this isn’t necessarily reliable. If the fertilizer has been exposed to temperature changes then it might already have degraded before its official expiry date.

But what exactly do we mean when we say bad?

Bad means different things depending on the kind of fertilizer. Granular fertilizer can last a really long time, indefinitely even (if stored correctly), but if it’s exposed to moisture then it could start to harbor mold and degrade.

Liquid fertilizer can experience some crystallization when exposed to fluctuating temperatures which can degrade the quality of the nutrients it contains. This could make it a weaker solution in terms of how helpful it is for your garden, or it could upset the balance of nutrients and actually do more harm than good.

How to Store Fertilizer Correctly

As you might have guessed already, how long your fertilizer lasts basically comes down to how you store it.

Maintaining a constant temperature is the most important factor.

Humidity is also important for granulated fertilizer.

Keep your granulated fertilizer in a sealed container somewhere where it won’t be exposed to dampness.

How Long Does fertilizer Last if Stored Correctly?

Assuming that the old bag you found in your garage hasn’t been exposed to extremes of temperatures or dampness, how long is it good for?

What to do if Your Fertilizer Has Gone Bad?

Fertilizer needs to be disposed of carefully. It can’t just be tipped down the drain as it could be harmful to water supplies and the local environment.

Your best option for disposing of organic fertilizer is to add it to your compost pile. This will allow it to break down and be suitably diluted before it gets added to your garden. It may even boost the nutrient composition of your compost.

Don’t have a compost yet? It’s never too late! All you need to get started is a kitchen compost bin for collecting food waste and keeping your kitchen odor-free, and an outdoor compost heap or tumbler if you’re keen to minimize the labor involved.

If you’re looking to learn more about fertilizer use and the different types, I have a couple more articles that you might find helpful on how often to fertilize and the difference between granular and liquid fertilizer.

Summary

As you can see, this is a good-news article! It’s very likely that packet of old fertilizer is perfectly fine to use. But you can always up your game and be careful about future storage to ensure that any more fertilizer you purchase will also not go bad.

I hope this was useful. Feel free to hit me up with any questions below if there is something I missed!

So it makes sense to fertilize when the grass is already wet, right? Or better yet, in the rain?

Unfortunately not.

Fertilizing really wet grass, or when it’s raining, is rarely a good idea. There may be some instances when you can get away with it. But in general, it’s best to avoid fertilizing your lawn when it’s wet.

I’m going to answer the question, can you fertilize wet grass? I’ll explain when it’s ok, and when it’s not.

Keep reading to decide which category your lawn fits into.

What Happens if You Apply Fertilizer to Wet Grass?

The more detailed answer to this question is that it depends on how wet your grass is, and what kind of fertilizer you are using.

Different fertilizer types will cope with varying amounts of moisture on your lawn.

Let’s go through each fertilizer type and how wet your lawn can be for application.

And if you’re wondering whether the fertilizer you already have is still good to use, have a read of my article on whether fertilizer goes bad.

Liquid

Liquid fertilizers usually come in a concentrated form and need diluting before application. Consequently, it’s easy to think that you could save yourself some work by applying the fertilizer when the grass is wet.

However, this is risky.

If your lawn is so wet that there are puddles, or your footprints sink into the soil when you walk, using liquid fertilizer is a bad idea, period.

The fertilizer will be diluted to the point that it’s not useful, and will likely be washed away, contributing to pollution.

Since it will be hard to know how much of the fertilizer actually reached the grass, you may end up applying more, and over-applying as a result.

The other risk is that since lawns are usually naturally a little uneven, it follows that the amount of water in your lawn if it’s very wet will also be uneven. This means it’s likely that the fertilizer would end up being too diluted in some areas, while ending up too concentrated in others.

The symptoms of too much fertilizer include yellowing leaves from nitrogen burn. This means it could be hard to know which areas have received too much, or are suffering for other reasons.

It’s safest to avoid applying liquid fertilizer when your lawn is wet, and wait until it has dried instead.

Granular

Granular fertilizer is safer to apply in wet conditions than liquid fertilizer. This is because it isn’t washed away as easily, and isn’t as easily diluted.

However, as already mentioned, if your lawn is really sodden, it’s not a good idea to apply any fertilizer, even granular.

The only time it’s ok to apply granular fertilizer to a wet lawn is when there has just been some light rain, your lawn is damp but the soil isn’t saturated, and there is no further rain forecast for several days.

If you’re interested in learning more about the difference between liquid and granular fertilizer, I have an article on exactly that that you should check out.

Foliar

Unfortunately, it is never ok to apply foliar fertilizer to wet grass, no matter how wet.

Foliar fertilizer needs to make contact with the grass blades, a.k.a. foliage. If the grass is even a little damp, foliar fertilizer will not be able to stick and do its job.

Instead, it’s essential to wait until your lawn is dry to apply foliar fertilizer.

Organic

Organic fertilizers are generally more forgiving than synthetic fertilizers when it comes to wet conditions, especially if they are in the form of solid materials like compost.

But to be safe, consider the rules for organic fertilizer to be the same as granular when it comes to a wet lawn. If you leave squelchy footprints behind on your lawn when you walk, it’s too wet.

If your lawn is just a little damp, it’s ok to fertilize with organic fertilizer, provided there is no heavy rain forecast.

Controlled/Slow-Release

Controlled-release or slow-release fertilizers generally come in granular form with coatings which slow how quickly they are broken down by light and water. Slow-release liquid fertilizers do exist but they are less common.

Slow-release granular fertilizers can be applied if the lawn is wet but the soil is not saturated.

Quick-Release

Quick-release fertilizers almost always come in liquid form. It’s never a good idea to apply quick-release fertilizers when the lawn is wet. The chance of the fertilizer becoming too diluted and being washed away is too high.

It’s also likely that your lawn would end up unevenly fertilized, with some parts of the lawn receiving none, and some parts too much.

Since too much fertilizer can seriously harm the health of your lawn, this is something you definitely want to avoid.

Reasons to Avoid Applying Fertilizer When Your Lawn is Wet

We’ve gone over the different kinds of fertilizers and whether it’s ok to apply them when the grass is wet.

But if you just want to know why it’s risky to apply fertilizer to wet grass, regardless of the type of fertilizer, here are the reasons:

Uneven Fertilization

No matter how much work you put into making your lawn as uniform and even as possible, nature rarely complies. All lawns, even the most perfectly manicured, are inherently uneven to some degree.

If there has been heavy rain, there will be areas that are wetter than others. There will be areas that are more prone to standing water, and areas that tend to avoid this.

This is bad news when it comes to fertilizing. Fertilizers of any kind will end up being more diluted in wetter areas, and may even end up flowing into the less wet areas, becoming overly concentrated.

In general, fertilizing a very wet lawn is likely going to end up with uneven results.

If your lawn appears persistently wet, it may also need aerating. You may have compacted soil, or soil that is heavy with clay. Aeration will increase the drainage of the soil and help it to dry out more quickly after heavy rain.

If you’re new to aerating, I have a complete guide to aerating that will help you, and also more info on how often to aerate, and a guide to different types of aerators too.

Dilution

Even if your lawn is super even, if it is very wet, the fertilizer you apply is going to end up too diluted. This means that your grass won’t benefit from it, and you’ll likely need another application.

Nitrogen Burn

The other extreme of dilution occurs from too much fertilizer. Nitrogen burn occurs when more nitrogen than is useful to the plant is applied. This could easily happen if you think that your first application of fertilizer was unsuccessful, and so you apply more.

If you’re not sure whether your first application ended up being too diluted, don’t apply again. It is far more damaging to your grass to apply too much fertilizer than not enough.

Water Pollution

Applying fertilizer to wet grass increases the risk of run-off. This is when excess nutrients are washed into the surrounding environment, causing pollution to water bodies like streams and lakes.

You might think that nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium don’t count as pollution, but they most certainly do. Especially when they have come from synthetic fertilizers rather than natural sources.

Too much nitrogen, in particular, causes toxic algal blooms. The byproduct of nitrogen, nitrates, also lowers the pH of water bodies, causing them to become more acidic and unlivable for many species of plants, fish and insects.

Wasted Time and Money

Last but not least, applying fertilizer to overly wet grass wastes your time and money.

If you’re really struggling to find an opportunity to fertilizer your lawn when everything is dry enough, you’re better off not bothering at all.

Other Considerations

Does Your Yard Need Fertilizer?

Assuming it’s dry enough, before you waste time and money fertilizing your lawn, it’s worth deciding whether it actually needs fertilizing at all.

Contrary to popular opinion, regular fertilizing shouldn’t be necessary if you have healthy soil. In fact, routine fertilizing with synthetic fertilizers can set you up for an unhealthy dependence on these chemicals.

Repeated use of synthetic fertilizers actually degrades soil health, making it harder for soil to hold on to water and nutrients.

Synthetic fertilizers also increase the acidity of soil over time, resulting in the need for more soil amendments to make the soil more alkaline. If your soil has become acidic, you may notice that your grass isn’t looking very happy, and wrongly think that more fertilizer is the answer.

Do a soil test, find out if your soil is lacking important nutrients, and fertilize on an as-needed basis, rather than routinely.

I have another article on how often to fertilize your garden that might also be helpful.

Organic versus Synthetic Fertilizer

As mentioned above, since synthetic fertilizers degrade soil health over time and make your lawn more dependent on continued applications, it’s worth considering the alternatives.

Organic fertilizers are made using raw materials such as sea weed, fish meal and animal manure. The benefits of using organic fertilizers are numerous but the main bonus is that you get increased soil health over time.

Organic fertilizers contain many more micronutrients aside from the classic NPK formulations. But the best part is that these nutrients are in their natural form, making them supportive of the essential microbes that you need for good soil health.

Happy microbes mean happy soil, which means happy plants.

Lastly, organic fertilizers are also slow-releasing, meaning you don’t run the risk of nitrogen burn.

Avoid Weed and Feed Products

Weed and feed products are bad for you, your pets, the environment, and arguably your lawn too.

They use quick-release fertilizer which can result in nitrogen burn, and/or be washed away to pollute the surrounding environment. But the really bad part is in the ‘weed’ component.

These herbicides are harmful to surrounding trees, shrubs and other plants, not to mention humans and pets. They also persist in the soil and bio-accumulate, making the soil toxic for all forms of life.

This is scary enough, but in weed and feed products, rather than being applied directly to the weeds in question, they are applied broad scale over the entire lawn, resulting in a far greater amount being used than was ever necessary.

Most lawns only contain around 5-10% weed species, making complete coverage unnecessary.

Furthermore, there are natural ways to manage lawn weeds that are far preferable. Regular mowing is enough to keep things like dandelions under control. Overseeding is also an effective way to increase the density of your lawn so that it can naturally out-compete weeds.

Keep Your Lawn Healthy Naturally

On a similar note, did you know that there are other things you can do to avoid having to fertilize?

Practices such as leaving some grass clippings on your lawn to break down naturally, and deliberately including clover in your lawn, can mean that your lawn is healthy enough to not require fertilizing. Great, right?

It’s also worth making sure that you aren’t cutting your grass too short. Many people actually mow too short, thinking that a tidy lawn is a short lawn. In actual fact, mowing too short is not helpful for grass health, as you end up removing the part of the grass blade that converts sunlight into food and energy.

A lawn that is too short is going to look like it’s nutrient depleted, and it is, but not because it needs fertilizing – it just needs to be long enough to adequately feed itself.

Brush up on your mowing height knowledge to promote optimal lawn health and avoid fertilizing unnecessarily.

FAQs

Can you fertilize when the ground is wet?

If the ground isn’t so wet that there is standing water, or the soil deforms when you walk on the lawn, then it’s ok to fertilize with granular fertilizer.

Can you fertilize grass in the rain?

It’s safest to avoid fertilizing grass in the rain. Unless you are sure that the rain is only going to be a light shower and not continue on for multiple days.

The risk with fertilizing in the rain is that the rain will dilute and wash away the fertilizer that you’ve applied, making it ineffective, and polluting to local water bodies.

What’s the best time to fertilize your lawn?

The best time of year to fertilize your lawn is early spring for cool season grasses. The best time of day to fertilize your lawn is in the evening, when the sun is weak.

Is slow release fertilizer better than liquid?

This depends on the state of your lawn and whether it is desperate need of a quick fix. If the answer to that question is no, then slow release is the better option.

Summary

So, should you fertilize a wet lawn?

Hopefully, now you’re feeling confident that you understand when it’s ok to fertilize a wet lawn.

In summary, if the lawn is so wet that is standing water or the soil is sodden, don’t fertilize with any fertilizer, period.

If your grass is damp but the soil isn’t, it’s fine. Go nuts. However, you’re safer using granular forms rather than liquid.

Did this article answer all of your questions? If you have any more, feel free to ask them in the comments below!

Not sure what’s in the stuff you’re buying?

Have you been putting too much useful stuff in the trash?

Perhaps it’s time you looked into doing a spot of DIY?!

I’m talking about making your own fertilizer.

It’s a fairly straightforward process – providing you have all the ingredients – many of which you will probably have in your cupboards already.

Or, you might need to create something from scratch – particularly if you’re going organic.

Let’s take a look at all the various DIY lawn fertilizers you can put together at home, and you can save money, and help your garden thrive at the same time!

Homemade Lawn Fertilizers – At a Glance

Like commercially available fertilizers, homemade equivalents can be divided into organic or synthetic (inorganic) depending on the ingredients you’re using.

Organic fertilizers can be made from kitchen waste, such as food scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.

Inorganic fertilizers can be made with things like Epsom salts, household ammonia, mouthwash, and baby shampoo.

Read on for some popular recipes, and how to distribute them on your lawn.

What Are Fertilizers?

Understanding fertilizers and what they do might be straightforward for some, but for new gardeners, it’s worth a little by way of explanation.

Fertilizers can be synthetic – which means they’re made by chemical synthesis, in this case, to imitate an organic product.

Or, they can be organic – made from all-natural ingredients.

It’s the latter of the two that we’re most interested in, today.

Fertilizers are used to stimulate the soil and provide plants with macro and micronutrients in order to help them grow.

The plant uses these nutrients, in part, for photosynthesis – the process in which they use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make their own food.

As such, “lawn food” isn’t food at all, but rather a fertilizer that helps grass make its own sustenance. This article on lawn food vs fertilizer will tell you more.

In synthetic fertilizers, chemical byproducts (typically from the petroleum industry) can be used to create varying percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Known as “the big three,” they are the most essential nutrients for plant growth.

In short (the most basic explanation), nitrogen helps the plant grow, phosphorus develops the roots, and potassium promotes overall health.

However, they can’t do everything, and this is where micronutrients come in.

They include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel, (N), and Zinc (Zn). While they are present naturally, like the “big three” macronutrients, plants can sometimes do with a helping hand.

And that’s where organic fertilizers come in. Think of them as a multivitamin for plants!

For more information, this article on the different types of lawn fertilizer will tell you all you need to know.

Benefits of Homemade Fertilizers

If you’re not convinced, and you need a gentle push in the DIY direction, here are some of the main benefits to making your own fert.

Home Composting

Composting is one of the most important aspects of homemade lawn fertilizers. You can’t call yourself a gardener until you’re making the black gold!

If you don’t have one already, I highly recommend picking up a good compost tumbler for your yard – and you can follow that link for a full review of the best on the market.

This article on the best kitchen compost bins will put that right. And here’s a top tip from personal experience – get the largest one you have room for. Those things fill up fast!

But how do you turn waste into compost? Can you just throw everything in a bin and let time do the rest?

Unfortunately not. Proper composting does take a bit of effort, and you have to nurture the right conditions in order to be successful.

You need to get the right balance of “green” waste, such as table scraps, paper towels, grass clippings, tea bags, etc. With “brown” waste – eggshells, cardboard, fall leaves, sawdust, etc.

And how big is your yard?

If you’re maintaining anything over a medium-sized property, your compost tumbler is going to fill up faster than you might think.

I decided to set up a dedicated compost heap next to my tumbler, and it has become an essential stage in the process – particularly when disposing of excessive yard waste each year.

Check out the video below for a full guide to making your own compost, which will help with creating a topdressing fertilizer for your lawn, as well as providing a health boost to your flower beds and vegetable patches.

And it’s essential for making an amazing, cheap, super-charged, DIY fertilizer – compost tea.

Compost Tea

So, you have your compost bin in the kitchen, and you have the tumbler in the yard, and you’re well on the way to making the black gold.

But about an organic liquid fertilizer? How do you make that at home?

Brewing some “compost tea” is the answer.

Packed with a good kind of bacteria, it’s a cheap and easy way to help achieve the lawn of your dreams. And another way is to read our full month-by-month lawn care guide!

To make compost tea, all you need to do is fill a bucket with water and let it sit overnight to remove the chlorine.

The next day, dump a heap of your compost into the water and let it steep for 24 hours – stirring occasionally.

It’s very similar to brewing a real cup of tea – with added decomposed filth!

Once your compost tea has had a chance to steep, it will be a strong concoction packed with nutrients, and ready to be dispensed where required.

Simply add it to a watering can, or use a backpack or tow-behind sprayer if you’re covering larger areas – such as your lawn.

It’s also amazing for organic gardening, and you can follow that link for more tips on how to keep things au naturel in your yard.

For a full demonstration into how you make compost tea, click on the video, below.

I also recommend checking out this article on the differences between granular and liquid fertilizers – so you can find out which is right for you.

Inorganic Fertilizers – The Most Popular Recipe

There are some other useful homemade grass fertilizers that are considered inorganic formulas, but are still made without harsh chemicals, and can be done easily with a little know-how.

Here’s the full ingredient list and the recipe for one of the most popular versions.

For application, you’ll need a good-quality hose-end sprayer.

Homemade Liquid Lawn Fertilizer

It’s an odd collection of ingredients, wouldn’t you agree?!

So, why choose this particular formula?

Beer is full of nutrients that benefit the grass and the helpful bacteria in the soil. The soda is full of sugar, which stimulates grassroots in the hunt for nitrogen, which will help them crowd out weeds.

And since ammonia contains hydrogen and nitrogen, your homemade fert is providing a healthy dose of ‘N’ with this recipe.

Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulfur – two more micronutrients that are essential to plant life, and the baby shampoo acts as a surfactant – breaking the surface tension of the liquid and allowing it to be easily absorbed.

Simply combine all the ingredients in your sprayer, give it a good swirl around, and you’ve created your first batch of homemade fertilizer for your lawn!

There are other versions out there, and you can adjust the recipe how you see fit, based on what you have, and/or what you need for your lawn.

One such homemade fertilizer even includes mouthwash – which won’t harm your grass, but can be used as an effective pesticide.

Another alternative method is to switch out the Epsom salts for instant tea. You can follow this version by watching the video, below:

How to Dispense Homemade Lawn Fertilizer

Once you have your batch of DIY fertilizer, you’re ready to give it a try on your lawn.

But one of the most confusing aspects of dispensing any product in our yards and gardens – is how, how much, and how often?!

Try this general article that explains when you need to fertilize your garden for some expert tips and advice on the frequency of fertilizing.

Granular, or dry fertilizers – like a compost mixture – can be applied either by hand or by using a broadcast spreader. For large lawns, check out this article on the best tow-behind spreaders on the market.

Top tip – If you’re in any doubt about the formula, try it on a small, inconspicuous area first and wait for it to take effect. You can also use this system to add or remove ingredients depending on the results.

It’s also a great idea to aerate your lawn before applying fertilizer, as it will help decompact the soil, so the good stuff can get to where it needs to go.

Check out our complete guide to lawn aeration for more info.

FAQ

Is rice water good for plants?

Yes, it is! Rice water contains minerals and nutrients that help create healthy bacteria, which can stimulate plant growth.

The problem is, you’ll need to eat a lot of rice if you’re thinking about treating your lawn with a batch of it!

It goes bad after about five days, so unless you’re cooking a vat of rice, you might only be able to use it for spot-treating plants.

This also brings up an interesting point – does fertilizer go bad? Does it have a shelf life? Can you use a product that has been sitting in the shed for five years? Follow that link to find out!

Are banana skins good for plants?

Banana skins are AMAZING for plants. They contain traces of macro and micronutrients that are essential for plant growth.

If you’re composting, you definitely want to include them as part of a balanced formula!

How can I make my grass green without a fertilizer?

It’s a great question, as not everyone wants to purchase fertilizers, or has the time and means to make their own.

Learn how to properly dethatch, mow, aerate, water, and overseed your lawn, and you will be well on the way to a beautiful patch of grass – even without the use of fertilizers.

And you can follow those links for expert advice on each discipline. They’re almost like Olympic events!

However, fertilizers make a BIG difference, so do consider using an organic formula at the very least.

Summary

As lawn care costs can easily mount up, creating your own DIY lawn fertilizers is a budget-friendly, practical solution.

Plus, you can tailor-make each batch to your own requirements, depending on what your lawn needs.

Let us know your best lawn fertilizer recipes in the comments, or if you’ve had any luck with any of the examples listed here.

Stay safe out there, and happy gardening!

Most homeowners do nothing more than cut the grass when it gets too high, but for others, it’s a dedicated mission to achieve a beautiful patch of green space to be proud of.

And it’s just as challenging as it is rewarding.

Of the many steps required, choosing between all the types of lawn fertilizers can be a daunting prospect.

In this article, we help to sort through all the fertilizer products available, so you know exactly what to use on your lawn.

Plus, there’s some extra advice on how and when to apply it, as well as plenty of general tips and tricks for boosting lawn health.

What Type of Fertilizer to Use? Too Long, Didn’t Read

Let’s get right to the point – for anyone who doesn’t have time to skim through the whole article.

Lawn fertilizers aren’t as confusing as you might think, and can be divided into the following general types:

Then, they can be subdivided into these types:

They might also be described as :

Finally, they can include a pre- / post-emergent weed killer as part of a weed and feed-type product, or they can be a dedicated lawn fertilizer on their own.

That’s it, in a nutshell, but there’s a lot more to it than that – including an explanation of the nutrients contained within each fertilizer, when to use it, how much to put down, and the dangers of overuse.

And, of course, how to choose the right one in the first place!

For all this and more, stay with us, and read on!

Do You Need Lawn Fertilizer?

It’s a great question – surely your lawn grass can grow on its own, so why do you need fertilizer in the first place?

Technically, you don’t. You can just let nature do its thing, and you’ll have an average patch of grass in your yard that does its job of looking like an average patch of grass.

But if you want to wow your guests and the BBQ, then you need to take action.

Last year, when overseeding, I applied fertilizer on my front lawn, and nothing on the lawn at the back – as a simple experiment.

My rear lawn was its regular, old, average self, and my front lawn was thick, carpet-like, and a vibrant shade of green.

And it’s not hard to see why.

While the soil provides some nutrients that growing grass requires – it’s not able to provide everything a lawn needs to really be the best it can be.

This is especially true during the growing season, and/or when you’re planting new seed.

New grass in particular needs as much help as possible to germinate, and grow into a lush, healthy lawn, as it takes a lot of energy to do so.

That’s where the right choice of lawn fertilizer comes in. You don’t need it, but boy is it going to make a visibly noticeable difference.

And that’s not to mention the benefits a lawn fertilizer can give you for keeping pests, weeds, and disease away.

Types of Fertilizer for Grass

When shopping for lawn fertilizer, you might be overwhelmed at the sheer number of products vying for your cold hard cash, and it can be intimidating if you’re totally new to lawn care.

How to know what fertilizer to use on your lawn?

We can start by breaking down the different types, which we can do like this:

Lawn fertilizer is available in either granular or liquid form. Below, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of the two and how they are applied.

From there, a fertilizer will either be an organic or synthetic product.

Organic Fertilizers

As the name suggests, is an all-natural fertilizer that is designed to break down in the soil and release nutrients to aid plant health and growth. Follow this link for some top organic gardening tips.

It usually consists of things like seaweed, blood meal, manure, fish bones and scales, and compost. They can help boost micronutrients in the soil, although they do have a lower “NPK” rating.

Keep reading for a full explanation of the NPK numbers.

It’s a good idea if you have access to a compost bin, and you can follow that link to find some excellent tumblers. You’re literally throwing money away if you’re not composting!

Synthetic Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers are man-made products designed to give your garden the best possible chance at health. They’re water-soluble, fast-acting, and used when you need to see more rapid results.

These fertilizers contain inorganic compounds and by-products, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and potassium sulfate.

A plant actually needs a total of 17 nutrients to thrive – not just the “NPK” that are more prominent in synthetic fertilizers.

This article on synthetic vs organic fertilizers has more information, but both certainly have their place when it comes to lawn care.

In general, however, I would choose a synthetic fertilizer for fast results, and an organic option for a long-term, slow-release feed and sustenance.

NPK Numbers Explained

You might have noticed a set of three numbers somewhere on the lawn fertilizer packaging, with (or often without) the abbreviation NPK.

Here we come to the dreaded sciency-bit. But fear not, for we here to bust the jargon, as checking a fertilizer’s nutrient content is an important part in the selection process.

For example, if the packaging or specifications read 10-20-10, then you have a fertilizer with 10% nitrogen, 20% phosphate, and 10% potassium.

The rest of the fertilizer will be made up of filler (which is why these numbers don’t add up to 100%).

Simple, right?

Of these, nitrogen is the most important, essential to the development and health of plants (and just about anything that lives). It helps build proteins and DNA in living organisms.

Plants that are starved of nitrogen will be visibly affected, and show signs of stunted growth, yellow/brown leaves, and appear to be withered and dry.

It could be one of the reasons your grass is discolored, and this article on fixing yellow grass might be able to help.

Phosphorus is considered second only to nitrogen when it comes to plant health, and it helps to promote photosynthesis – the plant’s ability to use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

This, in turn, affects how a plant stores and uses energy. Without it, a plant will be weak, brittle, and show signs of discoloration – similar to blue/purple/red bruising.

Fruit, seeds, and flowers will also be deficient.

Finally, potassium is important in the general movement of nutrients, water, and carbohydrates through the organism.

It helps the plant to grow, resist drought, combat pests and disease, and provide a healthy yield of fruits and vegetables where relevant.

In a lawn, potash (as it’s often known) encourages deep roots and healthy green stems.

A potassium-deficient plant will show curled, yellow leaves, roots will not be strong and extensive, and yields will be low and of poor quality. The plant will be more vulnerable to pests and disease.

So, now you know what each mineral element does, how do you know how much of each your grass actually needs?

Different regions have different lawns. And different lawns require different amounts of nutrients – depending on what is and what isn’t already present in your soil.

To keep things simple, here’s a rough guide to choosing the right balance of lawn fertilizer nutrients:

For a damaged or stressed lawn – look for a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen and potassium, which can help give the grass the boost it needs to get stronger.

For a healthy existing lawn – a nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer is the way to go, easing off on the P and K numbers.

For starting a new lawn – this is where phosphorus and potassiumnitrogen come into their own, in order to establish a strong root system. Keep the nitrogenpotassium to a minimum until the new life has had a chance to settle in.

And this article on when to fertilize new grass for the best possible results should help you if you’re taking the first steps in your quest for a backyard putting green.

However, if you’re genuinely serious about choosing the right type of fertilizer for your lawn, you can’t rely on a general, catch-all guide.

You might be able to ask a neighbor, do some research on the internet, or even make an educated guess.

But a dedicated soil test is the only way to be 100% sure.

Soil Testing and Grass Type

Oh, how we wish we’d paid more attention in biology class! But before you start freaking about conducting science experiments in your backyard, let us put your minds at ease.

Soil testing is as easy as purchasing a soil testing kit, and following the simple instructions – depending on the type of kit you’ve selected.

When the results are in – which can be in minutes or a few days – depending on the type of test you use – you will have a better understanding of what your soil already has, and what it lacks.

You can then choose an appropriate fertilizer that can redress any imbalance. Furthermore, if you also intend on growing fruit or vegetables in your garden, then a soil test is essential to use in your plots.

As well as testing the soil, you should also pay attention to the type of grass you have in your yard – and identify if you have warm or cool-season grasses.

Warm-season grasses, such as St Augustine, Bermuda, and centipede, will need more treatment than cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and rye.

How and When Lawn Fertilizers Are Applied

Liquid fertilizers are dispensed by either using a tank or backpack sprayer, or, more commonly for large areas, hooking a spray bottle up to a garden hose. Try using a hose cart with wheels to make things easier.

Granular fertilizers will be distributed using a walk-behind broadcast spreader – or by hand. Just make sure for both practices you’re wearing a pair of good-quality gardening gloves.

Alternatively, if you have the means (and the lawn size) a granular fertilizer is best dispensed from one of these awesome tow-behind spreaders.

Granular fertilizers are more suitable for greater control over your lawn-care schedule, as they offer residual time-release formulas that prevent nutrients from washing away.

For a more detailed article on the liquid vs granular fertilizer debate, follow that link.

But when should lawn fertilizer be applied?

When it comes to lawns, it depends on the type of grass you have, and where you are on your current lawn care schedule.

The fall and spring are the best times, when the grass is growing, and you’ve already cut it a few times. This article on lawn care after winter, and this one on fall lawn care will tell you more.

Go here for more general information on how often you need to fertilize your garden, and this article offers a complete, month-by-month guide to lawn care.

But before we move on, here’s a pro-tip – when it comes to choosing season-specific lawn fertilizer – give them all a miss and save money.

Simply choose one, good-quality fertilizer that’s right for your type of soil and grass, and use it throughout each fertilizing season.

Remember, the vast majority of these “sensational” new lawn-care products are just clever marketing ploys. You don’t need a “fall” fertilizer, any more than you need a “spring” one.

However, I would choose a starter fertilizer if you’re specifically trying to establish new grass.

Over Fertilizing a Lawn

With all these nutrients packed into a lawn fertilizer, can’t you just dump bag after bag on your lawn for the best grass in the universe?

Unfortunately, no. When it comes to this type of product, you can have too much of a good thing.

Excess lawn fertilizer can “burn,” your grass. That’s to say, it won’t set it alight, but it will seriously raise the nitrogen and salt levels, which will turn your grass yellow and/or brown, eventually killing it off completely.

As such, it’s important you stick to the distribution guide of the particular fertilizer you’re using, and you resist the temptation to apply too much “feed” in the hope that more is going to mean more.

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments are not strictly classed as fertilizers, as they are designed to improve the quality of the soil itself, and not directly boost nutrient levels to the plant.

Otherwise known as soil conditioners, they help with the physical properties of the soil, and improve its overall fertility for plant life to grow.

This includes improved water and nutrient retention, permeability (which makes it easy to break down), and drainage.

Weed and Feed Fertilizers – Yes or No?

Finally, we should take a look at one of the most popular types of lawn fertilizer on the market – the hybrid weed and feeds, often manufactured by familiar household names.

These products are designed to stimulate grass growth and lay down either a pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide at the same time. It is an extremely convenient two-birds-one-stone option.

But are they actually any good?

Yes and no is the short answer.

Some gardeners swear by them, as they’re supposed to save time and money.

Check out this article on if fertilizer actually kills weeds, or if you need to find another method with a better chance of success.

Alternatively, if you do have a weed problem, you might like to try to tackle weeds in your lawn without the use of chemicals, and you can follow that link for tips on how to do so.

FAQs

Does fertilizer go bad?

It’s a great question. You’ve spent a small fortune on lawn fertilizers, and for one reason or another, you’ve got a stack of it left. Can you use it again next season?

This article on fertilizer shelf life will tell you everything you need to know.

What tools do I need for lawn care?

Glad you asked! Aside from lawn-care products like fertilizers, if you’re going to strive for a beautiful lawn, you need to have a well-stocked tool shed.

This article offers an essential lawn-care tool guide for all the gear and equipment you need – as well as the stuff you don’t. Head on over to find out if you’re missing something crucial.

What is the best fertilizer for lawns?

If you’re still having a bit of trouble making the choice, watch the in-depth video below:

Summary

Now you understand the different types of lawn fertilizers, you should be in a better position to choose the one that is right for your garden.

Let us know in the comments which option you’ve gone for, or if you have any lawn fertilizing stories and experiences you’d like to share with other lawn-loving green thumbs.

Stay safe out there, and we wish you the very best of luck with your lawn!

Weed and feed, lawn starters, lawn food, turf builders, lawn boosters, organic feeds, super-duper-grow-tastic-all-lawn-can-eat-buffets…

And that’s just the fertilizers!

Which pretty much answers the question in the title of this article.

Lawn food vs fertilizer – what’s the difference?

There isn’t any.

But rather than make this the shortest article ever, I’m still going to include some useful information on  the relationship lawns have with fertilizers – and why you should be adding them to your yard.

Lawn Food vs Fertilizer – The Short Version

Is lawn food the same as fertilizer?

Yes.

That is, if we’re talking about products that are designed to stimulate the growth of your lawn, keep weeds at bay, and help prevent pests and disease.

Plants (including the grass in your lawn) actually make their own food – so it’s a bit of a misnomer anyway. Keep reading for more on this process.

So, why all the confusion? Let’s find out.

Lawn Food or Fertilizer?

Simply put, there is no difference between commercially available plant food and fertilizer – it’s just a clever marketing strategy by some companies, and it’s not actually “food” at all.

Here’s a description of both, in a nutshell:

Fertilizers are products that are designed to boost the nutrient levels in the soil, so grasses, vegetables, and other plants can draw what they need to grow into healthy, bountiful organisms.

Plant/Lawn food is just the name that some garden-care companies give to their fertilizer products.

However, actual plant food is something completely different – and you’ll find more on this topic coming up.

Simple, right?

Now that’s all cleared up, I can start telling you some really useful stuff.

Here’s a great article on all the different types of lawn fertilizer available, so you can figure out the exact product that your lawn needs – depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

And the advice at this link will tell you when you need to fertilize your garden in general – and how often.

Plant Food vs Lawn Food vs Flower Food

Just so there’s no confusion – the same description can be applied to commercially available “plant food.”

Like lawn food, it’s a fertilizer product that contains ingredients to help boost a plant’s growth, which might be tailored to a specific plant – depending on the product.

Here we can mention stereotypical lawn food from Scotts, for example, and plant food from Miracle-Gro.

Both of which, of course, are actually just fertilizers!

But those sachets of flower food you get when you buy a bunch of blooms are a little different.

They’re designed to help keep cut flowers fresh for longer, and generally contain three surprising ingredients – citric acid, sugar, and bleach.

Yes, you read that correctly!

In fact, it’s actually very easy to make your own cut flower food, with one teaspoon of sugar, one teaspoon of bleach, two teaspoons of lemon juice, and a quart of lukewarm water.

Do that the next time you buy flowers for your partner (or for yourself), and the flower food sachet is missing.

And speaking of doing things yourself, why not check out this article on DIY lawn fertilizers – which will tell you all you need to know to produce your own, money-saving batch of “lawn food!”

Real Lawn Food

Now we’ve dispelled the myths of lawn foods (as in – it’s not actually food at all), let’s take a look at where plants and grass actually get their real food from.

And then, if you keep reading, how fertilizers fit into this process.

How much did you pay attention in biology class?

This doesn’t need to be overly complex – and so here’s a quick refresher:

The key word (that most of us will remember) is photosynthesis.

In order to complete this fascinating process, plants need chlorophyll – the pigment that gives all plants their green color.

And in order to produce a healthy amount of chlorophyll (among other things), our green friends need at least 17 mineral nutrients drawn from the world around them.

That’s plant nutrition in its most basic, basic form.

Super basic.

These nutrients can be divided into macro and micro varieties, which I’ve organized into a helpful table, below:

Consider each nutrient a building block for an organism to be a healthy, well-adjusted, grounded, contributing member of plant society.

Remove one, and over time you will notice the effects, depending on the nutrient, the plant, the conditions, and how much it has been deprived.

And while each nutrient has its own part to play, the most important of these, are the three macronutrients at the top of the left-hand column.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – the “big three.”

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that their chemical symbols – N, P, and K, correspond to those numbers on the front/back of bags of fertilizer.

This tells you the percentage of each nutrient contained within that particular product. And we basically use such fertilizers to ensure optimum conditions so that a plant can create genuine “plant food.”

This leads us nicely onto our next chapter, but if you’d like to take a more detailed dive into how plants make their food, you can check out the highly educational video below:

How Fertilizers Work

There are many benefits to fertilizing your lawn and garden, including promoting vibrant colors, strong root systems, bountiful yields, and keeping weeds, pests, and disease under control.

But how do they actually work?

It helps to think of them as a sort of multivitamin for plants.

I take an effervescent vitamin supplement every morning, for example, to boost my immune system. Adding fertilizer/lawn food to the desirable plants in my garden is a similar practice.

The “Big Three”

Synthetic fertilizers contain a combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The latter is often abbreviated to “potash.”

Nitrogen is used to promote healthy green leaves – boosting the production of chlorophyll, and is essential for growth.

Phosphorus promotes a strong and healthy root system, as well as helping to produce blooms, fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Potassium is required for stress tolerance, and to help keep disease and pests at bay. Think of it as a general supplement for overall plant health.

Top-tip – you can easily remember the benefits of the “big three” using this simple trick. Nitrogen helps plants grow up, phosphorus helps them grow down, and potassium helps them all around.

Organic fertilizers are more useful for providing the micronutrients that plants need – something that synthetic fertilizers aren’t particularly useful for.

And while small amounts of macro and micronutrients are all found naturally in the soil and air around grass and plants, think of fertilizers as a helping leg up.

But how do you what the soil needs in the first place? What’s the best ratio of NPK numbers to use?

That’s quite straightforward, as you can conduct a simple soil test, which will tell you exactly where your soil has a deficit, and could do with some help.

I highly recommend doing this before you start throwing anything down, as what works for my soil might not work for yours – particularly when living in different parts of the country/world.

Don’t just head to the local big-box store and pick up the first “lawn food” you find. Make sure you’re getting the ratios right, and your lawn will benefit as a result.

Fertilizer/Lawn Food Fillers

You might be wondering what else is in these fertilizers, considering the percentage amounts of the NPK numbers don’t add up to 100.

The rest of the product contains “fillers,” which are inactive ingredients that are used to dilute the nutrients.

They’re not there to make up the numbers – fillers help prevent nutrients from “burning” the plant life, as you can have too much of a good thing.

For more information, you can check out the video below, which explains how fertilizers help plants grow.

And before we finish up with some frequently asked questions, here’s an article you don’t want to miss: Our complete, month-by-month lawn care calendar.

It has everything you need to know and do throughout the year for the best chance of a beautiful lawn – so don’t miss it!

FAQs

Should I use liquid or granular fertilizer?

Easily one of the most common questions we get asked here at YardThyme – which is better – granular or liquid fertilizer?

It really depends on a number of factors, but a rule-of-thumb I like to remember is to use liquid for fast results, and granular for a slow-release formula.

Of course, it’s not always that black and white, and you can follow the link above for a full, in-depth article on the subject.

Does Fertilizer kill weeds?

It depends on the type of fertilizer – but to keep things simple, most fertilizers are designed to feed all plants – which includes undesirables like the six most common weeds you find in your lawn.

If you’re using a weed and feed product, however, it might be able to control weed growth with the inclusion of a pre-emergent herbicide mixed in with the fertilizer.

This article on fertilizers and weeds will tell you everything you need to know.

Should I use lawn food?

Yes. Next question.

Joking aside, you don’t need to use lawn food. Our lawns will be fine without – they just won’t ever reach their full potential without a bit of help.

But next time you’re driving around your neighborhood in the summer, make a note when you see a lush, thick, carpet of grass with a vibrant, deep green hue.

That’s the work of a fertilizer – among other lawn care practices.

If you’re serious about lawn care, then you need to be using a good quality fertilizer at least twice a year. And make sure you’ve got all these essential lawn care tools in your shed while you’re at it.

However, all that said, if you’re set against using any such formulas on your lawn, you can go the organic route.

Start a kitchen compost bin, with a compost tumbler outside – and you can create a super-charged topdressing that will benefit anything green in your garden.

Does fertilizer kill worms?

Earthworms are the gardener’s friend, and using lawn foods/fertilizer should be a concern for every gardener when it comes to protecting helpful species.

But fear not, for they should be fine with an application of most fertilizers – but you can check this article on worms and fertilizers for more info.

Does fertilizer go bad?

It’s a great question – as many gardeners have products sitting on the shelves in their sheds for several seasons.

And you can go here to find out if those fertilizers have a shelf life, including how long they last, when you should be using them, and if you can salvage that product that’s been stashed for X years.

Summary

I hope this article has cleared up any confusion about lawn food vs fertilizer, as they are actually one and the same thing!

It’s easy when you know, right?!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and/or if you have any fertilizing tips, tricks, and advice you’d like to share with your fellow green thumbs.

Stay safe out there, and happy gardening!

And it can be a real challenge figuring out which is going to be the most effective.

So, let’s get back to basics.

In this feature, we’re taking a look at the merits of liquid lawn fertilizer vs granular, and which one is the right choice for you and your turf.

Because it can really make a difference, depending on a number of key factors.

Read on to find out more.

Liquid or Granular Fertilizer for Lawns – Quick Read

As always, I like to not beat around the bush and give you a straight answer for anyone in a bit of a rush. There are lawns that need caring for after all.

In short, when it comes to liquid fertilizer or granular for lawns, it will come down to your personal preferences, budget, and – of course – lawn needs.

In a nutshell – liquid fertilizer is easier to apply, faster acting, mixes well, and offers more accurate coverage. Granular fertilizer is much cheaper in bulk, easier to store, and generally won’t need second or third applications through the season.

Of course, it’s much more complicated than that, and if you really want to get to the bottom of the granular fertilizer vs liquid fertilizer for lawns debate, I suggest you stay tuned as there are many different lawn fertilizers to choose from.

Soil Testing

First thing’s first – before you start throwing anything down on your lawn, liquid, granular or otherwise, it’s a good idea to find out what it actually needs.

Not only will this help you choose the type of fertilizer it requires, but it can seriously narrow down the choice of products too.

So, pick yourself up a decent soil testing kit – which has multiple uses around the garden for keeping plants alive – and you can better understand what’s going on in the earth around your home.

Every lawn is different – and even your neighbor’s soil might vary from your own. If you know the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) requirements of your lawn, it’s half the battle.

Understand the needs of your lawn, and then you can adjust your choice of product accordingly, without leaving so much to chance.

And while you’re at it, take a look at this article on the best lawn care tools to get you started on your quest for a beautiful lawn.

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is basically a bunch of lawn-boosting nutrients together in a concentrated liquid form. Just add water to get things going.

A fine example is this Lawn Energizer product from Simple Lawn Solutions. One gallon of this stuff can cover up to 12,000 square feet, and it’s suitable for all grass types, all year round.

It’s also available in a 32 ounce hose sprayer bottle if you prefer that method of application.

Liquid Lawn is also another popular and effective example of a quality liquid fertilizer, with a balanced N-P-K content and added iron.

Pros of Liquid Fertilizer

Cons of Liquid Fertilizer

Granular Fertilizer

As the name suggests, granular fertilizer is a solid lawn feed that comes in dry pellets, and is usually applied with a broadcast spreader.

When it comes to lawn fertilizer in general, it’s hard to overlook Scotts products, and this Turf Builder is one of their most popular and successful offerings.

Suitable for any grass type, it helps thicken your existing lawn in order for it to crowd out unsightly weeds. Goodness knows I could do with that about now – my front lawn has been hit with a dandelion infestation.

I digress, the Turf Builder is kid and pet friendly, can be applied at any time of year, and lasts for up to six weeks – so you should have a nice, healthy lawn all through BBQ season.

Pros of Granular Fertilizer

Cons of Granular Fertilizer

Application

Certainly the most obvious difference between the two lawn fertilizer options is in the way that they’re applied.

Liquid fertilizer is applied with the use of a hose attachment that allows water directly from your outdoor spigot to mix with the product.

This is easy and accessible for most homeowners who will already have some kind of hose setup ready to go. The downside is, those hose bottles can run out quickly.

Alternatively, it can be applied using one of the many tank sprayer options that are out there, including this backpack tank sprayer which is ideal for anyone with larger yards and gardens.

Granular fertilizer can be applied by hand, or – as is more common – by using one of these now iconic seed spreading devices (link to scotts.com).

It can also be applied by using a tow-behind broadcast spreader if you have a lot of area to cover and have a lawn tractor.

In both cases, make sure your lawn has had a good watering before application – that way you know it’s going to accept the fertilizer, and it will help it get down to the root system.

Read this article on how to water your lawn like a pro for some more expert advice.

After you apply granular fertilizer, you’ll need to water the area in order to “activate” it. Don’t leave granular pellets on your lawn too long – particularly in hot weather.

Pro-tip for fertilizer coverage – start at the edges and work your way into the center – that way you’re not missing anything, you know exactly where you’ve been, and you can limit the amount of wasted product in unwanted areas.

When to Apply Lawn Fertilizer

Regardless of the type of fertilizer you end up going with, you need to know when it is the opportune moment to apply it.

The professionals suggest a good rule of thumb is to put down a fertilizer around the same time as you do your first mow of the season.

When the grass is ready to kick off and grow like crazy – that the perfect time to give it an extra health boost.

Late spring is also ideal, as your lawn is going to need all the help it can get to negotiate the heat and stress of the summer months. Feeding through summer will also keep it in tip-top condition.

And an application in the fall will help your stressed-out turf recover from the heat, and is particularly good when combined with overseeding to help repair any bare patches and keep it healthy through the winter.

Remember though – it might all depend on the type of grass you have, as warm season grasses will required a different process to cool season.

Either way, applying a lawn fertilizer is best after aerating your lawn – which will greatly help the product get down to the roots and get to work.

Try this review for the best lawn aerators on the market, and go here if you want a complete guide to lawn aeration for more info on this important lawn-care process.

Over Fertilizing

They say that too much of a good thing is bad – and that’s certainly the case when it comes to lawn fertilizers.

Whether you’re using liquid or granules, overdoing it can lead to serious damage, much more so than not fertilizing at all.

Look out for trouble spots such as yellowing grass, bald patches, wilting blades, or any kind of discoloration.

Of course, you might just need to dethatch the lawn, so take a look at this full guide to lawn dethatching if you think that might be the problem. This article should also be able to help you fix yellowing grass.

Either way, don’t go overboard with the fertilizer, as too much can prevent the grass from getting water, air, and sunlight, and eventually start to choke out your turf.

Why Not Use Both?

For anyone really dedicated to the health of their lawns, there is absolutely no reason you can’t use both liquid and granular fertilizers. With a few caveats.

First – don’t overdo it. Although I’ve mentioned that already, it should be noted that if you’re using both types you shouldn’t use the maximum amount of each during any one application.

Try 50% granular and 50% liquid for best results.

Of course, this will give you a lot more work to do – not to mention the added expense – but nobody said achieving the most perfect lawn in the neighborhood was going to be easy.

A Word About Children and Pets

A question that’s often asked is which lawn fertilizer is safest for pets and children? Is it granular or liquid products?

Truth be told, there’s no real way of testing this out, suffice to say both treatments will be pet and child safe providing the application and storage instructions are adhered to.

If using a liquid fertilizer, wait until it has dried completely before allowing kids and furry things to play in the yard.

For granules, it’s good practice to allow the pellets to break down a little first – although this isn’t really necessary.

Your pouch might get a bit of an upset tum, but large quantities would need to be eaten to cause major concern.

Again, just make sure you’re following the instructions – for both types – and make sure you keep both kids and pets inside during application.

Use a bit of common sense. That way you’re not freaking out if you see your four-legged-friend (or child) licking and/or eating the grass.

FAQs

Which is better liquid or granular lawn fertilizer?

It’s a close call, and it really does depend on your own circumstances, but if push comes to shove, and you have to choose one, I would say go with liquid.

You’ll have more control, a better distribution, and it will get down where it’s needed much faster. Being absorbed through the leaves and the soil is a real winner for your plant life.

What is the best type of lawn fertilizer?

I would say liquid – but granular does have its place. Again, it might just come down to your own personal preference.

Still, if you don’t believe me, I highly recommend watching the video below for more information, which has some extra advice on both types of lawn fertilizer, as well as application tips and tricks.

Is liquid lawn fertilizer better?

Yes, although as mentioned, there’s still a place in this world for granular fertilizer. Your choice will likely depend on a number of factors depending on your circumstances – and the needs of your lawn.

Should I mow the grass before fertilizing my lawn?

Yes, it’s a good idea to give your lawn a trim before applying any kind of lawn fertilizer – although it doesn’t need to be scalped, unless you’re dethatching, aerating and overseeding for the first time.

you should make sure you’re using the right tool for the job, so check out this article on the different types of lawnmowers, and head on over to read this piece for the best lawnmowing tips to help you get started.

And always make sure your lawnmower blade is sharp.

Why is liquid fertilizer better?

In general, liquid lawn fertilizer is regarded as being better than granular because it gets right down into the root system fast, has a better coverage, and is simply a more versatile solution.

Nutrients in liquid fertilizer are absorbed both into the soil and into the leaves of the plant, or – in this case – the blades of the grass.

And the same amount of nutrients are found in each drop of liquid, whereas with granular products they might differ from pellet to pellet.

Can I use liquid and granular fertilizer on my lawn?

Yes! There’s no reason why you can’t use both – just make sure you don’t overdo it and get your timing right.

Immediately after it’s rained is a good time to apply liquid fertilizer, and just before it rains is best for granular. Although the ground should already be a moist for best results for both.

Use a mixture of half-and-half and you should reap the rewards with the extra work you’ll be putting in.

Is lawn fertilizer safe for pets?

Your furry friend would need to ingest a lot of fertilizer in order for it to be a real issue, so there really isn’t anything to worry about unless you’re storing the stuff improperly.

That said, you should always wait for liquid fertilizer to dry and granular fertilizer to break down a little before allowing Fido to sniff about – just to be on the safe side.

And remember – lawn fertilizer is not the same as weed killer, even if it comes in the same form and is applied in similar ways.

Check out this article on the best pet safe weed killers on the market if that is something which concerns you.

Summary

The liquid lawn fertilizer vs granular debate rages on, but there’s a clear winner when all’s said and done, and the liquid variants take the crown.

That said, granular fertilizer is not obsolete, and in some cases might even be better depending on individual needs.

Let me know your experiences with lawn fertilizer in the comments – and which version you prefer and why.

Happy fertilizing!

We are going to try – in the broadest possible strokes – to take the sting out of this endeavor so that you can proceed knowing that you’re following acknowledged best practices.

First of all, let’s dispel the notion that there is a choice to be made. It’s not a question of compost or topsoil. Both are necessary.

How and when to use and combine them, are the decisions that need to be made.

Laying the Foundation for the Best Possible Outcome

To start out with, take a good, long look at the patch of ground you’re planning to transform.

Where are the holes or areas where the ground has subsided or where it is particularly uneven? These are the spots you want to level off with topsoil.

Now turn your attention to the weeds. Where are they growing? Where are they not growing?

It’s safe to assume that the soil is fine in the places where the weeds are thickest. The spots where hardly anything is growing, that’s where you want to spread compost.

But now it’s time for some soil analysis:

The Benefits of Getting Your Hands Dirty

You don’t need a Ph.D. in agronomy to analyze your soil. Your eyes are all the diagnostic aids you need.

Two basic tests will determine your soil type. They are the Squash Test and the Jar Test. They are very straightforward and take hardly any time at all:

The Squash Test (a Quick Test!)

Dig a small round hole six inches wide and six inches deep. Take a big handful of soil from the bottom of this hole and squeeze it into a ball. Now open your hand.

A soil analysis video using the Squash Method comes to us courtesy of the Central West Local Land Services in Australia.

Now for the fun part…

The Jar Test

Remove any stones and vegetable matter from the soil you dug up and place the soil in a glass jar. Fill it up most of the way with water, screw on the lid, and shake it hard for a good couple of minutes until all the soil particles are floating in suspension with nothing resting on the bottom. Now let the jar stand for three or four days. (The longer the jar stands, the more accurate your results!)

When you come back, the soil will have settled to the bottom, with one important difference: now it’s organized into three distinct layers, each with its own texture and color.

The bottom layer is sand, the heaviest. The middle layer is silt. The top layer is clay, the lightest.

Measuring the Jar

Now, by measuring the thickness of each layer, you can calculate what percentage it is of the overall sample.

If the overall sample is four inches deep and the sand layer is one and a half inches thick then one and a half times one hundred divided by four is equal to thirty-seven point five percent.

If the top, clay layer is two inches thick then two times one hundred divided by four is equal to fifty percent.

You don’t even have to measure the silt layer: one hundred minus fifty minus thirty-seven point five is equal to twenty-two point five percent.

So now you know that your soil is half clay with a big chunk of sand and some silt making up the difference.

If there is a layer of organic matter floating on top of the water, this could be peat: a possible indicator of acidity. If there is a thin layer of white crystals at the very bottom, this could be chalk: a possible indicator of alkalinity.

A video, ‘How To Determine Soil Type Using The Jar Test Method’ is good to check out.

More About Soil

There! That was fun, wasn’t it? :) A bit like the science projects we used to do in junior school.

If that has piqued your interest and you’d like to learn about soil testing in greater depth, you might want to visit ‘10 Easy Soil Tests – How to Test Your Garden Soil” from the good people over at Good Housekeeping. It can be found here.

There is also a video about the different soil types produced by the folks at the Royal Horticultural Society:

Now that you know your soil type, you might want to start thinking about which variety of grass you want to grow. See ‘Types of Grass Seed: How to Choose the Right One’.

If you live in a drought-prone region with hot, dry summers, combining strains of drought-resistant grass can ensure you have a green lawn without having to use excessive amounts of water.

Soil Types

Make no mistake!

Understanding soil types saves you money and gives better results!

Clay Soils

Clay soils are heavy and compact. They retain more water than other soil types and don’t drain well, so they’re inclined to become waterlogged. On the upside, their density means they’re better at retaining nutrients.

The more clay there is in your soil, the more compost it needs. Leaf compost is best. It contains high levels of humus, the organic material formed from decayed plant and animal matter. Leaf compost is also exceptionally absorbent. It retains water well, a Godsend in Summer when clay soils tend to become super-dry!

Another advantage to leaf compost is its ability to reverse compaction when soil becomes so dense that it inhibits root growth and development.

Sandy Soils

Predominantly sandy soils require a bit more than just compost. The regular application of a slow-release, granular fertilizer is called for since sandy soils are an epic fail when it comes to retaining nutrients.

For a detailed breakdown of lawn fertilizers, follow that link.

A thin layer of mulch – light organic material like chopped leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, and shredded bark – can help with water loss by reducing evaporation.

Silt Soils

Silt soils are a mixture of sand and clay. They are the most conducive to plant growth. It’s both dry and soft, which means that as well as retaining both moisture and nutrients, it has good airflow, allowing oxygen to more readily reach the roots!

Its pH value (acid versus alkali) is nutrient- and earthworm-friendly!

Last but not least, its calcium levels tend to be higher than that of other soil types. Calcium (in case you didn’t know) maintains the balance of soil chemicals, breaks up compacted soil, and reduces the salt content!

Buying the Right Topsoil

By now you will have realized that there are different kinds of topsoil just as there are different kinds of compost.

When laying a new lawn, general-purpose topsoil is best.

General-purpose topsoil comes in different grades, from coarse to fine. The finer grades are used more for top dressing. Coarser grades are cheaper and fine for lawns, but they shouldn’t be completely ungraded. Too much debris can cause root rot.

It’s worthwhile bearing in mind at this point that the sale of topsoil isn’t regulated. There is no industry standard. It’s a case of caveat emptor – let the buyer beware! In other words, it’s up to you to ensure the quality of the product you’re about to purchase!

The best way of doing this is by taking a close look at it and by touching it to feel its texture.

Quality topsoil is a mixture of compost, organic matter, sand, and clay. It’s relatively clean in that there aren’t too many stones and twigs, and the overall amount of debris is minimal.

High-quality topsoil should crumble easily and feel slightly gritty. The loose texture is a sign that it’s rich in organic matter.

Topsoil: How Not to Get Ripped Off!

If you live in the suburbs, chances are topsoil and compost comes in bags, not in their raw state. How then to evaluate it, when you can’t even see it, let alone touch it?

Simple! Buy one (and only one) of the smallest bags on offer. Once it’s yours, you can do with it what you will.

This applies to compost as well as topsoil.

By the way, store-bought topsoil tends to fall into three categories: premium, general-purpose, and economy.

Premium is the most expensive. In return, you get a nutrient-rich, weed-free mix with a good, loamy structure ideally suited to growing flowers. Best practice from an economy point-of-view? Stick to general-purpose?

Buying the Right Compost

In their Organic Lawn Care Guide, North Carolina State University lists the advantages of compost over topsoil as follows:

Compost: How Not to Get Ripped Off!

The compost should contain controlled ingredients free of persistent herbicides that create killer compost.

For the sake of the environment, it should be peat-free.

It should be dark like chocolate cake mix, with a smooth consistency, and feel great in your hands.

Again, if you don’t have access to the raw product, buy one small bag and examine that first.

Compost Versus Fertilizer

Fertilizer is great in a pinch or when you need to give your lawn an extra boost. Unfortunately, it does nothing for the structure of the soil. It won’t break up compacted ground, assist drainage, or improve aeration.

Last but Not Least

Visit Yardthyme’s ‘Ultimate Lawn Care Calendar’ for a step-by-step year-round guide to lawn care.

FAQ

Can I mix compost and topsoil together?

For those reasons, it’s best to use compost mixed with topsoil to create an optimal and sustainable environment for your plants, and then add in fertilizer should you need it.

This could be to amend specific nutrient deficiencies or to give veggies a boost during their growing season, for instance.

Is compost cheaper than topsoil?

No. Compost is more expensive.

Can you add too much compost to the soil?

Yes. Compost tends to dry out faster than topsoil. In any mix, topsoil should predominate.

Can compost burn your lawn?

Yes. More than an inch or two is too much! Anything in excess becomes toxic.

How much compost do I add to my lawn?

After the lawn has been planted, the most effective method for applying compost is to mix it with water and sprinkle it on the grass with a watering can.

Can you use compost and fertilizer together?

Yes, this is fine.

How long does compost last in soil?

As long as it takes to be fully absorbed into the ground, depending on the type of soil.

Research Pays Off!

A little bit of homework goes a long way! Educate yourself before committing to a long-term strategy and you can’t go wrong.

Your comments, feedback, general remarks, and criticism are roundly welcomed and eagerly anticipated! If you have anything you’d wish to add, that you feel we left out, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Two-in-one shampoos,  Swiss army knives,  mop slippers, hats with headphones, sporks, bottle openers in just about everything…

The problem is, they can be hit or miss when it actually comes down to how useful or practical they are.

The same can be said for fertilizers that also contain herbicides.

Does fertilizer kill weeds? Yes and no – is the answer.

In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of using weed and feed combos, or if you should just stick to a dedicated product for each job.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Will Fertilizer Kill Weeds? The Quick Version

Time, as they say, is money. And in the interests of saving you both, here’s a brief summary of this article for anyone in a rush.

Fertilizers are designed to stimulate plant growth, so anything green can enjoy a health boost, develop stronger roots, lush, vibrant leaves, and – if applicable, bear a quality yield of fruits/vegetables.

And that includes weeds. As such, most fertilizers will not prevent weeds from growing – but rather do the opposite.

A fertilizer that kills weeds doesn’t exist, but rather incorporates a weed-killing formula with the food.

I am, of course, talking about the many popular weed and feed products that claim to help desirable plants, simultaneously preventing or killing the unwanted stuff.

But do they actually work? Stay with us, as we take a look in more detail.

Weed and Feed Products – What Are They?

Sometime in the late winter/early spring, you’ll see them appear in big box stores and garden centers.

Shelf after shelf overflowing with products claiming to feed your flowers/lawn – and kill or prevent weeds at the same time.

Companies like Scotts, Spectracide, BioAdvance, Miracle Gro, and Preen are some of the most popular – and they offer several variations of the same thing – enough to make your head spin.

Or rather, let one bird live and “take care” of the other.

Most of them will contain synthetic plant fertilizers, AND a pre-emergent, selective, residual herbicide – depending on the type of product.

This means that it’s designed to prevent new weeds from growing, without harming existing or future desirable plant life, and that it works by remaining in the soil for an extended period of time.

Pre-emergent weed and feed products work by forming a barrier after being activated by water. This barrier stops undesirables from poking through.

As such, weed and feeds are typically applied in the spring, before the main growing season has begun.

However, products are available with selective post-emergent herbicides (with feed) that eliminate weeds that have started to show above ground later in the year.

At the same time, weed and feeds contain a plant food that typically offers a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium – at various percentages relative to each individual product.

The option you choose will depend on many factors – but most importantly the type of soil and grass you have in your region.

This article on the different types of lawn fertilizers will tell you more, and go here for a full guide on the different types of weed killer if you need to brush up on your herbicide jargon.

Weed and Feed Advantages

It’s not rocket science here –  the main plus point for using weed and feeds is the time and effort they’re going to save you from laying down two separate products.

And we all like things that make life easier, right?

But does lawn fertilizer kill weeds? Are they going to actually do the job we purchase them for?

Read on to find out.

Do Weed and Feeds Products Work?

Used correctly, weed and feeds can be beneficial to some homeowners and might show less than impressive results to others.

Either way, if you’re starting a new flower bed, or trying to give your lawn a boost, it might be worth trying a weed and feed early in the season.

It can be very effective at controlling broadleaf weeds, for example, before they’ve had a chance to rear their unwanted heads.

This piece on tackling dandelions in your lawn might also give you some species-specific tips for dealing with those pesky plants.

However, for weeds like crabgrass, you need to choose something more specific. Alternatively, you can check out this article on how to deal with crabgrass naturally.

Regardless of the weeds you’re looking to prevent/control, there’s no doubt a weed and feed is going to give your lawn a quick boost at the start of the season – from the fertilizer point of view.

But therein lies the problem.

Weed and feeds are generally designed to achieve fast results, but they can fail to get to the “root” of the issue. Turfgrasses, for example, need long-term help to see them through the season.

Not just a quick fix at the beginning of it.

Ask any wife/girlfriend/lover/professional hairdresser which is better – a two-in-one shampoo/conditioner, or a dedicated bottle of each?

I’ll bet my bottom dollar it’s the latter. Heck, if I tried to convince my wife otherwise, I’d probably be murdered.

As such, I highly recommend choosing a separate product for each requirement in your garden, treating as and when necessary throughout the year, and not just relying on a brief health boost in the spring.

And then choose/try a weed-control method that you think would work best for your particular needs.

But that being said, by all means, try a weed and feed at the start of the season, and there are some top tips coming up for how best to do so.

Weed and Feed Tips – How to Get the Best Out of the Combo

If you’d prefer to go down the weed and feed route, I’ve included a few extra tips and tricks for getting the most out of your two-in-one product.

• Get the timing right - apply the product around the same time that your lawn needs its first cut of the season. The last week of March is a rough guide to shoot for.
• Ensure good coverage - one of the reasons weed and feeds fail is that not enough or too much product is laid down. Use a broadcast spreader or one of these tow-behind spreaders for larger areas.
• Remember to “activate” the product by watering it in - but not so much as to wash it away.
• Don’t overfeed - a second application isn’t going to help control weeds you’ve missed, and will damage the area. Either use a post-emergent weed killer correctly or wait until fall.
• Always follow the instructions for the latter.
• Manage your expectations - make sure the product you choose is designed to kill/control the weeds you have, or will potentially have if left untreated.

Finally, be patient. Remember that weeding and feeding is a cyclical, long-term process, and achieving your dream lawn can take several seasons.

Should I Fertilize or Kill Weeds First?

When you’re putting together your lawn-care/garden maintenance schedule, it’s important to get treatments in the right order.

And if you’d rather use two separate methods for killing weeds and boosting your lawn health, then you should always be weeding BEFORE feeding.

Remember, a good plant fertilizer is going to nourish anything green - which includes weeds and undesirable vegetation.

It stands to reason that you need to remove or kill what you don’t want before feeding whatever remains. So be smart about choosing the right option from the different types of weed killers available.

How to Fertilize Your Lawn and Kill Weeds

A dedicated lawn fertilizer won’t kill or prevent weeds on its own, but it can be a very powerful weapon in keeping them at bay - with the right technique.

The more healthy grass your lawn has, the less likely you’ll see a weed infestation - as the soil won’t be big enough for the both of ‘em.

Use grass fertilizer to create healthy, strong roots, promote thick growth, and the grass will crowd out other plant life. Your lawn will become a hostile place for weeds - and they should stay away.

Thus winning the turf vs weed war.

But should you use a liquid or a granular fertilizer for your lawn? Thank link will tell you everything you need to know.

And there are alternatives to using chemicals or other liquids/granules on your lawn.

Another excellent method for weed control in your lawn is to aerate it. Lawn aeration is an often-overlooked practice that is an essential part of the care schedule for the very best lawns.

It can help with surface drainage, and boost nutrients to the grassroots - which in turn will strengthen the plant and increase its chances of choking out undesirables.

This article on the top seven benefits of aerating your lawn will tell you more and go here to explore the best aerators if you’re already convinced, and you want to get started.

When NOT to Apply Weed and Feed

As well as offering advice on when and how to apply weed killers and fertilizers, it’s also worth noting when you should NOT apply them.

As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be doing either more than twice a season. Unless, of course, you’re spot treating weeds with a post-emergent herbicide (follow that link for some good options).

Even then, you need to wait at least two months between applications - or risk overloading the area with chemicals, and causing environmental damage.

And with fertilizer, you can have too much of a good thing, and end up “burning” your desirable plants.

This article on how often to apply fertilizer will tell you everything you need to know, so you don’t end up overfeeding your garden.

FAQs

Can you apply weed killer and fertilizer at the same time?

That’s a great question - and it depends on the product. Some products can be used at the same time, such as some synthetic lawn weed killers and dedicated, slow-release organic fertilizers.

But as a rule of thumb, you should always try to separate the application of products that are designed for different purposes.

You’re not going to miss out on much by waiting a week after dispensing a herbicide before applying your fertilizer.

For more info, watch the informative video, below.

Does fertilizer go bad?

Gardeners are always concerned about the shelf life of different products, in order to understand if they should apply them in a timely fashion, or if they can sit in the shed for a couple of seasons.

But does fertilizer go bad? Follow that link to find out.

How do I get rid of my lawn full of weeds?

It can be pretty heartbreaking, seeing what could be a lush lawn overtaken by undesirable growth.

Thankfully, there are many methods, techniques, and products you can use to reclaim your grass.

You can also head over to this article on the best lawn care tools for equipment to help you with the process.

But one of the best methods for weed control in lawns is to practice overseeding. Follow that link to learn how.

How long does it take for fertilizer to kill weeds?

So long as you’re using a weed and feed fertilizer (fertilizer on its own is going to help weeds as much as any plant), you should see results within a week.

However, it depends heavily on the product used, the type of weed, the extent of the infestation, the conditions, and other factors.

You might not see total eradication for several weeks, and/or after several applications. And in some cases, the product might not work at all.

Trial and error, my friends, trial and error.

Summary

Does fertilizer kill weeds?

Yes and no - it can be useful at certain times during your garden-maintenance calendar - providing you’re using a weed and feed combination. But fertilizer on its own is going to feed anything green.

If you really want to kill weeds and feed lawns - you need a dedicated product/method for each.

Let us know your thoughts on the subject. Have you had success with a two-in-one formula? Which method works best for you? Reach out in the comments, below.

In the meantime, stay safe out there - and happy weeding and feeding!