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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Franklin Neave | Posted under Landscaping Gardening
What Is The Best Fertilizer For The Lawn?
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Sure there is no question that some fertilizers are definitely better than others but there is one key that's even more important that which fertilizer and that is proper regular fertilization. When you properly fertilizer your lawn you get a healthy green lawn and it also ensure that groundwater doesn't become contaminated. When you fertilizer correctly the amount of nitrate in the ground water will actually go down because the roots utilize the nutrients effectively and there is far less leaching. That stronger root system also means your lawn will be more resistant to drought. There are a many different brands of fertilizer to choose from. But let's start by understanding what all those numbers on the bag actually mean. That will help you choose the correct fertilizer for your lawn condition. On any bag of fertilizer you will find three numbers which refer to the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus [P205], and potassium [K20] in the fertilizer. So a 100 pound bag that reads 30-5-10 would contain 30% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The rest of the ingredients in the bag are basically fillers and have no nutritional value. Nitrogen is what greens up your lawn and if not properly applied it can also contaminate the ground water. Positively charged ammonium nitrogen [NH4] can attach to the soil particles and remain in the soil oxidizing to the nitrate form quickly. Another form of nitrate doesn't move through the soil quickly. It is Water Insoluble Nitrogen or WIN and the bag will indicate what percentage of the nitrogen is this type. This form stays in the plant root much longer. Every lawns need for nitrogen varies. A new lawn will require more nitrogen than an established lawn. A damaged lawn will require more than a lawn that just requires a little TLC. New lawns benefit a great deal from a fertilizer that is high in phosphates because it helps the seeds germinate and it gives the roots a really good start. Potash is a source of potassium and it plays an important role in strengthening the plants and forming carbohydrates. It hardly contributes to ground water pollution however if there are erosion issues it will move with the soil particles. A good idea before you start is to test your soil. It will provide you with the information to make the right fertilizer choice. It will give you recommendations for the right nitrogen levels as well as phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. In fact you should test your soil every 5 years. Once you determine exactly what it is your lawn needs and you fertilize it according to the package instructions you will see your grass begin to transform right before your very eyes. The best fertilizer for your lawn is the one that's going to make your grass the greenest on the block. No longer does the grass have to be greener on the other side. Now your neighbors can be envious of what you have. About The Author: Franklin Neave work in fertilizer producing industry for last 10 years. He has recently developed interest in writing and have expressed his experience on his website at http://www.fertilizerworld.com about different types of fertilizer and their benefits. |
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