What is liquid lawn fertilizer?
When most people think about fertilizer, the most common image to come to mind is manure, particularly partially processed cow manure. Therefore, one might mistakenly think that liquid grass (or turf) fertilizer is liquefied manure, which brings to mind revolting imagery, such as a brigade of diarrheal dogs marching in a half-squat across your lawn.
Organic liquid fertilizer is not so off the mark, in regards to the revolting imagery previously described, as it is derived from both plant and animal sources and smells much as you might expect. Another drawback to organic liquid fertilizer is that you won’t achieve fast results as you would with a chemical fertilizer. However, organic liquid fertilizers are much better for the environment and the soil and tend to last longer. As with anything with “organic” on its label, expect to pay more for organic liquid fertilizer, not that the chemical version is cheap.
Liquid fertilizers cost considerably more than dry fertilizers; in addition, they must be applied more often. On the other hand, your lawn will receive even coverage with less possibility of chemical burns, the application is easy (provided you have a hose; if not, you’re out of luck) and the positive effects are much faster than with dry fertilizers. In addition, dry fertilizers come in large, heavy bags that are awkward to handle, while liquid turf fertilizers come in a small spray bottle that attaches to the end of your hose.
Whether organic or chemical—or dry for that matter—the most important nutrients found in fertilizers are nitrogen (this gives grass its deep color and makes it sturdy, dense and thick; it also helps to repel harmful insects), potassium (toughens the roots and foliage, making your lawn more drought resistant) and phosphorus (encourages root growth).
Liquid lime turf fertilizers are alkaline, which is important if your soil is acidic, and are charged with high doses of magnesium to compliment the naturally high levels of calcium, as lime is nearly pure calcium carbonate. The magnesium is essential for photosynthesis (the plants’ conversion of sunlight into growth energy) and the calcium regulates the opening and closing of stomata (the microscopic pores on the surface of plants), removes toxins from the tissue and contributes to the development of shoots and roots. Magnesium and calcium are also found in other liquid lawn fertilizers, though often in smaller amounts than that found in liquid lime.
Try to keep up to date on weather reports and fertilize your lawn when you aren’t expecting rain for at least a day.
