What type of fertilizer should be used on lawns?
This may be rotary spreader the most difficult question to answer without a soil sample. In the absence of a soil sample, it is best to use a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Examples of fertilizers with these ratios are 12-4-8 and 16-4-8. These numbers tell you the percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and always in that order (sometimes referred as N-P-K). A fertilizer which contains all three of these elements is referred to as a complete fertilizer. A 100 pound bag of 16-4-8 contains 16 pounds of nitrogen, 4 pounds of phosphorus and 8 pounds of potassium. The rest if filler and minor elements. Even though it may cost more, a fertilizer containing slow release nitrogen is more efficient and cost effective in our sandy soils. A fertilizer containing one percent iron (listed on the back of container) can result in a greener lawn.
