How to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn

Every lawn requires its own unique blend of nutrients to thrive. This fact is reflected by the many varieties of fertilizer on the market. If you want healthy grass, it’s important that you choose the type of fertilizer best suited to your particular lawn.

Understanding fertilizer labels
The key information on a unit of fertilizer is contained in a chain of three numbers se­parated by dashes. These numbers, often referred to as an NPK ratio, typically appear on the front packaging.

Fertilizer numbers indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium the fertilizer contains — in that order! These are the main nutrients your lawn needs and they perform different functions.

Nitrogen promotes plant growth and makes your grass greener; phosphorus promotes root growth and potassium builds strong cells within the plant tissue.

Selecting your fertilizer
The fertilizer you add to your lawn should supplement what’s lacking in the soil. For instance, if your soil lacks nitrogen, has ample phosphorus and almost enough potassium, you might choose a fertilizer marked 34-0-4.

To find out what nutrients your lawn needs, pick up an inexpensive soil test kit at a garden center. If you want a more detailed evaluation, get a lawn care professional to perform one.