Types of Lawn Fertilizer: Understanding Synthetic, Organic, Liquid & Granular Products

You’re a homeowner in Memphis and North Mississippi who cares about your lawn and the positive impact it can make on your property value and curb appeal.

You know lawn fertilization is a part of keeping your lawn nourished and healthy, so it reflects that desirable appearance you’re after.

But understanding the different types of lawn fertilizer can be challenging. There’s new research out often about the science of lawn care, and it can be tough to understand what is the best and latest research and where you can get solid, reliable information.

And since the type of lawn fertilizer you use can make a big difference in the results you receive, naturally you want to trust you’re doing the best thing for your grass.

Let’s talk about the differences between synthetic and organic lawn fertilizer as well as the goals of liquid lawn fertilizer and granular lawn fertilizer so you can be more well-educated on this subject when caring for your lawn.

Fertilizer 101

As we dive into the different types of lawn fertilizer, it’s helpful to understand what fertilizer is at its core first.

Fertilizer contains three main ingredients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium – each having a specific job for lawn growth.

Nitrogen is what makes your lawn green, phosphorus encourages root growth, and potassium assists in feeding your lawn nutrients over time to promote health and add strength.

Each type of fertilizer has a different percentage of each of these nutrients, and the nutrients are activated when the soil absorbs them and breaks them down.

Why do lawns need fertilization? Your lawn needs water, sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients to grow. But your soil can’t always provide your grass with what it needs. This is because it can be depleted of nutrients.

In fact, just the act of building your home and digging up the soil can strip the soil of nutrients. Fertilization helps provide your lawn with what your soil is lacking so it can grow healthy and strong and become resistant to weed and disease infestations, as well stand up to regular traffic and drought stress.

You might think all you need to do is just put fertilizer down and it works its magic. But it’s not that simple. Fertilizer not only has to be applied correctly and in the right ratio, but your soil also needs to have the ability to break down those nutrients so your grass can take them in and use them.

Synthetic Vs. Organic Lawn Fertilizer

Now let’s talk about the difference between synthetic vs. organic lawn fertilizer.

All fertilizers have a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; synthetic fertilizers derive them from chemicals, while organic fertilizers derive them from natural things like manure.

Synthetic lawn fertilizers are formulated in a laboratory by scientists that study lawn science, so they are made to work well. They have specific nutrient ratios. They also tend to have more readily available nutrients that are fast acting and are more affordable. However, synthetic products don’t address soil health and if used incorrectly they can not be as effective.

Organic lawn fertilizers are slower release products, so it’s harder to make mistakes with them, and they can also enhance soil health. Because of this nature they can take longer to make a visible difference in your lawn. They also cost more money.

Between the two choices, there isn’t really a bad option. Both products have their pros and cons.

At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we use synthetic products because they work quickly and keep costs down for our customers. But we also focus on rejuvenating and revitalizing your soil for a 360 approach.

Granular Lawn Fertilizer vs. Liquid Lawn Fertilizer

Fertilizer also comes in two methods of delivery: granular and liquid.

Granular lawn fertilizer is a slow-release form of fertilizer that tends to go down easier for a more consistent application. Granular fertilizers need to be watered in to activate them.

Liquid lawn fertilizer is water soluble and has some slow-release properties, they can hold on and stick to plant material so they can be more quickly absorbed. But they need 30 minutes of drying time before becoming rainfast.

At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we use both forms for the best results for our clients based on their lawn needs. We make decisions based on customer expectations and how we can achieve optimum results.

Choose a Lawn Care Company That Cares About You in Memphis, TN and North MS

You likely don’t want to spend all of your time thinking about the differences between types of fertilizers. You have enough to worry about with work and family responsibilities.

You might even realize after reading this that lawn fertilization is a bit more complicated than you thought.

Instead of trying a do-it-yourself approach, you might want to try hiring a professional lawn care company. Your goal would be to choose a company that cares about you and your needs versus just using the cheapest product to get the job done.

That’s what we feel makes us different. We know you want a great-looking lawn, but we know you may also have questions about product type and method of application.

By choosing a company that cares, you can have the peace of mind knowing your lawn is in good hands.

Want to improve your lawn’s health and create a thicker, greener lawn in Memphis, TN and North MS? Lawn & Pest Solutions can help. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a lawn care program that gives you the most attractive lawn on the block.