Prepare Your Lawn in Time With the Best Lawn Fertilizer (Top 8 Picks)

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Now is the time to take care of your lawn area and plants in the best way possible. When you are out in the garden, sipping on a cold beverage, the view means everything. To get the lush garden you always desired, you need to treat it the way it deserves.

This is where lawn fertilizers come to the rescue. They will help you achieve the garden look you dreamed about.

However, to get that lush look, you also need to find the best lawn fertilizer. Here is where we jump in and help you find the most suitable solution for your garden.

Take a look at the top 8 lawn fertilizers and find your favorite option.

Why do you need to use lawn fertilizers?

1. Thick grass

One of the best things about using lawn fertilizers is that they help your lawn’s grass be thicker. This is due to the many vitamins and minerals present inside the fertilizer.

In making your lawn’s grass thicker, you’re also making sure that it will be stronger and more durable.

2. Mud prevention

best lawn fertilizer

Another cool thing about using lawn fertilizers is that it makes your lawn not too muddy. This happens because fertilizers firm up the composition and texture of the soil.

Fertilizers are very good when it comes to removing any excess moisture.

3. Avoids pests

One of the best reasons why professional gardeners use lawn fertilizers is because these are very effective in driving away pests while they provide lawn fertilization.

Synthetic fertilizers don’t only enrich the soil and plants but also drive away pests because their chemical fertilizers components are now available in the market.

4. Avoids mold growth

Mold growth is another common reason that plagues lawns. This is the usual case in places that have a cold and rainy climate. Mold thrives in places like this.

If it happens that you’re living in a place like this, it’s highly recommended you use lawn fertilizers to stop mold infection.

5. Greener color

best lawn fertilizer spreader

Lawn fertilizers bring the best out of your lawn. It sees to it that it is in its best form, which is why your grass doesn’t only grow thicker, but also gets the grass green. This will surely make your lawn and your house, as a whole, more attractive.

6. Stronger

The other reason why it’s important for you to use fertilizers is that these make your grass more durable and stronger. This means that your lawn is less likely to die out due to drowning or disease infection.

These lawn fertilizers also allow heavier foot traffic.

The best lawn fertilizers available: My top 8 picks

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant Food – The best lawn fertilizer product, easy to use and provides quick results for the growing season, but may not be ideal for organic gardening

Espoma Organic Fall Fertilizer – The organic fertilizer is safe for the environment and promotes healthy root growth, but may not provide immediate visible results.

Scotts EZ Seed Fertilizer – The Scotts natural lawn food is a convenient all-in-one product that combines grass seed, fertilizer, and mulch, but can be expensive compared to other options.

Superior Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food Natural Liquid Fertilizer – Effective liquid fertilizer (natural fertilizer) for promoting green and healthy warm season grass with the slow release nitrogen, but can be messy to apply.

The Andersons Fertilizer – Provides balanced and essential plant nutrients for a healthy lawn during the growing season, but may not be as effective as specialized or higher-end grass fertilizers.

Easy Peasy Plants All-Natural Muriate of Potash Granules – Affordable and effective for improving soil quality, but may not be as well-known or widely available as some other brands.

Super Juice Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer – Provides a wide range of nutrients for a healthier lawn and root growth, but requires multiple applications and may not be suitable for all grass types.

Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food, Also Great for Sod and Grass Plugs – The turf builder lawn food promotes strong root development and rapid growth, but can be pricey and may not be necessary for all lawns.

#1. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant Food – Best pick

The Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food is suitable for any type of plant, whether you keep them indoors or outdoors. It is a dry grass fertilizer and is compatible with all grass types.

This is a nitrogen grass fertilizer with the addition of potassium and phosphorus. It ensures you have an admirable garden by increasing the growth of plants and flowers and also increase soil biological activity. It instantly delivers luxurious-looking, vibrant colors and healthier gardens.

Most of fertilizers are only recommended for specific seasonal use, but that is not the case with this one. You can use Miracle-Gro at any time of the day and year, no matter what and still get a greener lawn.

Due to its 5-lb package, it showed positive effects as a feed for trees, vegetables, or houseplants. All you should do is feed the plants every 1-2 weeks, and you will see astonishing results. The application is easy, and you can even attach the hose to the package and begin your work.

This Miracle-Gro lawn food delivers impressive growth and color increase with all types of plants and grass. Also, it is entirely safe to use around children and pets.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Slow release nitrogen fertilizer
  • Safe for children and pets
  • Helps promote a greener lawn
  • Contains all the crucial nutrients
Cons
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#2. Espoma Organic Fall Fertilizer – Runner up

The Espoma Organic Fall Fertilizer amazed us in many ways by being an organic fertilizer, eco-friendly fertilizer that enhances the loveliest features of your garden.

This product is made from sulfate of potash and feather meal poultry. The ingredients of this lawn feed increase the green color in the plats, lawn, shrubs, and it increases their growth of them at the same time.

One of the favorite features of this organic grass fertilizer is that it reduces the need for regular watering. The formula is made to optimize your lawn’s health and can provide 2.5 times more slow nitrogen than other fertilizers.

Also, it is a chemical-free product, safe for your kids and pets.

The formula can feed up to 5,000 square feet and will leave extra potash for the next year’s greening.

For all the customers that prefer an eco-friendly option as a lawn feed, this Espoma organic fertilizer is a perfect purchase for you.

Organic materials are the star of the show when it comes to this lawn food. They are present in 85% and are responsible for lawn nourishment and plant enhancement.

Also, since it is an eco-friendly variant, the organic fertilizer does not possess any synthetic fertilizers materials or components that may harm you and your lawn.

Pros
  • Enhances green color
  • Thicker grass growth
  • Reduces the watering
  • Eco-friendly
  • Can feed up to 5,000 square feet
Cons
  • Pricy

#3. Scotts EZ Seed Fertilizer – Best spot repair

Are you looking to get a lush lawn enriched with bright green grass with an affordable lawn fertilizer product? Then, Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair is the perfect fertilizer for you.

The Scotts natural lawn food fertilizer is designed to work favorably with sandy soils with the help of its high-performance seed. The package contains all the essential nutrients that help the seed work faster and more efficiently under any circumstance.

This unique combination of fertilizer, mulch, and seed is the ideal lawn treatment for anyone. It is designed to develop lush green grass and plants under any condition, whether that is the sun or dense shade. Whatever it is, the Scotts’ trio will deliver on the lavish-looking lawn.

You should prepare the lawn area by removing dead grass away. Then, cover the grass area evenly so that the grass is still visible. In this way, you are making sure that the soil properly absorbs the fertilizer.

Since it has three functions, we are going to pay attention to the fertilizing one. When it acts as a fertilizer, it has controlled release technology that slowly lets the nutrients do their work. As a result, it promotes growth and the healthy look of the lawn.

Pros
  • Three functions
  • Slow-release technology
  • Helps promote grass growth
  • Works in various conditions
Cons
  • Too much mulch

#4. Superior Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food Natural Liquid Fertilizer – Ultimate liquid fertilizer

The Superior Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food is a natural liquid fertilizer with a 15-0-15 fertilizer’s NPK ratio that is packed with nutrients for the benefit of your garden and grass area.

This liquid fertilizer is there to increase soil resistance throughout the seasons. The exchange of hot and cold weather can often have uncertain effects on your lawn. Therefore this fertilizer is phosphate-free. It makes sure that the soil resists any weather changes fully and prevents adverse effects from taking place.

What we love about it is that you can use this fertilizer on any type of soil, even sandy! Because it is entirely chemical-free, it is composed of active organic matter such as feed-grade urea and humic acids.

The well-balanced, healthy grass area is maintained with the help of critical nutrients that enhance growth and thickness. All the nutrients that are crucial for turf strength and a better-looking lawn are included in the SuperiorNitrogen & Potash Fertilizer.

If you decide on using this fertilizer, you need to frequently and adequately water the area to keep the nutrients active and make the absorption better.

Pros
  • Organic
  • Liquid form
  • Enhances grass growth, and helps promote greener grass
Cons
  • May develop dark spots in the grass

#5. The Andersons Fertilizer – Slow-release

For anyone who is looking for simple lawn food that is packed with nutrients but also has an excellent price range, then The Andersons Fertilizer is the perfect solution for you.

Anderson’s fertilizer is a complete solution that has a 16-4-8 fertilizer’s NPK ratio. The brand offers you to choose between 18 and 40-pound bags. The one that we are reviewing can cover up to 10,000 square feet of surface. There is no doubt you can cover medium to large-sized lawns with this package.

Since the fertilizer has fine particles, it means that you can use less amount of it and still cover the same sized area as you usually would with expensive fertilizers. It also guarantees even distribution across the lawn.

As for the ingredients, it contains a high percentage of nitrogen that enhances the growth of plants and the lush look of the grass.

Another feature that we appreciate is the slow-release formula. The formula makes sure you do not overuse the products and slowly releases all the nutrients that are beneficial for your lawn. For two months, you will have a calm mind, not worrying if you should reapply the fertilizer.

Pros
  • High nitrogen percentage
  • Helps promote greener grass
  • Suitable for warm season grasses and cool season grasses
  • Slow-release formula
Cons
  • Vague instructions

#6. Easy Peasy Plants All-Natural Muriate of Potash Granules – Best granule form

The Easy Peasy fertilizer comes to the rescue every time your lawn needs refreshment. It has a high concentration of all the essential nutrients and delivers impressive results.

The pack of this fertilizer contains potassium as the main active ingredient. Potassium is crucial if you want your garden to flourish with vibrant green color. It helps the plants to resist any harsh conditions, such as weather changes or insect attacks.

If you are a fanatic for plant care, you will find that most of fertilizers have a certain amount of potassium in them. That is because potassium increases the health of the plants as well as them having healthy, durable leaves.

Also, the application of the product is easy since it comes in granular fertilizer form, which is simple to spread evenly on the grass area. Muriate of Potash granules are fantastic for most plants and trees, and they help them synthesize the sugar for use as food.

We would recommend you use this Easy Peasy fertilizer in springtime since it showed the most high-grade results in that period. As you know, this is the season when insects are most attracted to plants. Therefore they act fast and stop them in time.

Pros
  • Natural source of potassium
  • Suitable for warm season grasses or cool season grasses
  • Incredible for plants
Cons
  • Pricy

#7. Super Juice Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer – Ideal for larger lawns

Be prepared to witness astonishing grass and plant results within two weeks. The Super Juice Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer contains everything you need to fertilize your lawn correctly.

This fertilizer is available in a 14-2-4 ratio, but you can also use it in half the measurement and still get amazing results. For everyone who has a large lawn area to cover, this fertilizer is the best option. When you use it in the full ratio, it can cover up to 43,560 square feet.

You will agree that this is amazing when you consider the price of the fertilizer. It is a great way to save up on some other gardening accessories and supplements.

The Super Juice fertilizer does not only contain NPK ratio, but it also contains traces of other essential nutrients that will make your lawn flourish.

The combination of magnesium, zinc, iron, and humic acid are just a couple of many nutrients that enrich this fertilizer. When all of this is combined, the results are expected in two weeks.

However, you do need to check the forecast and make sure that there is no chance of rain if you plan on using this fertilizer.

Pros
  • Combination of nutrients
  • Suitable for larger lawns
  • Suitable for warm season grasses
Cons
  • Should not be applied to a wet area

#8. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food, Also Great for Sod and Grass Plugs – Best lawn fertilizer for new grass

If you want to plant new grass, you might need to give Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food a try. This fertilizer covers over 5,000 sq ft, and it’s a perfect solution for grass feed to help new grass take root and grow.

The Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food is recommended for any grass type – whether you want to plant new grass, start a new lawn, or reseed an existing one.

The product can help you grow new 70% thicker grass, can improve seeding, and it’s great for grass plugs and sods. Here is when the Scotts Turf Builder jumps in and helps to fertilize your lawn.

After you cover the grass area, the fertilizer will work its magic on ensuring your plants grow thicker and grass healthier.

One of the best features of the fertilizer is that it can be used on all types of grass without worrying if it will damage the surface. Also, you can safely use the mixture around pets and children since it is entirely safe and harmless.

The slow-release formula works wonderfully under colder conditions; once the repair treatment takes place, you will definitely enjoy a lush garden in the springtime.

Pros
  • Impressive for new grass
  • Pet and children safe
  • Suitable for warm season grasses and cool season grasses
  • Works for all grass types
Cons
  • May end up burning new seedings

Buyer’s guide for best lawn feed to use

1. NPK ratio

Did you notice some numbers printed out on every single package of lawn fertilizer? Well, before buying the best fertilizer for grass, you need to understand those numbers first.

The number combo is known as the ‘NPK ratio.’ Usually, lawn fertilizer has three combinations of primary nutrients to them. N is for NitrogenP for Phosphate, and K for Potassium. The number combo, such as “20-5-10“, stands for the percentage of these nutrients in the fertilizers.

Nitrogen is there to give you lush green color faster. Phosphorus helps with boosting growth in flowers and plants, while potassium is most helpful to help plants and grass absorb nitrogen quicker and better.

Therefore, you should check what you are looking for in fertilizer and see the best lawn fertilizer ratio that works for you.

2. Types of lawn fertilizers

Now that you understand the NPK ratio and why it is essential, it’s time to choose the kind of best fertilizers for grass.

a. Organic lawn fertilizers

best lawn fertilizer program

Organic fertilizers are a favorite of many who do not want any synthetic fertilizers solutions mixed with their vegetables.

That being said, they are the safest to use around vegetable gardens plantations and are safe around children and pets. However, they take a bit longer to react and stimulate deep root growth than other lawn fertilizers.

But they are a great eco-friendly solution, and our favorite choice for the best organic lawn fertilizer is Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer.

b. Synthetic lawn fertilizer

Synthetic fertilizer is made out of various chemical fertilizers and reacts faster than organic fertilizers.

Also, they are much healthier for killing unwanted weeds in the garden, whereas organic fertilizers are better at fighting off insects. They contain the right amount of nutrients that are necessary for your lawn.

However, these fertilizers can be harmful to your garden in other ways, and they are not safe to use for children and pets.

c. Granular lawn fertilizer

Granular fertilizers are the easiest to spread across the lawn since you can see if you missed any sports.

Granular fertilizers can have a quick-release formula or slow-release formula. The quick-release method releases nitrogen right away upon application. This type of fertilizer is water-soluble and will last for about 2-4 weeks before reapplication.

d. Liquid lawn fertilizer

Liquid fertilizers are the fastest way to fertilize your lawn. Most of them can be incorporated into your daily watering routine, so you won’t waste your time doing these tasks separately. The application of them is also easy, simply spray the solution across the grass area and let it do its magic.

Plants and grass absorb liquid fertilizers quite fast, giving you a lush green color in a matter of days.

3. Quick-release vs. Slow-release formula

best lawn fertilizer amazon

We mentioned this a few sentences earlier when we talked about granular fertilizer for a healthy lawn. But here are a few other things you should know.

– Quick-release fertilizer formula tends to release nitrogen faster into the lawn soil, this promoting a healthy lawn and a lush green grass. The quick release fertilizer is inexpensive and work a lot faster than different methods. If you want quick, easy-to-get vibrant green grass, go with this formula. But you should know that they are prone to burning grass or even cause excessive growth in lawn sports you don’t want.

– The slow-release fertilizer formula releases nitrogen but slower since it is coated with a polymer. The absorption and reaction of the slow release fertilizers can take between 2-10 months, but once they work, they will provide an even growth of the grass.

FAQs

Can lawn fertilizer be used on plants?

Lawn fertilizer should not be used on plants unless the package specifically states that it is safe for use on both lawns and plants.

When to fertilize grass?

The best time of the year for lawn fertilization is in early spring. The temperature of the soil for the lawn fertilization should be about 55ºF, and you should know when it hits that degree because of the seasonal flowers such as lilacs. You can find above in the reviews our choices for the best spring fertilizer.

Or, if you want to be 100% sure that it’s the right time to use lawn fertilizers, buy a soil thermometer in order to do the soil test. With the thermostat, you are always accurate on whether you are treating your lawn right and accurately check the soil’s ph levels.

When should I apply 10 10 10 fertilizer to my lawn?

10-10-10 fertilizer can be applied to your lawn in the spring and fall, although it’s important to follow the instructions on the package and not over-fertilize.

the best liquid lawn fertilizer

Should you fertilize lawn before winter?

It’s generally recommended to fertilize your lawn before winter to help it withstand the cold weather and come back strong in the spring.

What are the best numbers for lawn fertilizer?

The best numbers for lawn fertilizer depend on the needs of your specific lawn, but a balanced ratio such as 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 is generally recommended.

What is the best fertilizer for lawns?

In our opinion, the best fertilizer for a lawn is Miracle-Gro Plant Food. What it does to plants and grass, it’s simply amazing. You should fertilize your garden with the best options, and with Miracle-Gro, you can never go wrong.

What is best fertilizer to thicken grass?

Fertilizers high in nitrogen, such as a 24-0-6 mix, are best for thickening grass.

Final words

We did our research and found our favorite product. It is the Miracle-Gro Plant Food.

Without a doubt, this is the best fertilizer for the lawn in spring use since it will deliver you with lush plants and vibrant colors in no time.

Choose the most suitable product for your garden and give it the proper treatment it deserves.

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Ben Bareja

Ben Bareja, the owner-founder-webmaster of CropsReview.com. This website was conceptualized primarily to serve as an e-library for reference purposes on the principles and practices in crop science, including basic botany. Read more here

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