Fertilizer 101
Fertilizer Basics and the ‘Why’ behind lawn fertilization!
Every season. Every soil type. Every situation. We have your fertilizer questions and needs covered!
Why Fertilize?
Annoying pests … unpredictable weather conditions … soil inconsistency ... all factors that can affect the health of your lawn. Your number one defense in the challenge of keeping your lawn in great shape is fertilizer. You invest a lot of time and money into your lawn, and that’s why it’s crucial to fertilize to help keep it fresh and healthy.
Fertilizers provide the essential nutrients that your lawn needs to grow strong and healthy. Using lawn fertilizers helps to promote thick, green growth, aids in disease resistance as well as helps to prevent the growth of weeds. A well-fed lawn has deeper, stronger roots and is less likely to be damaged by pests, diseases and weeds.
Let’s talk numbers. Every fertilizer product has an analysis which is indicated by three hyphenated numbers. These numbers represent the percentage of N – P – K or nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, in the blend. These are the main nutrients that lawns need to grow healthy.
What do the numbers mean? N – P – K = Up – Down – All Around.
Nitrogen (N) – Works above the ground. Boosts growth and promotes green colour.
Phosphorous (P) – Works below the ground. Feeds seedlings and stimulates new root growth. Aids in seed establishment.
Potassium (K) – Overall plant health and vigour (like calcium to the human body). Adds strength and builds cell walls. Helps with drought and cold tolerance. Strengthens resistance to disease and stress.
Advantages to Fertilizing Your Lawn
Overall Growth & Appearance
Over time, soil can lose the nutrients it needs to survive. Your lawn is busy absorbing those nutrients. You may have some areas that are more sparse than others that are robust and healthy. This is mostly due to lack of nutrients. Using a fertilizer will help replenish nutrients to ensure better health, colour, and more even growth.
Reduction of Weeds
Feeding your lawn with fertilizers can help prevent the growth of weeds. Encouraging the seed establishment and new growth will improve grass density and help your lawn out-compete weeds. Well-nourished plants have deep, strong roots and are less likely to be affected by weeds.
Improved Resistance to Diseases
Water, sunlight and nutrients are essential to keep your lawn healthy. Fertilizers are the key to your lawn thriving. No different than people, if your lawn is getting the nutrients it needs, it will be better protected from diseases and build increased tolerance to stress. .
Pest Resistance
A well fertilized lawn is healthier and therefore, more resistant to damage from pests. As above, fertilization helps your lawn become more dense, lush, and healthy, which makes it difficult for pests and insects to get established. Following a regular fertilization schedule can help with a quick recovery.
SS Supreme Fertilizer Line-Up
We’ve got what your lawn craves! For every situation, look to our SS Supreme Fertilizers.
SS Supreme Turf Starter 10-25-10 – Fertilizer for new seedings and to promote root establishment.
SS Supreme Spring Green Up 18-3-6 25% SR – Kick-start and green up your lawn after the winter season.
SS Supreme Summer Stress Relief 25-5-10 65% SR – Prepare your lawn for the heat and stress of summer.
SS Supreme Fall Booster 32-0-6 30% SR – Boost your lawn in the fall for a healthier lawn in the spring.
SS Supreme All Season 20-0-5 25% SR – An all-season approach to a healthier lawn with no added phosphorous.
SS Supreme Bare Repair 6-3-1 – A quality all-purpose compost & seed combination to feed and seed your lawn back to health.
Check back next week for Fertilizer - Frequently Asked Questions!
Comments