1. The Analysis: N-P-K Ratio

N = Nitrogen: Nitrogen promotes top growth and a health green color. (Excessive nitrogen in the humid summer can promote disease)

P=Phosphorus: Phosphorus promotes good root development and growth. (Most important when starting new seed)

K=Potassium: Potassium promotes a better vascular system for strong stems and transfer of nutrients as well as stress resistance and cold hardiness.

2. Primary Micro Nutrients:

Iron is required for chlorophyll synthesis to keep a green lawn (Can reduce amount of needed nitrogen)

Sulfur to help neutralize alkaline soil & helps prevent some types of fungus (Can reduce amount of needed nitrogen)

3. Nitrogen release rates:

There are three basic forms of nitrogen in fertilizer:

Ammoniacal (Fast release high burn potential) highly soluble  Low cost 

Urea (Fast release - moderate-high burn potential) Highly soluble Low Cost

Sulfur-Coated or Poly-coated Urea (Slow-release very-low burn potential) WIN or water insoluble Higher cost

A balanced fertilizer is always a better choice.
 
4. Percent and Amount of ingredients:

Many fertilizers claim to cover 5000sq.ft. some have 15# some have 18# and others have 20#

Check out the percent of N-P-K and other nutrients versus the weight of the bag of fertilizer.

 Most chain stores and supply houses offer Ag grade products that appear to be cheap but the truth is in the numbersWhy is high sulfur good?

This acid source helps neutralize the alkaline soil to make the natural soil elements more available for plant uptake.

Studies & tests indicate it helps prevent some fungus types.

Why is high iron good?

1. Available iron (ferrous sulfate) eliminates or substantially reduces iron chlorosis (yellowing).

2. Produces rich, lush deep green color.

Why is pH important?

1. Imbalance (either Alkaline or Acid) ties up many natural soil elements making them unavailable for plant uptake.

2. A little variation in soil pH accelerates alkalinity or acid content rapidly. It is exponential in that 8.0 pH is 10 times, 9.0 pH is 100 times & 10.0 pH is 1,000 times more alkaline than neutral 7.0.

What pH is most suitable for good grass (lawns)?

1. From 6.5 to 7.0 (slightly acid).

*What areas of the U.S. are considered neutral to highly alkaline?

1. Central & Western US including Minnesota, Iowa, Northeast Kansas & all most states west of the Missouri River.          

More Usable Nutrients -- Add all nutrient percentages together listed in the guaranteed analysis (example: 19+4+2+16+12 = 53% of contents usable) and compare!