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Reading And Understanding Fertilizer Labels

Have you ever been puzzled by the items for sale in a gardening store? Have you seen 3 numbers on a fertilizer bag and had no idea what they mean? You may have the best intentions for lawn care, but except you know what fertilizer is and what fertilizer labels mean, you will be hopeless. Here is a guide to fertilizer labels so you aren't oblivious when you go shopping for lawn care tools.


Essentially, grass needs three main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Nitrogen is what will give your lawn its rich, green color. Phosphorous and potassium both work to fortify grass roots and thus the two work together to help your lawn ward off pests and disease. In other words, these last nutrients give your lawn a strong immune system! Plants are just like people – they need food to nourish them and by fertilizing your lawn, you are simply feeding it and giving it the energy it requires to thrive.


On a fertilizer package, you will see three numbers in big print. They all refer to the percentages of these aforementioned nutrients that are in the fertilizer. The first number is the percentage of nitrogen, the second number is the percentage of phosphorous, and finally, the third number is the percentage of potassium. Usually, the percentage of nitrogen will be the highest. And in fact, the best fertilizers are slow-release ones that contain at least one-fourth nitrogen. However, for a starter fertilizer, in which you want to promote growth of your lawn, you'll want a fertilizer with lots of phosphorous.


If you turn your gaze to the side label, you will find other ingredients in the fertilizer, like iron or calcium. Water soluble fertilizer must be dissolved in water before it's used.


Once you've examined the package and read all the fine print, ask an employee at the gardening store for a recommendation about your choice fertilizer. You are now more equipped to pick out the top fertilizer; and your lawn will thank you for it.


Stephen Blades loves seeing people build great lawns and loves to teach them how to do it. Click to Mower FAQ and Fertilizer Help - 2 of his lawn care sites - for more Mower Articles and Fertilizer Articles.


Source: www.ezinearticles.com