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Have you ever really wondered about fertilizers and which ones to use?
This blog is to inform you on the three fertilizers we carry at FELDMANS Farm & Home.
We carry three brands of fertilizers, Scotts, Gordons, and T & N.
From Scotts we handle 3 levels of fertilizer. They are Lawn Pro, Super Turf Builder, and the Scotts Best 4 Step Program. The products mentioned above are in order from good, better, and best.
From T & N we stock 13-13-13, which is used to give your grass a quick green up. 46-0-0 is most commonly used in the Spring but is recommended for use during the winter to give your grass nitrogen before needed.
Now, there are three important ingredients in each bag of fertilizer. Before I explain, I will give you an example to relate to. Scotts Lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer has a combination of 26-0-3. The first number '26' represents the parts of nitrogen contained in the fertilizer. Nitrogen does for grass the same that caffeine does for us!! WAKE UP!! Nitrogen gives the grass a quick boost of energy. It will help to green up the grass and increase the growth rate. Too much nitrogen applied to a new seed can cause the seed to "burn out" before it is properly germinated and rooted. Much like if you give caffeine to an infant. WHAAA! An infants body is not going to handle the extreme boost of energy and it could cause adverse side effects. Also, during the hot dry summer months, inadequate amounts of water can cause nitrogen burn and hurt your yard.
Scotts uses a patented technology called 'the All-In-One Particle', where they combine all ingredients of the fertilizer into 1 granular. In addition, the granular is not water-soluble and will only break down when in contact with the soil. This allows the fertilizer to last longer and adequately feed the yard for 6-8 weeks. It also reduces the chance for nitrogen burn. Think of it as a "time release" fertilizer. This characteristic is unique to Scotts and nothing as effective will be found in any other brand of fertilizer.
The second number in the Lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer is '0'. This is phosphorus which is important for root establishment. Strong roots are important for all grass. A strong root system will help grass to survive heat, drought and cold winters. Phosphorus is vital when planting new grass seed. Most phosphorus numbers in fertilizers are low, with the exception being starter fertilizers. Scotts starter fertilizer has a phosphorus number of '27'.
The final number in the lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer is '3' This is potassium or potash. The potassium or potash helps to strengthen the blade of the grass against drought, fungus and insects. It does not treat fungus or insects, but helps the plant from being defeated when attacked by insects or fungus, or during a drought. It does for grass the same that vitamins do for us. Vitamins will not treat a sickness, but they will help to keep you from getting sick and make it easier for you to fight a sickness.
The differences between Scotts good, better, and best fertilizers are the levels of fertilizer in each product, mainly nitrogen. Nitrogen gives the grass its greening and growing power. With higher levels of nitrogen and the all-in-one particle, you will receive a better feeding for your yard with a time release characteristic.
All 3 families of fertilizers that we carry are unique to the independent retailer. This means that the exact same products will not be found in Home Depot, Lowes, or Wal-Mart. The box stores will stock Scotts Turf Builder line only. This product is similar to our Super Turf Builder line, except the Super Turf Builder is higher in nitrogen and thus a fertilizer that will provide a better feeding and better yet is the Step Program. Those other stores may have a good price, but the quality is NOT the same! Same situation with our Lawn Pro Series which is lower in nitrogen and will usually retail for less than what the box stores are offering.
Now, as for the types of Scotts we offer, we have crabgrass preventer plus fertilizer, weed and feed, early summer fertilizer, and late summer/fall fertilizer. These products are applied in a four-step process with the first step being the crabgrass preventer plus fertilizer. Crabgrass Preventer plus fertilizer is a product that is applied in early Spring BEFORE the crabgrass germinates. This product will NOT kill actively growing crabgrass. This product can be applied to wet or dry grass and does not need to be watered in. You still have time to apply this product, but we are nearing the end of the application window.
The second step, which can be applied as soon as early Spring and as late as Fall, but is usually applied mid-late Spring, is Weed and Feed. This product is a fertilizer plus a broadleaf weed KILLER (not preventer.) This product will NOT kill actively growing crabgrass, as crabgrass is not a broadleaf weed. It is most commonly used to kill dandelions. This product should be applied to wet or damp grass, as the weed killer needs to stick to the weeds. Do NOT water this product or apply if it is expected to rain. The weed-killing ingredient used with this product is 2-4, D, which is the mot commonly used broad leaf weed killer.
The third step is an early summer fertilizer. The third step USED should be a fertilizer plus insecticide, but Scotts found that most homeowners preferred to apply their own insecticide, so they reformulated this product to be an early summer fertilizer only.
All of the Scotts fertilizers we carry are available in 5,000 sq ft or 15,000 sq ft bags (14,000 sq ft in starter fertilizer)
We also carry Gordon's liquid fertilizer in 3 varieties. 10-10-10 all purpose fertilizer, 15-0-0 Weed and Feed, and 20-0-0 all nitrogen fertilizer. All of these products come in a 2 1/2 gallon container and when mixed and used as recommended, they will cover 15,000 sq ft. 13-13-13, 46-0-0, and liquid Gordons fertilizer are excellent product to use unless you are looking for a long term time release fertilizer, then you will need Scotts.
Just come in and ask should you have any questions. We will help you become the expert so you will have the best looking lawn on the block. Just think.....wouldn't it feel great to have the neighbors asking you how YOU did it?
