To maintain a visually pleasing yard, it is important to use an appropriate fertilizer for your lawn. The correct balance of nutrients will result in thick, green grass. Would a 19-19-19 fertilizer be suitable for your lawn?
19-19-19 is an all-purpose garden fertilizer. Therefore, it is suitable for use on your lawn. It contains 19% of Nitrogen, 19% Phosphorous, and 19% Potassium. It derives its name from its components. However, lawns require more nitrogen to be and look healthy.
Nitrogen enhances the growth of the grass blade, Phosphorous helps the development of roots and Potassium makes the grass on your lawn disease resistant.
While 19-19-19 is a good fertilizer, it is not the best for your lawn. The best lawn fertilizer to use has a higher Nitrogen composition. Further, it has more Phosphorous than Nitrogen. It should also have little to no Potassium.
A higher Phosphorous content allows your grass to develop strong roots. Consequently, it grows faster and becomes healthier. Therefore, the grass on your lawn can remain healthier for longer.
Once the lawn is properly grown, it requires less Phosphorous and more Nitrogen. At this point, 19-19-19 is suitable to apply on your lawn.
How to apply 19-19-19 fertilizer
There are three methods you can use to apply the fertilizer.
1. Raking
Apply fertilizer at the base of your lawn. Next, mix the fertilizer with the soil using a rake. The method ensures that the fertilizer gets into the soil next to the roots of the plant or grass.
2. Spraying
Spraying fertilizer on plants is easy. Mix fertilizer with water in a backpack. The mixing ratios are specified on the fertilizer. Spray the plant until it soaks.
3. Broadcasting
Pour the fertilizer into a spreader and disburse the fertilizer on the land. You can also pour it by hand near the base of the plants or grass.
Uses of 19-19-19
- Increase the growth and health of the soil
- Enhance soil fertility.
- Promotes foliage growth
- Promotes flowering and fruiting in plants.
Types of fertilizer
- Quick-release fertilizers are either liquid or water-soluble. They provide nutrients to the plants as soon as they are applied to the soil. Their effect on plants is immediate and visible especially when they grow on weak soils.
- Slow-release fertilizers are granular. They release nutrients gradually over a long period and with fewer applications.
- Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials, rotting plants, and animal by-products.
- Inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic chemicals. They stimulate growth in plants. However, they can destroy soils.
- Liquid concentrate fertilizers are mixed with water to maintain the pH of the soil.
- Water soluble powder fertilizers are applied directly into the soil while diluted as tea.
19-19-19 fertilizer components
Nitrogen
It is an essential component of fertilizer. It promotes chlorophyll development and photosynthesis to ensure that plants and grass gain healthy foliage. It also enhances the development of plant proteins and enzymes that improve the uptake and spread of water and nutrients in the plant.
Nitrogen is essential for lawns. By stimulating foliage growth and chlorophyll development, the grass on the lawn looks green and healthy at all times.
Phosphorous
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert starches and carbohydrates into food. Phosphorous ensures that photosynthesis takes place in plants. Additionally, it stimulates the development of flowers and fruits in plants. It goes into the cells of the plant to build the enzymes and proteins necessary for water regulation, food uptake, and spread.
Potassium
It ensures that the created food, water, and nutrients absorbed into the plant by the roots circulate throughout the plant. Potassium stimulates the enzymes and proteins to promote the health of the plant. It also helps plants resist diseases and drought. Additionally, it helps in the formation of large and juicy fruits.
Using a balanced fertilizer
- Provides a range of nutrients to the plants.
- Promotes overall plant health.
- Enhances the appearance of the plants,
- Improves soil fertility
How to use 19-19-19 fertilizer
When applying fertilizer, always follow the instructions given by the manufacturers. They will be written on the bag.
Every time you apply fertilizer to your plants, remember to water them. It ensures that the fertilizer soaks in the soil and reaches the roots of the plants.
Before you purchase fertilizer or even plant your lawn, test your soil. The test results show you the nutrients in the soil and those lacking. Therefore, you can purchase the fertilizers that will be beneficial to your soil and the plants.
Fertilizers are available in liquid and granular forms. You can spray the liquid fertilizer after diluting it with water as instructed by the manufacturers. You can broadcast the granular fertilizer or apply it in any other suitable method.
Granular fertilizers release nutrients into the soil slowly as the plant grows. They ensure that it does not lack vital nutrients for its growth.
Liquid fertilizers are fast-acting and release nutrients into the soil as soon as they dissolve in the soil. The effect of these fertilizers is visible as soon as they dissolve in the soil.
What is the price of 19-19-19
A bag of 19-19-19 costs $25. A bag covers up to 9,500 square feet. On a small lawn, a bag of 19-19-19 can be used for several seasons. It helps strengthen your lawn and protect them from disease.
Hire a pro
If you notice your lawn needs improvement, hire a professional to advise on the type of fertilizer you should apply.
Homegardenguides.com is a free-to-use tool that connects homeowners to professional lawn service providers.
To use this tool:
- Enter your zip code at the top of the tool.
- Fill in the form to provide more details on the service you require.
- You will receive three quotes from professionals in lawn management
- Contact the provider who falls within your budget and hire them.
