Liquid Grass Fertilizers

Uses

• Liquid fertilizers are used on turfgrass to nourish and keep grasses green and healthy. They contain soluble nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, copper, zinc or other nutrients that turfgrass needs to thrive.

Benefits

• The major benefit of liquid fertilizers -- as opposed to dry, granular fertilizers -- is that results from these quick-release fertilizers are seen right away: grass responds almost immediately by growing and becoming greener. Liquid fertilizers do not remain in the soil and only work for a short period, so they must be reapplied to continue results.

Application

• Liquid fertilizers come in a clear liquid form and may contain solid particles. Some are sold dry and are then dissolved in water by the user. The amount of fertilizer to use depends on the size of the lawn and the concentration of the product. To determine your lawn's surface area, simply multiply the length by the width to determine square footage, and use the proper amount of product for the area, typically 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of grass. Read all instructions on the package and follow them carefully to avoid damaging your lawn. Once the solution is mixed in a garden sprayer, it should be uniformly sprayed onto the grass where it will be absorbed by the foliage or roots. Lawns can be fertilized with liquid fertilizer between two and four times annually depending on the type of grass.

Risks

• If you have never used a quick-release fertilizer before, liquid fertilizer is not good to experiment with as it has a much greater potential than granular fertilizer to burn your grass. Using small amounts of fertilizer more frequently may be safer than applying large amounts less frequently. Other problems associated with liquid fertilizer are large bursts of growth that weaken foliage, cause it to break and may invite disease. Another problem arises when fertilizer dries on the grass and is mowed before the fertilizer reaches the roots. Leaving the clippings on your lawn can help to remedy this problem. Research needs to be done to determine if liquid fertilizers improve the soil as much as some granular fertilizers, according to the Ohio State University, as rich soil is crucial to healthy grass.

Considerations

• Granular or dry fertilizers are often recommended over liquid for long-term use as liquid fertilizers only supply immediate nutrition to grass. Granular products are also less likely to burn grass and do not have to be applied as frequently. Dry fertilizers also do not cause growth spurts or plant damage, and using organic granular fertilizers can actually improve the soil for years to come. It may be best to reserve liquid fertilizers for times when your lawn needs a quick burst of color, or use them in combination with granular fertilizers. Whichever type of fertilizer you use, follow the directions completely and never use more than recommended.