Some examples of the formulations of common starter fertilizers for lawns are 10-10-10, 20-10-10 and 16-8-8. Penn State Extension notes that analyses of 15-10-10 or 10-6-4 are also acceptable used as starter fertilizers for grass, as they also promote good early growth and grass development.

What is the best fertilizer for starting grass seed?

In summary, a lawn starter fertilizer high in phosphorus and quick-releasing nitrogen is ideal for starting a lawn from seed. Regular slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen is best for planting sod or giving your existing lawn a boost.

What numbers are good for starter fertilizer?

Any high-quality, complete fertilizer that contains at least nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a starter fertilizer. Generally, it should contain a high phosphate (P2O5) ratio (e. g., 1-2-1, 1-3-1, 1-4-2, or 1-5-0) and the phosphate in starter fertilizers should be highly water soluble.

What are the 3 numbers for starter fertilizer?

The three numbers on a fertilizer label indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (in that order) in the formulation.

Can you use starter fertilizer on new grass?

If you are planting new grass with sod or seeds it’s best to use starter fertilizer. If you are overseeding your lawn, you can apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. Starter fertilizers are especially useful if your soil Phosphorus (P) is low, which can be determined by a soil test.

Is Scotts starter fertilizer quick release?

Nitrogen is nitrogen, but where it comes from and how it gets on your lawn can make a big difference. That difference is all about how it’s distributed and how quickly it’s released. … Scotts® lawn fertilizers use a mix of fast- and slow-release nitrogen to help your lawn stay consistently green for 6-8 weeks.

What's the difference between starter fertilizer and regular fertilizer?

Regular fertilizer contains nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P). Starter fertilizers emphasize phosphorous, the most critical ingredient for root growth in seedlings, according to Penn State.

What does 13-13-13 fertilizer have in it?

“Triple 13” or 13-13-13 refers to the nutrient analysis in that particular bag of fertilizer. The three numbers represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). … Nitrogen also is the quickest to get used up by the grass. The next of the fertilizer numbers is Phosphorus (P).

Is triple 10 fertilizer good for lawns?

10 10 10 fertilizer is the best all round fertilizer for gardens. It can be used for all plants, including trees, flowers, shrubs, vegetables and lawns. It is widely available, easy to use and comes in liquid and slow-release granules.

When should I apply Scotts starter fertilizer?

This fertilizer contains a combination of nutrients to help a new lawn grow strong roots. Can be applied before or after planting new grass. For best results, apply 2 weeks after seeding.

Article first time published on

Is triple 15 fertilizer good for grass?

Any sod variety that you choose for your lawn will work well with 15-15-15 fertilizer. It is the best option for new sod that isn’t yet established and hasn’t yet taken root. The equal amounts of NPK helps your lawn to take root, grow strong and stay healthy. … This will help to produce lush and healthy lawns.

What kind of fertilizer is 10/10 10?

What kind of fertilizer is the 10-10-10? This is an all-purpose, synthetic fertilizer. It contains, in equal parts, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium or NPK. Leafy green crops, grass, trees, and established perennials benefit the most from this fertilizer because they need a lot of nitrogen.

Can I fertilize and seed at the same time?

When seeding a lawn, you should never apply the fertilizer and seed together. This can cause an uneven distribution of the materials resulting in patchy areas or seedlings burned by excess fertilizer. It is best to spread the fertilizer just prior to planting the seed.

Do I fertilize or overseed first?

Stop fertilizing for at least a month before overseeding. The fertilizer makes your grass grow faster, which makes it harder for the new seeds to take hold. Identify your grass type or the type of grass you want to grow, so you can manage it appropriately.

How often can I use Scotts starter fertilizer?

Ideally, your new lawn should only need 1 applications of starter feed. This is applied to the soil before you seed or lay your turf. Then, once the grass is starting to grow, you can apply a second dose of regular fertilizer, which is higher in nitrogen, around 4 to 6 weeks later.

Can I use all purpose fertilizer on lawn?

Fertilizing a lawn with an all-purpose 10-10-10 nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium fertilizer (containing 10 percent of each of these three primary nutrients) Although this all-purpose fertilizer formulation comes in both water-soluble and slow-release forms, the slow-release form is more beneficial.

Should I put fertilizer down with new grass seed?

The ideal time to fertilize new grass seed is before or while the seed is being sown. Although starter fertilizers vary slightly in composition, most have quick-release nitrogen, which gives the seeds the nutritional boost they need to promote healthy germination and to ensure rapid establishment.

What is the breakdown of starter fertilizer?

Starter fertilizers come in compositions of primary nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (or potash), making up a product’s NPK. The numbers in the NPK statement represent percentages of nutrients. For example, a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-18-10 has 10% nitrogen, 18% phosphorus, and 10% potassium.

What's the difference between turf builder and fertilizer?

Turf Builder is only a brand name of a fertilizer that is manufactured by Scotts Company. … Though considered a miracle fertilizer, Turf Builder is a synthetic fertilizer that could harm the soil. So if you are considering the health of the soil, then it is better to go for natural options such as manure.

When should I apply Scotts Step 3?

Give your lawn a mid-season boost with an application of Step® 3. Apply in the summer, between June and August. Step® 3 feeds and strengthens the lawn against heat and drought, guaranteed.

Does Scotts starter fertilizer need to be watered in?

WATER – This product does not require watering in. However, watering is the critical step to seeding success. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings reach 2 inches high.

What is triple 13 fertilizer used for?

The American Plant Food Corporation describes its pelletized 13-13-13 fertilizer as useful for gardens, flowers, shrubs, hedges, trees, new lawns and wildlife food plots. It recommends applying this fertilizer in the spring just before planting a garden.

Is triple 13 fertilizer good for grass?

Triple-13 fertilizer is cheapo crapola that should not be used on lawns. DON’T use cheap, quick-release fertilizers like 13-13-13. … Brand names contain more slow-release nitrogen, the most important nutrient for lawns, so they feed longer and pollute less.

What is the best fertilizer ratio for lawns?

The ideal lawn fertilizer ratio for most lawns is 3:1:3 or 4:1:2, but every lawn is unique and evaluating your soil with an accurate soil test kit is the best way to understand exactly what your lawn needs and unlock the full potential of your yard (more on that later).

What is 15 15 15 fertilizer used for?

15-15-15 all-purpose fertilizer is a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all vital nutrients for plant health. Nitrogen promotes healthy plant leaves by encouraging the production of chlorophyll. Phosphorus for building strong root and stem systems.

What is Triple 8 fertilizer used for?

Triple-8 is designed to bring the carbon to nitrogen ratio into perfect balance. It regulates the nitrogen to carbon levels in the soil so it can hold in the nitrogen effectively. This miracle fertilizer is an excellent choice for rapid fill in and high stress areas.

What are triple 10 Fertilizers good?

A common use of 10-10-10 fertilizer is as a all-purpose fertility boost for perennial plants. If your plants are well established and you want to make sure that they have what they need to put out new growth in the spring, a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 is a common choice.

Should I put topsoil over grass seed?

You don’t need to turn the topsoil over. Just break it up so the new grass seeds’ roots can easily grow through. If you just have a small area to seed, a digging fork will do the trick. For larger areas, consider a core aerator.

Can you use Scotts Turf Builder on new grass?

Whether you’re planting new grass, starting a new lawn, reseeding an existing one, or installing sod, sprigs or grass plugs, Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass is safe to use on any grass type. … Then make sure to continue feeding your lawn so it maintains a thick, green appearance.

What is considered high nitrogen fertilizer?

Organic fertilizers that are high in nitrogen include urea, which is derived from urine, feathers, dried blood and blood meal. Feathers contain 15 percent nitrogen; dried blood contains 12 percent nitrogen; and blood meal contains 12.5 percent nitrogen.

What's the difference between triple 15 and triple 16 fertilizer?

Triple 15 (15-15-15) has equal amounts of each of these nutrients, or 15% of each. (Triple 16 is almost identical.) This is how fertilizer ratios work. For an example, let’s use fertilizer numbers with an NPK rating of 21-7-14.