The amount of fertilizer your lawn needs will vary depending on several factors, like the time of year, how much precipitation there has been, etc. To find the right amount of fertilizer for your lawn, you will need to measure the amount of Nitrogen and Phosphorus that the lawn needs. The two main types of fertilizer are liquid and granular.
Liquid fertilizer is easier to use, as all you have to do is pour it on the lawn. Granular one you must dilute with water first.
This article will compare liquid versus granular fertilizers, including the pros and cons of each.
Liquid fertilizer is either a liquid concentrate or a liquid fertilizer. A liquid concentrate is a ready-to-use solution that contains a specific amount of nutrients for a particular purpose. A liquid fertilizer also contains water and other ingredients to improve its consistency for ease of application.
Liquid fertilizer is a form of fertilizing that you can apply to the grass with the help of a sprayer. Liquid fertilizers are not like other types since they ensure complete coverage and distribution over an area. The liquid form also helps nutrients get absorbed by the soil faster than regular forms. As if these weren't enough benefits, this particular type reduces concerns about watering or having rain for it to work. When used in dry weather situations with less water supply, it provides all you need to keep your lawn alive and thriving.
If you need to fertilize a larger area, you can always rent a front-load or high-volume fertilizer applicator.
Granular fertilizers are composed of small particles that are less likely to be absorbed by the soil. Instead, they remain on the surface of the soil where they can be easily applied to the plants. This type of fertilizer is typically used as a top-dressing; that is, it’s applied over the surface of the soil to encourage rapid surface growth.
Granular fertilizers are also available in a variety of particle sizes. You will often see these fertilizers sold as “coarse,” “for heavy soils,” or “for clay soils.” They are not as fine as powders and require the use of a spreader when being applied.
For smaller lawns, you can use handheld applicators such as push-type devices. They work well for spreading fertilizer around these areas where lawn care is done by hand. However, if your garden has large patches to cover, then you need to use a mechanical spreader, which moves faster.
Granular fertilizers release nutrients at a lower rate than their liquid counterparts. They do so over time rather than all at once as liquid ones. It means they would not have an immediate effect like water does on dry plants but will instead provide longer-term benefits up until the next application date (usually three weeks later).
It also means that some parts of your garden may not get enough nutrition due in part to uneven coverage. There is always risk involved with running into patchy grass problems because it is hard to tell which sections the fertilizer was able to reach.
So which one is better for your lawn? Liquid or granular? The answer is – it depends!
If you have a small area of lawn, a water-soluble granular fertilizer may work better for you. The same goes if you have a plant-first lawn and want to encourage dense, healthy growth. In these cases, a granular fertilizer will be easier to use.
In general, though, liquid fertilizers are easier to use. All you have to do is pour them out on the ground. You can also get granular fertilizers that are already mixed with water; you just have to add water to the mixture before application.
Both have their benefits and drawbacks. It is recommended a 50:50 mixture of the two for optimal results- enough nutrients in liquid form with future reserve from granular. If you do not want to work on your lawn regularly, you should use granular fertilizer.
If you would like even better results, we highly recommend using both forms of fertilizer together:
Liquid fertilizers are easy to use because they do not require mixing with water before application. You can just pour and apply. Liquid fertilizers are great for foliar feeding.
Foliar feeding is the process of applying fertilizer to the leaves of plants. Foliar feeding is a great way to apply nutrients directly to the plant’s leaves, where it needs them most. Foliar feeding can be done by spraying or with a paintbrush.
Liquid fertilizers can be applied more frequently than dry fertilizers because they do not contain as much salt and acidity that can damage plants over time. It also means that liquid fertilizers are suitable for more delicate plants.
They are also easy to store. You can easily store liquid fertilizers in a container with a lid and put them in a shed, garage, or basement.
Granular fertilizers are great for large areas of lawn. You can apply them in layers to cover a larger area.
They are good for maintaining lawns that have poor soil conditions and can be used in gardens and landscaping, too.
Granular fertilizers do not burn the roots of your plants when applied directly.
They are also easy to apply since you don’t need to mix them with water.
Granular fertilizers may not be the best choice for newly seeded lawns or lawns that haven’t grown much. For these lawns, you will want to apply a liquid fertilizer first.
Granular fertilizers can be messy to apply. You will often see recommendations to wear gloves to protect your hands.
You have to be careful when applying granular fertilizer. The fine powder can easily wind up on your clothing, shoes, and cracks in the sidewalk or driveway. It can cause stains and damage if it gets on your or someone else property. You may also need to wear a mask while applying granular fertilizer to avoid breathing in dust or powder.
Granular fertilizers are not as effective as liquid fertilizers. They can be less effective because they don’t dissolve completely in the soil, leaving an opportunity for them to wash away.
Liquid fertilizers are typically more expensive than granular fertilizers. It might be a concern if you have a large lawn and want to apply a lot of fertilizer.
One of the drawbacks of using liquid fertilizer is that you have to buy it in large quantities at once. Liquid fertilizer comes in large jugs, and you may have to pay a lot for shipping.
Liquid fertilizers are also more difficult to store. You can not store liquid fertilizers in a plastic container or bag, as the fertilizer will dissolve the plastic and ruin the fertilizer. You will need to buy a ceramic or glass container specifically for storing liquid fertilizers.
Depending on where you purchase your fertilizer, the volume may be less than that of a one-gallon bag of granular fertilizer. You may have to mix the liquid fertilizer with water before application.
Conclusion
To sum up, liquid fertilizers are easier to use, require less work, and cost less than granular fertilizers. They are also better for small areas and lawns that haven’t grown much. On the other hand, liquid fertilizers may be more expensive and less effective than granular fertilizers. It’s important to choose the right type of fertilizer for your lawn based on these factors.