Fertilizer and Green Grass

Lush green grass is one of the premier goals of lawn care. The greenness of the grass depends on supplies of  the proper amount of water and nutrients in the soil. Grass needs 16 ingredients in the soil for normal growth. The ingredients include macro-nutrients, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur; and micro-nutrients, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. 

The first three elements, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are never deficient in plants because they are provided in the form of water and carbon dioxide. 

Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are the primary nutrients. They are also the most prevalent ingredients in soil supplements. The inclusion of these chemicals in fertilizers is referred to as NPK and is expressed as, for example, 10-10-10,  which means this fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. 

Secondary nutrients are seldom added to a fertilizer chemical mix and may also be supplied as lime. Secondary nutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. 

Micro-nutrients are required in trace amounts and are rarely included in fertilizer. Two exceptions are fertilizer used for very sandy soil such as for golf putting greens and iron supplements used to create very green looking grass without the risk of excess foliage.

Each of the nutrients play a specific role in stimulating grass color and growth. Nitrogen stimulates root and shoot growth, green color, and disease and stress resistance. Phosphorus stimulates seed development, root/shoot growth, and maturation. It is therefore an important ingredient in starter fertilizers. Potassium stimulates leaf turgor, cold and stress tolerance, and disease resistance. 

Calcium deficiencies can result in poor root and shoot growth. Magnesium deficiency results in foliar chlorosis (yellowing). And sulfur deficiency results in deficient chlorophyll production. 

Having seen how important the plant nutrients are in promoting green healthy grass, you can understand why it is important to test your soil to determine chemical content and then select a fertilizer that will correct the deficiencies. 

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Resources: For exceptional lawn care and maintenance in the Yorktown Heights and Westchester County, NY area contact the Turf Barbers; 2929 Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; 914 302 2469 ; http://www.the turfbarbers.com