Fertilizer is a vital component when it comes to keeping a lush, green lawn on your property, but it turns out that not many people know what’s in their fertilizer. If you ever look at the ingredients in your fertilizer, you’ll find a wide assortment of nutrients and micronutrients, but three main nutrients play a critical role in your lawn’s health and development: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen is primarily responsible for stimulating grass growth. Phosphorus will help your grass establish deep roots in your soil. Potassium will boost your turf’s resistance to diseases and temperature changes—a vital nutrient when preparing your lawn for winter here in Texas.

Nitrogen stimulates grass growth and will green up your lawn.

Nitrogen is often considered the most important nutrient out of the big three found in your fertilizer because nitrogen stimulates rapid plant growth, encourages a dense lawn, and is responsible for producing the rich, green color in your grass. Your grass will need nitrogen more than any other nutrient because nitrogen is essential in the formation of proteins.

While it is true that your lawn will need nitrogen the most out of the three essential nutrients in your fertilizer, there are times when it’s important to cut back on the amount you’re supplying your lawn. For instance, you'll want to use a fertilizer with a lower amount of nitrogen right before the summer begins. Your grass should not focus on plant growth over the summer because the heat will put a lot of stress on it, therefore, it should be focused more on surviving the summer heat rather than growing tall.

Phosphorus helps establish a deep root system in your soil.

A healthy green hilled lawn due to fertilization in front of a home in Cedar Park, TX.

Another essential nutrient found in lawn fertilizers is phosphorus. Phosphorus helps your grass establish strong root systems in your soil, meaning fertilizers rich in phosphorus are best for new lawns. Phosphorus is tied to your turf’s ability to store and use energy, so it’s vital for the development of new grass seeds. When your lawn has already established a deep root system in your soil, you can get away with using a fertilizer treatment with lower amounts of phosphorus.

Before laying grass seeds in your yard, fertilize your soil so it has the right levels of phosphorus for the seeds to flourish!

Potassium will boost your lawn’s resistance to disease, pests, and temperature changes.

Granular potassium pellets for a fertilizer treatment in West Lake Hills, TX.

Last but certainly not least, there is potassium. Potassium is responsible for strengthening your lawn’s root system and boosting its resistance to diseases and pests. Potassium helps activate enzymes in your grass to synthesize protein, sugar, and starch. But its benefits don’t end there! It also boosts your turf’s heat tolerance and cold hardiness, ensuring your grass can get through the most dramatic temperature changes throughout the year. Winterizer fertilizers, for example, will be high in potassium to help your lawn survive the winter season.

Help your lawn thrive! Call us today to sign up for our lawn fertilization program!

Don’t deprive your lawn of the nutrients it needs to flourish! At Century Lawn and Landscape, we’ve developed a lawn fertilization plan that will supply your grass with a constant supply of nutrients. Each treatment is expertly formulated to match what your grass will need at any given time of the year. This method ensures that your grass will get the right nutrients so it can thrive each season. This program also includes pre- and post-emergent weed control treatments. We service residential properties in the Austin, TX area, including surrounding areas like Bee Cave and Dripping Springs. Give us a call today at (512) 786-1694 to sign up for our lawn fertilization program!