When it comes to nutrients for lawns, we can break it down into two different sections, micronutrients and macronutrients. Macronutrients are the primary nutrients required for plant growth. Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts to assist in the growth and development of your lawn.
Macronutrients N, P & K.
The primary Macronutrients required for the health of your lawn are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Let’s look at these and why they are essential for plant health.
(N) Nitrogen
Nitrogen is mainly responsible for the growth of leaves on the plant and colour. It is the most talked about nutrient when it comes to lawns. It is usually the highest percentage of your NPK ratio.
Lawns love Nitrogen, but it is essential to strike a balance between strong leaf growth and strong roots capable of supporting it, which is where Phosphorus comes in.
(P) Phosphorus
Phosphorus is largely responsible for root growth and is quite a low percentage of the overall NPK ratio. This nutrient moves slowly through the soil, and isn’t used in great amounts by your lawn, so some is needed but not a great amount.
Phosphorus usually comes in the following forms: Water Soluble, Citrate Soluble and Citrate Insoluble.
(K) Potassium
Potassium is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant to perform correctly. It is an essential macro-nutrient used in the largest quantities by plants for vigour and growth. Potassium comes in the form of Sulphate as soluble potash which helps grass withstand drought and disease. It also helps the plant to use Nitrogen more efficiently.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are needed in smaller qualities than macronutrients, however will still aid in creating a healthy lawn.
Calcium
Calcium helps stimulate the plant’s stem and roots, while also helping with the plant’s metabolism and enzyme activity.
Iron
Iron helps grass photosynthesis and create chlorophyll. It will improve colour and helps it to carry out cellular functions.
Manganese
Manganese is necessary for your grass to create chlorophyll. If Manganese levels are too high, grass may produce brown spots, and if it is too low it may produce grey or tan spots.
Zinc
Zinc helps to regulate metabolic activity and combined with other elements allows the production of chlorophyll.
Fulvic Acid
Fulvic acid helps with the transport of nutrients from the soil to the grass. It will also help contribute to a fertile soil.
Fertilisers
When it comes to using fertilisers there are a few different options to look at using. For a granular fertiliser we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. This fertiliser has a well-balanced ratio of both NPK and Micronutrients your lawn needs to stay healthy.
For a liquid fertiliser, we recommend using Exceed. Exceed has a carefully balanced NPK ratio will provide health and colour to your lawn and can be used all year-round. Additional micronutrients including Iron and Manganese are also important inclusions.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
