Fertilize your turf grass to increase its color and health. When you fertilize your lawn, it helps add nuturients that are lost in the soil from plants extracting them. We fertilize lawns to fill the gap in nutrients, so that we produce the best crop of grass plants possible. Grass plants absorb nutrients found in the soil which makes the soil less fertile. In order to replenish the amount of the nutrients in the soil, fertilizer is applied to lawns.
There are six main nutrients that your grass needs to survive. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are provided by water and air. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are found in the soil. Below is a quick review of what each nutrient does to help the grass plant survive. If you are lacking some or all of one of these nutrients, then your grass will probably not survive. Fertilizing may help replace missing or lacking nutrients. Understanding how each nutrient works, will help you understand the role that each nutrient plays in keeping your grass healthy.
Fertilize your lawn with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Carbon- Photosynthesis. Plants use carbon dioxide and water along with absorbed light to produce glucose. Carbon helps plants produce their own food.
Hydrogen- Most plants are 90% or more water by weight. Hydrogen is a component of water and since plants need water to survive, your plant cannot survive without hydrogen.
Oxygen- Plants take in carbon and expel oxygen. Oxygen is a by-product created by plants.
Nitrogen- Nitrogen promotes leaf growth and foliage development. Nitrogen causes the blades of your grass to grow.
Phosphorus- Phosphorus promotes root growth and development in grass plants. New lawns should be fertilized with products that contain phosphorus products so that roots can establish quick and strong.
Potassium- Potassium is used for general hardiness of grass plants. Potassium is used to increase the strength of grass blades and stems. This nutrient is also used to promote uniformity in flowers and fruits of trees and shrubs.