The 3 Main Nutrients in Your Fertilizer & What They Do for Your Grass

Throughout the year, your lawn in Louisville, KY will likely face extreme heat, drought, and other stressors. One way to ensure that your grass is strong enough to survive these stressors is to sign up for fertilization treatments throughout the year. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three big nutrients found in most fertilizers, and all of them are needed to keep your lawn in its best condition throughout the year. Nitrogen is a nutrient of many hats as it's essential for your grass's growth, environmental tolerance, disease resistance, and much more. Phosphorus is important in your lawn's development, which is especially important if your grass is new. And potassium is a key nutrient in building up that drought tolerance needed for your grass to make it through the summer heat. All three of these nutrients are critical to establishing and maintaining your lawn throughout the year!

1. Nitrogen

When assessing the importance of the nutrients contained in fertilizer, none are as important as the nutrient, nitrogen. Nitrogen is essential in the formation of proteins in your plants and grass, meaning that nitrogen is the nutrient your grass absorbs the most to grow. Nitrogen is also responsible for giving your grass its lush, green color, and keeping your lawn dense. The more nitrogen present in your soil, the more your grass will be able to resist various diseases, and it will ultimately build a higher environmental stress tolerance. A key sign your lawn might be deficient in nitrogen is if you notice your grass taking on a yellowish color and it starts thinning out. If you notice this, then you may want to fertilize your lawn to prevent weed growth and diseases.

2. Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another key nutrient found in many fertilizers. Phosphorus is specifically tied to a plant's ability to use and store energy, which is essential in a plant's development. When applied to your soil, phosphorus affects the rate of seedling development, maturation, and root growth. This makes phosphorus a key nutrient in establishing new turfgrass. It is needed for young grass to develop strong and deep root systems in your soil. After your lawn grows and becomes established, less phosphorus is needed to maintain your lawn. If you see your grass take on a reddish-purple color, then that could mean your lawn is deficient in phosphorus, which could lead to a thinner, less healthy lawn. However, you can correct this with fertilizer to reinvigorate your lawn.

3. Potassium

The last of the big three nutrients in your fertilizer is potassium. When looking at fertilizers, potassium is important because it increases your grass's ability to resist diseases as well, but it also plays a crucial role in building up your grass's drought tolerance and cold hardiness. When your grass is low in potassium, you may notice the tips of your grass browning. Fertilizing your lawn to boost the potassium in your soil is a great way to ensure your grass is equipped to withstand the upcoming summer stress period!

Call us today to enroll in our lawn fertilization program!

Your grass needs these three essential nutrients to grow and be strong enough to tolerate stressful conditions throughout the year. Our lawn fertilization program is designed to fertilize your lawn at regular intervals to ensure your grass continues receiving the nutrients it needs to not only survive but also thrive. We service commercial, HOA, and residential properties in the Louisville, KY area. We also service properties in the Jeffersonville, IN area, including New Albany and Sellersburg. Call us today at (812) 590-8864 to sign up for our lawn fertilization program!