Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care (2024)

Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care (1)

Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do?

Published on Wednesday, September 07, 2022

This article was tagged under: Fertilization, Lawn Care, Lawn Maintenance

While you likely know that fertilizers contain nutrients that your lawn needs to thrive, have you ever wondered exactly what nutrients are in fertilizers and what role they play in the health of your lawn? Well, we have the answer for you! Most fertilizers contain three main nutrients: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Each of these fertilizer ingredients provide your lawn with specific benefits that will help your lawn flourish. Nitrogen helps your grass grow stronger and helps it get its beautiful green color. Potassium is responsible for increasing your lawn's resistance to diseases while also strengthening its stress tolerance, which can help it survive the cold winter weather we experience here in Oregon. Phosphorus promotes strong root growth, which is especially important for new grass that is trying to establish itself.

Nitrogen is focused on promoting grass growth.

Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care (2)

Nitrogen is often considered to be the most important nutrient for your lawn because its main focus is to promote healthy, vibrant green grass. This nutrient works to help produce chlorophyll, which helps the grass feed itself and produce energy and gives it its beautiful green color. Because this nutrient is so important for your lawn, you'll want to make sure that any fertilizer you use contains sufficient amounts of it.

Applying too much nitrogen to your lawn can harm your grass, so you should consult with a lawn care professional to ensure you are giving your lawn the right amount.

Potassium helps strengthen your lawn's ability to fight off diseases and stress.

Potassium is a very important nutrient that is found in fertilizers and it is responsible for increasing your lawn's resistance to diseases and insect infestations. This means that when your lawn has a sufficient supply of nutrients it will not only be better equipped to withstand diseases and insect infestations, but it will also be able to recover quicker from any damage that it sustained. What's more, potassium also helps your lawn stand up to environmental stressors like cold weather and drought. Potassium also helps your grass develop strong roots, so you'll want to make sure that any fertilizer you use for your lawn contains ample amounts of it.

Fertilizers are labeled with an N-P-K ratio that tells you how much of each nutrient is in the fertilizer. "N" is for nitrogen, "P" is for phosphorus, and "K" is for potassium.

Phosphorus promotes strong root growth and it can help new lawns establish themselves.

Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care (3)

Phosphorus is the last of the big three nutrients that are found in most fertilizers. The primary role of phosphorus is to promote strong root growth. However, while it can help lawns that are already established, it is known for its ability to help new lawns establish themselves. If you have recently planted new grass seeds in your lawn, phosphorus will help them develop strong root systems so that they grow nice and healthy.

Give us a call today to schedule our lawn fertilization service.

If you want to make sure that your lawn has all of the nutrients that it needs to thrive throughout the year, you'll need to fertilize it regularly. At J&C Lawn Care, we offer a lawn fertilization service that will keep your lawn nourished with the nutrients it needs to flourish, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. What's more, this service also includes weed control treatments to keep weeds from stealing nutrients from your grass We offer our service to properties in Gresham, Happy Valley, Troutdale, OR, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call today at (971) 284-2035 to schedule our fertilization service! We look forward to working with you to help you get the healthy and beautiful lawn that you deserve!

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Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care (2024)

FAQs

Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus - What Do These Fertilizer Ingredients Do? | J&C Lawn Care? ›

– Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf growth by encouraging the production of chlorophyll, which is a chemical vital to photosynthesis. – Phosphorus helps your lawn develop healthy roots and stems. – Potassium gives your lawn strength, helping it to resist drought and disease.

What do nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium do for grass? ›

– Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf growth by encouraging the production of chlorophyll, which is a chemical vital to photosynthesis. – Phosphorus helps your lawn develop healthy roots and stems. – Potassium gives your lawn strength, helping it to resist drought and disease.

What is the need for nitrogen phosphorus and potassium containing fertilizer? ›

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers are well-known mineral elements necessary for plant growth and development [1], and the application of fertilizers containing these elements can significantly improve the yield and quality of fruit trees [2].

What does phosphorus do for a lawn? ›

It is found inside plant cells as energy-rich phosphate bonds that are used to fuel the “metabolic machinery” and ultimately growth. Without phosphorus, leaf, root, and stem growth slows dramatically. The first sign of a phosphorus deficiency is re duced vigor or slowed growth.

What are the three main ingredients in lawn fertilizer? ›

All lawn fertilizers contain three main nutrients listed in this order on the package: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (N-P-K). Fertilizers for other plants can have different ingredients in different amounts.

How do I know if my lawn needs potassium? ›

An application of potassium in the spring months can contribute to the grasses ability to withstand summer stresses better. Let's explore how potassium deficiency affects grass plants. Some of these deficiency symptoms are Chlorosis, a yellowing of the leaves which may lead to shedding and defoliation.

How do you know if you have too much nitrogen in your lawn? ›

Signs You Over-fertilized Your Lawn

But days or even weeks later, you'll notice the yellowing dead patches or stripes in the areas that got too much fertilizer. You might notice more subtle changes sooner. Maybe you're not seeing new growth. Or maybe just the tips of your grass blades are yellow or brown.

Which fertilizer replenish the soil with nitrogen phosphorus and potassium? ›

So, when fertilisers and manures are added to the soil in the fields, then the soil gets enriched with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, etc. Nutrients are replenished by certain different microorganisms that are found in the soil or also by the death of certain bacteria such as the rhizobium.

What is 20/20/20 fertilizer good for? ›

Specially formulated with a strong, balanced NPK that results in great foliage growth and stronger roots. Works excellently for a variety of flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees and houseplants.

When to apply phosphorus fertilizer? ›

Therefore, fertilizer-P should be applied in the spring as close to planting as possible for fields with low (pH <5.5) or high (pH >7.5) soil pH to ensure maximum fertilizer-P availability for plant uptake.

What are the symptoms of too much phosphorus in grass? ›

First, excessive phosphorus can interfere with plants' uptake of micronutrients like iron and zinc, causing chlorosis, stunting, and yellow or bleached foliage.

Does nitrogen make grass thicker? ›

Want a thicker and greener lawn? Hit it with a high nitrogen fertilizer and wait 10 days (or less) - you will see the difference if temps are warm enough. But more than that, Nitrogen is an important macronutrient for all plants because it is a major component of chlorophyll.

Is too much potassium bad for a lawn? ›

Too much or too little potassium can adversely affect your lawn, causing yellowing or browning of leaves, reduced growth, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Here's how to achieve optimal potassium levels for a healthy lawn.

What is the best fertilizer for all grass types? ›

Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer is for use on all grass types, including Bahiagrass, Bentgrass, Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, St. Augustine, and Zoysiagrass. Apply anytime during the growing season.

Is 13-13-13 good for lawns? ›

13-13-13 fertilizer is great for the lawn. The granules are slow release and do not place the lawn on steroids! Great product been using it for years with abundant success! Great basic fertilizer for my yard, trees and shrubs.

Is 10-10-10 fertilizer good for lawns? ›

10-10-10 fertilizer is a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer containing equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's often used as a starter fertilizer for new lawns and is also suitable for established lawns. Nitrogen: Essential for leaf growth and a green lawn. Phosphorus: Important for root development.

What does potassium nitrate do to grass? ›

"Potassium nitrate is an excellent source of nitrogen on cool season turf, because of the nitrate form," he said. "It's an excellent source of potassium because of its low salt index." Street agreed. "From a salt-tolerance standpoint, po- tassium nitrate has an advantage over other forms of potassium," he said.

What does NPK do for lawns? ›

Quick Pro-Tips: Nitrogen (N):nitrogen is the food thataids a lawn to grow quickly, taller, and develop a darker green color. Phosphorus (P): phosphorus is responsible for root growth and helps aid new lawn development.

What does nitrogen do for your grass? ›

Nitrogen is often considered to be the most important nutrient for your lawn because its main focus is to promote healthy, vibrant green grass. This nutrient works to help produce chlorophyll, which helps the grass feed itself and produce energy and gives it its beautiful green color.

When should I put nitrogen on my lawn? ›

Leading scientists recommend applying nitrogen fertilizers in the spring and fall for cool season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass, and throughout the summer for warm season grasses like St. Augustine and Bermuda, since this is when the grass plant is actively growing.

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