en en en en en en en en en en en pl en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en en en en en en en en en en en it en en en la en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en ar en es es en en en
Adrian White is a professional health, wellness, agriculture, and sustainability freelance writer and herbalist for nearly a decade, and an organic farmer for over a decade. She is co-owner and operator of Jupiter Ridge Farm, growing diverse vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms in the Driftless Area of Iowa in the Midwest.
Anna Ryan is a writer, copywriter and editor. She has a wide range of knowledge and, because of this, has been able to contribute to a variety of different genres, including article and blog writing.
As an editor, she has polished and perfected an array of pieces for diverse readerships and audiences.
We may earn commission from our brand partners when purchasing products through our links. Learn more.
To have the best garden in your neighborhood, you sometimes need to help nature along a bit. Even if your garden has the nutrients it needs, it may require some encouragement to grow quicker or more vibrantly.
If you haven’t already considered it, garden fertilizer could be just what you’re looking for to give your grass the extra nutrients it needs. Liven up your lawn and help it look its best, especially during the colder months when nature needs a helping hand.
Finding the right garden fertilizer for you can be daunting – especially with so many options on the market. This review guide will help you decide which garden fertilizer will suit your needs.
Cleaning up your lawn? Grab a leaf mulcher!
If buying fertilizer for immediate lawn needs, make sure you’re buying one that can be applied any time of year or any season, in your specific climate, and regardless of ongoing weather conditions. Some cannot be applied in winter or year-round owing to region or climactic conditions.
View the Best Rated Lawn Fertilizer, Below.
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
1. Safer Brand Lawn Restore
Best Fertilizer for a Natural Approach
In addition, this fertilizer contains only plant-based nutrients, with no poultry litter, manure, or biosolids. This ensures it's odorless. With enough fertilizer to cover up to 5,000 sq ft, you can use it in both warm and cold seasons.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Might not spread as well as others
2. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard
Best Lawn Fertilizer for Reoccurring Weeds in Winter
This fertilizer is perfect for gardens that suffer from recurring weed issues. It controls up to 50 different lawn weeds, including dandelions, clovers, and chickweeds. It's made specifically for the winter season, meaning you can keep your lawn looking great in those colder months where plants would typically struggle to grow.
This fertilizer will ensure your grass grows thicker and with fewer weeds, providing you with the perfect lawn. While this product saves you all the hard work, you'll have more time to enjoy your garden.
With the ability to keep weeds at bay, this fertilizer will save a lot of hard work in maintenance. Investing in this fertilizer will not only make your garden look great in harsher weather but will provide a stronger foundation for success in the spring.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Controls 50 types of weeds
Winter season lawn food
Good source of nutrients
Builds deep, strong roots
Prepares lawn for spring
Not as cheap as other products - but worth it
3. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
Best Fertilizer for the Whole Year
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food both strengthens your lawn and reduces future problems. Like their winter version, this fertilizer creates stronger and deeper roots, making your lawn more resilient. It also aids the ability for water and nutrient absorption compared to a natural lawn.
It features Scotts' exclusive All-In-One Particle technology to ensure green grass and a healthy lawn. Unlike some garden fertilizers, Scotts has made this product for all grass types, so you can be sure that it'll successfully improve your lawn - even if you're unsure of the grass type you have.
This fertilizer is the perfect all-rounder as it's made for all seasons. If you only need one fertilizer to use all year round, then this is the one for you. Get green grass in an instant.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Copes with any weather
Strong enough to deal with activity
Increasing efficiency at absorbing water
Equips lawn to deal with future problems
Suitable for all grass types
Might be more expensive than other brands
Extra Pest and Weed Control
Some buyers may assume all fertilizers take care of pest pressure and weed issues too— not true! Check labels first. Some types are for fertilizing purposes only. When looking for pest and weed benefits, make sure it takes care of your specific trouble in question.
4. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble
The Best Lawn Fertilizer for Watering and Feeding at the Same Time
This Miracle Gro lawn food will keep your grass greener in the warmer months. Use it between April and September to achieve your desired results. It's easy to apply straight from your watering can and offers an even distribution. This means your lawn can be watered and fed at the same time, saving you buckets of time!
This is the best fertilizer to combat weeds, as their seeds grow in gaps where the grass is thinner. It'll help your lawn grow richer and greener in under a week. And because the fertilizer is dissolved in water, it means there's a reduced risk of scorching in the summer heat.
This is a convenient way to apply basic nutrients to your lawn with minimal effort; just fit it in with your usual watering routine! Keep your grass lush and green.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Combined feeding and watering method
Only needs applying once a month in summer
The feeder can attach straight to hosepipe
500g sachets mean no measuring
Be careful with plants - this lawn fertilizer will kill them
1 gallon per sq/ft
5. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple
Best Lawn Fertilizer For Ant Problems
This fertilizer is excellent for gardens with ant infestations. It will kill and prevent fire ants for up to 6 months. However, it's worth noting that this fertilizer is only for use on St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, and carpet grass. It kills dollar weeds and clovers to the root, preventing future weed problems.
This is the best lawn fertilizer when it comes to strengthening your lawn to protect against heat and droughts. It's great for dealing with dry climates. Covering 4000 sq. ft., this product is perfect for more extensive gardens. For the best results, apply when the grass and weeds are actively growing.
If you suffer from ant or insect infestations, this fertilizer is the way to go. These issues are especially important if you have small children who play in the grass and are at risk of getting bitten.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Kills weeds to the root
Only for use on St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, and carpet grass
6. Scotts Snap System
Best Lawn Fertilizer for All Weathers
Scotts Snap System fertilizer works on any grass type to help build strong, deep roots and protect against future problems. This fertilizer is only for use with Scotts Snap Spreader and only takes a ten-minute care system to produce successful results.
It comes with EdgeGuard Technology with a collapsible handle for easy use and storage. The spreader means you can apply the fertilizer to your grass with ease without dealing with heavy bags. Not just that - use it during any weather in any climate.
This system is fast and easy to apply, making it possible to care for your lawn and produce a healthy garden quickly. It's the perfect product if you have a busy schedule.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Easy to evenly apply
Will produce a thicker, greener lawn
The fertilizer is only for use with Scotts Snap Spreader
7. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
Best Child and Animal Friendly Formula
Boasting fast action, this fertilizer promises to make your lawn greener in just three days. This 2 in 1 formula both feeds and supplements the soil with iron, providing your garden with the essential nutrients it needs to thrive with dual action.
Thickening your grass to fill bare spots means fewer opportunities for weeds to grow. This product can work on any grass type in any season. Feed your lawn every 6-8 weeks for low-maintenance garden care. The product is child and animal-friendly, which is excellent for families with pets.
Because this plant food is so fast-acting, it's perfect if you have left your lawn care until the last minute. Or if you have a garden event coming up and you want to add some extra color to impress your guests.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
May take longer than recommended for a deeper green color
8. Pennington Signature Series
Best Lawn Fertilizer for the Money
This formula contains iron to add a deep green color to your lawn. It feeds grass for up to 4 months, releasing nutrients continuously without burning, meaning you don’t have to worry about your lawn for weeks after applying once. You can be sure this product will give you great results in your garden, no matter the grass type.
The 15.5 pounds of fertilizer will cover over 5000 sq. ft. This, in combination with continuous feeding, means this fertilizer will last you a long time, making this product good value for money.
Keeping your lawn looking green and healthy has never been easier with the Pennington Signature Series. Due to its continuous feeding, you don’t need to worry about the maintenance of your lawn for months.
4 months in between feeds
Long-lasting green with no burning
Not an organic option
9. Milorganite 0636 Organic
Best Lawn Fertilizer for Safe Use on Vegetables and Flowers Too
Just like Safer Brand Lawn Restore, Milorganite fertilizer is also organic - an organic nitrogen fertilizer made up of heat-dried microbes. You can use this fertilizer on shrubs, trees, vegetables, and flowers, as well as lawns. This is useful if you have other plants in your garden that need looking after.
This fertilizer is safe for pets and children, making it versatile. You can apply it at any time; it's suitable for all seasons, ensuring your vegetables and flowers look their best all year round. This fertilizer is also packed full of iron to produce a deep green grass color. Make quick work of lawn care.
This fertilizer stands out because of its compliance with the EPA's Exceptional Quality standards. It maintains standards that comply with the strictest criteria in relation to environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Check Price on Amazon ➞
Suitable on vegetables and flowers
Suitable for all climates
Can be used as a seed carrier
Not good for winter
50 lbs per sq/ft.
10. GreenView Fall Lawn Food
Best Lawn Care for the Fall
GreenView Fall Lawn Food is great for the approach to cooler weather, with no-phosphate enhanced efficiency that promotes faster growth. This enhanced efficiency fertilizer helps roots grow faster, improving the absorption of nutrients. It aids water retention to protect against heat and drought. It's best to apply this fertilizer in the fall.
GreenView will enrich your soil with the nutrients it needs to increase root strength and produce thicker, greener grass. By revitalizing the soil, the fertilizer will aid in faster and stronger growth than unfed soil. It feeds your lawn for up to 8 weeks.
This fertilizer not only prepares your garden for withstanding the winter months but also reduces the need for watering. This makes it convenient in climates where rain is sparse.
Reduces the need for watering
Promotes early spring green-up
Provides protection for winter-ready grass
Better to use only in the fall
Yes, there are organic options that won’t harm wildlife or pollute water from runoff! Some of these are directly labeled “organic” but, even without that word, some fertilizers are safe this way too— just check labels and don’t buy fertilizers that list chemical ingredients, only naturally-derived ingredients.
Garden fertilizer is perfect for giving your lawn a boost. No matter what the season, you can have perfect grass all year round. When you’re buying fertilizer for your lawn, there are certain things to consider. You need to make sure you find the best product for you and your garden.
We’ve listed the best garden fertilizers on the market; now it’s time to decide which one will work for you! Every kind of fertilizer offers different benefits, making it difficult to choose between them. This guide will help you determine what fertilizer you need for your garden, whether you want to maintain new grass roots or fix up old. Most fertilizers will make your garden look new again.
The benefits of organic garden fertilizer are many. You can use it on any part of your garden, including your vegetables and flowers. These types are also always safe for children and pets. So if you have a family, this type is the best lawn fertilizer for you.
Because they’re made of all-natural ingredients, these fertilizers can take longer to work than synthetic versions. However, as they are eco-friendly, include the basic nutrients, and have better long-term effects, they usually require fewer applications than synthetic fertilizers.
There is less chance of over-fertilizing your garden with organic fertilizer, meaning that it’s gentler all-round. However, it will cost more than synthetic fertilizer, which may be an important factor when deciding which to buy – especially if you’re on a budget.
Fertilizers made from chemicals are much faster acting, which is great if you have limited time to get your garden looking its best. It can also be cheaper, which is great for those on a budget. In addition, they’re stronger and act against more robust elements, killing weeds and insects. This is unlike organic fertilizer, which can attract more insects.
Because synthetic fertilizers are made from chemicals, they contain the exact nutrients needed for your garden. However, these chemicals can be toxic, which is no good for gardens where children and pets play.
It’s easy to over-fertilize when using chemical fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can make your garden worse than it was before. If your garden needs a bit more care or has insect or weed problems, tougher, synthetic fertilizers are best.
Be careful to avoid fertilizer burn, though! This shows up as scorched, yellowing patches on the grass. The best way to treat fertilizer burn is by watering your grass as soon as you spot it. If you’re not sure the product is right for your grass, do a soil test beforehand.
Using granular fertilizers makes it easier to create an even application – you can see exactly where you’re spreading them. They come in two different types:
Quick release, which provides nitrogen to your lawn straight away. This will last between 3-4 weeks before reapplying, depending on temperature and rainfall. This kind of fertilizer is water-soluble.
The other kind of granular fertilizer is water-insoluble. This version can last much longer – up to 12 weeks -, making it easier to maintain your garden through this method. While the time estimate may vary depending on rainfall, you don’t need to apply this kind of granular fertilizer nearly as often. Because they are slower releasing, they also produce a more even growth, and the burning that can be caused by nitrogen is less likely with this method. This option is the best for long-term benefits.
Liquid fertilizers are the most fast-acting kinds of fertilizers. They often come as a concentrate that mixes with water. You can integrate the application into your usual watering routine, saving you from doing both jobs separately. Plants also absorb this kind of fertilizer much faster through roots and leaves (known as foliar growth), giving them a better appearance more quickly. But this means you need to reapply more often – usually every 2-3 weeks.
This is a great option if you are in a hurry, but you will have to remember to keep applying regularly. This kind of fertilizer is great for plants in containers and lawns. This option is excellent for a quick fix.
And as a bonus, because they are so quickly absorbed, the plants react to the nutrients faster. This gives them an extra boost to get them going, making it a good fertilizer to use at the start of a new growing season. You can also use liquid fertilizer as a supplement to granular fertilizer, especially during rainy seasons, as water dilutes the concentration of nutrients in the soil.
All-Purpose Fertilizer Vs. Specific Fertilizer
Only needing to buy one kind of fertilizer for all areas of your garden during all seasons can be really useful. However, if you have a vast selection of different plants, this may not be the right option for you, as different plants need different nutrients. Vegetables, for example, need potassium and phosphorous, which is different from regular grass.
You may not get the best out of your plants if you’re using one fertilizer that isn’t specifically designed for this purpose. Also, if you’re using the fertilizer for vegetables, you need to make sure the fertilizer is specifically designed for edible plants.
By purchasing specific fertilizer for each area, you can be sure to get the best out of your garden and help it to reach its full potential. If you’re only worried about your lawn, then an all-purpose fertilizer will be just fine.
All-Season Fertilizer Vs. Season Specific Fertilizer
Like all-purpose fertilizer, all-season fertilizer is great for convenience as you only need to use one kind all year round. Season-specific fertilizers are specially designed to equip your garden with the help it needs in that given climate. For example, most fertilizers used in warmer seasons often benefit from aiding water retention in roots, which means better root growth, and your grass requires less watering.
They also prepare plants for hot weather and droughts. Alternatively, the fertilizers made for use in fall or winter are designed to prepare the plants for spring.
What is Lawn Fertilizer?
Lawn fertilizer creates healthy grass, reducing the growth of weeds and pests by enhancing the soil with the right nutrients. These are absorbed through the grass roots that plants need to grow. There are many different kinds of fertilizer, but essentially, they all help your garden become more resilient and look more vibrant. They’re great for maintaining new grass and fixing an old yard.
What do the Numbers on Lawn Fertilizer Mean?
The numbers explain the number of valuable nutrients contained in the fertilizer. The first number is always the quantity of nitrogen the fertilizer contains, the second is the amount of phosphate, and the third is potash. These are the three primary nutrients in all fertilizers, although some contain extra ingredients for specific uses, such as iron.
How to Apply Lawn Fertilizer with a Spreader
Spreaders are the most efficient way to apply your fertilizer. Learning how to use one is super easy. You set the flow rate using the dial or lever on the spreader and go from there. It’s quicker than doing it by hand. There are hundreds of videos on the internet that will show you how to use one properly.
Fertilizers provide you with the best quality garden. There are lots of types of fertilizers for different needs, and they all make your garden look better and become healthier. Whether you want to spend time growing flowers and vegetables or just want a great lawn for the kids to play on all year round, you’re bound to find a fertilizer that suits your needs.
This guide has broken down all the facts, explaining all the different benefits of fertilizers and how they work. With our product reviews, you can easily determine which fertilizer is best for you and your garden.
How to Fix Patchy Grass: Causes, Solutions, and Maintenance Tips
10 Best Lawn Sweepers in 2022
10 Best Fertilizer Spreaders in 2022
At Best of Machinery, we deliver tips, tricks and helpful guides for your everyday DIY and gardening needs.