Fertilizer rates can be difficult to comprehend. In spite of the printed instructions on fertilizer bags, they are centered on meeting consumer expectations rather than what the client needs.
It’s a little-known fact that you can change the rates based on your lawn’s individual demands and the amount of applications you make. If you know how to do the math, it’s not difficult.
Most fertilizer programs are based on two main factors: the amount of fertilizer needed, and the kind of soil.
- The sort of grass you’ve planted and the amount of nitrogen it requires each year.
- Over the course of a year, a fertilizer strategy based on the specific Nitrogen demands of your grass type.
In order to apply the proper amount of fertilizer, it is necessary to compute rates. Suppose your fertilizer contains 25 percent nitrogen, 4 percent phosphorus (Phosphorus), and 12 percent potassium (Nitrification). On the bag, it will look like this: 25-4-12.
The following link provides online conversions covering metric, imperial, and modern units of several countries for easy metric conversion of any value below. Metric Conversions, Weights, and Measures
How Much N-P-K Is in That Bag?
Let’s see how much Nitrogen (25) is actually in the bag based on the previous analysis of 25-4-12. The bag used in this illustration has a weight of 25 lbs.
Formula
The entire weight of the bag is multiplied with the percentage of Nitrogen to get the number of pounds of nitrogen.
The bag contains 6.25 pounds of nitrogen.
Using the formula,
N = 6.25 lbs (based on a 25-pound bag of fertilizer) X 0.25 (the bag’s 25 percent nitrogen analysis)
Other nutrients in the bag can be determined using the same formula.
Phosphorus in the bag is equal to 25 pounds x 0.04 (P).
By weight, the bag contains 3 pounds of Potassium.
6.25 lbs Nitrogen, 1lb Phosphorus and 3 lbs Potassium are contained in the bag. Regardless of what the fertilizer analysis is, you can still utilize the formula Replace the example’s weight and percentages with your own bag’s weight and percentages.
At that rate, you’ll be putting down 1.25 pounds of Nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. if the bag states 25-4-12 covers 5000 sq. ft. In other words, the answer to the question is In the case of centipedegrass, this rate of fertilizer will supply an excessive amount of nitrogen in a single application.
Calculating how much to apply per 1000 square feet of floorspace
Each year, depending on the type of grass you have, the total yearly Nitrogen is applied in a different number of doses. Fertilizer rates can vary widely, therefore it’s important to know how much fertilizer you need to apply in order to get the correct quantity of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet. In order to achieve the correct fertilizer rate, you need just know a simple formula.
Formula
When you know exactly how much nitrogen you need per 1000 square feet, use the calculation below to calculate how much fertilizer to apply. For this application, the “amount needed” refers to the pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet that you need to apply.
Subtract 100 from the amount to be applied per 1000 square feet, then multiply the result by a percentage of the nitrogen content of the bag. Using the fertilizer analysis 25-4-12, this is how it will look:
100 times the 25 percent, or.5 pounds, equals 2 pounds.
Explained
1/2 pound of nitrogen divided by 25% (the percentage of N in the bag) X 100 equals 2 lb of nitrogen fertilizer. This means that if you apply 2 pounds of fertilizer to 1000 square feet, you’ll get. Nitrogen content of 5 lb/sq.ft.
Do you know how much of the additional nutrients were used?
Nitrogen application is the primary focus of most programs, with the other nutrients following suit. It is imperative that you keep a record of the other nutrients you used.
You can use this calculation to determine how much of the other nutrients you applied in the 2lbs of fertilizer:
For every 1000 square feet of land, two pounds of fertilizer are sprayed at a rate of.08 ppm (Phosphorus).
Or
The amount of Phosphorus in the bag multiplied by the amount of fertilizer above 1000/sq.ft. equals the amount of Phosphorus applied.
Make use of the exact same procedure for (K)
2 lbs of fertilizer x.12 percent K =.24 (1/4 lb) K (Potassium) 1000/sq.ft..
In this case, you have two choices if the soil study shows that your soil is deficient in P or K and the fertilizer you intend to apply is deficient in P or K to address the problem.
However, if your soil study indicates that P or K is deficient, you can continue to use your regular fertilizer.
Look for an alternative fertilizer that has the same Nitrogen content, but higher levels of P or K.
The following are some possible examples: 17-17-17 or 20-10-15, 0-25-0 (P only), 0-0-50. (K only). The instances are limitless.
If your fertilizer spreader is not calibrated, even if you know the correct fertilizer rate, you may be applying the wrong quantity. It’s simple to adjust the spreader’s settings. You may find out how by clicking on the link below.
Creating a Plan for Fertilizing Your Lawn
A solid lawn fertilization program is the secret to a beautiful lawn. In both professional and amateur golf, there are several fundamentals that remain the same. To get started on your fertilization plan, click here.
Tips and Techniques for Lawn Winterization
Fertilizing cool-season grasses in the fall before winterization is critical. In contrast, warm-season grasses aren’t given the same level of care. Winterize both cool and warm season grasses using this guide.
Fertilizer’s Role in Preventing Lawn Decay
What is the significance of fertilizer? When grass isn’t fertilized, it will die, and this page explains why. It provides a variety of ways to keep your lawn healthy.
A Green Lawn’s Nitrogen Sources
Fertilizing a grass requires a lot of nitrogen. Different fertilizers, on the other hand, may supply nitrogen in different ways. Identify the many forms of nitrogen available, as well as when and how they should be used.
How to Take a Sample of Soil
Taking a soil sample is the first step in determining what is in your soil. Please click here for instructions on how to gather the best soil sample possible.
What you need to know about soil analysis
It can be difficult to decipher the soil analysis report’s findings. An explanation of common findings in most studies can be accessed by clicking here.
Calibration of Spreaders Is Now a Breeze!
Calibration of the spreader is now a breeze! Your spreader’s accuracy matters for both professional landscapers and homeowners alike. Everything you need to know about calibrating a broadcast or drop spreader may be found on this page.
