What To Know Before Using Liquid Lawn Fertilizer In Your Yard

If you want a bright, green lawn, watering it is not always enough. Using fertilizer is a great way to keep your lawn healthy and growing, but there are parameters as to when you should use fertilizer, and what kind you should use. While there are many different varieties of lawn fertilizer, the main two categories fall into granular and liquid fertilizer. Granular is the original version made of solid particles and is applied by hand, but liquid fertilizers have become increasingly more popular due to their ease of use and quick results. However, there are a few things to consider before using liquid lawn fertilizer, including when to use it and application methods.

According to House Digest's landscaping expert, Amira Gundel, the best type of fertilizer is organic, particularly a combination of compost and worm castings. But if you need the job done quickly, have a lawn in dire need of help, and don't have a green thumb, liquid lawn fertilizer can be a good option as long as you use it correctly. Here's what to consider and the best kind to use for a gorgeous green lawn.

There are pros and cons to all types of fertilizers, but there are two instances where you'll want to reach for the liquid variety over granular or organic: the lawn is new or the lawn is dying. The quick release can bring a fading lawn back to life before it becomes unfixable, while a fresh lawn can benefit from the liquid fertilizer, as the high salt content in granular fertilizer can often prevent new seeds from growing. If your grass is somewhere in the middle and needs a boost, don't just buy liquid fertilizer and start spraying. You only want to use liquid during warmer months and in the evening, as applying the salty solution to dry ground can prevent it from working properly.

The biggest thing to consider before using liquid lawn fertilizer is your soil. You want to make sure your soil is wet so it can absorb the fertilizer correctly. If your soil is not wet, water it or wait for a rainstorm before going in with the fertilizer. And while you will likely have to apply liquid fertilizer more often than granular, wet soil can at least prevent your lawn from becoming over-fertilized.

If the warmer months are creeping in and your grass is not sprouting up, you want to make sure you are using the right type of fertilizer to help it grow and remain healthy. When it comes to our lawn and the environment, natural fertilizers are a great option, and luckily, they have made the natural varieties in liquid form as well. The Dr. Earth High Nitrogen All Purpose Fertilizer 5-0-2 (available at Walmart for $51) is a popular choice, as it is made without any synthetic chemicals or toxic materials. Walmart reviewers love that it is safe for their kids and pets to walk on, and they also noted that while it did keep their lawn healthy, it didn't kill weeds as well as other fertilizers.

If weeds are your biggest lawn problem, consider using Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control, which you can purchase on Amazon for $19.99. Users love this option not only for the price, but also for the fact that it is organic and gentle on their plants, while still working just as well as other brands. Other options include the Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Food on Amazon for $23.77 or Purely Organic Liquid Lawn Food, found at Home Depot for $19.11. Whichever type you purchase, just be sure you are using it at the right time of year and checking your soil beforehand — if done correctly, that green grass you are vying for is only a spray, or two, away.