Choosing the best lawn fertiliser

Choosing the best lawn fertiliser is easier if you have a guide of characteristics and criteria to compare.

Salinity.

Fertilising the soil increases its salinity. Normally this increase is not very important, but it has to be taken into account in saline soils or in crops that are irrigated with poor quality water. The increase of salts in the soil causes the plants to have less access to the water in the soil, so that the fertiliser is not needed to increase the salinity of the soil. hydric stress will come sooner.

Organic and slow-release fertilisers are optimal if you have salinity problems.

Sodium nitrate is the inorganic fertiliser of reference for comparing the salinity of the rest. You can read more about the salt index here.

Acidity

Inorganic fertilisers have a response in the soil that must be known. The salts that are applied to the soil can change the pH, which conditions the growth of the turf. Depending on the type of soil and the type of turf, the pH should always be kept in mind. Here you can read more about the acidity of fertilisers.

Nitrogen fertilisers such as those containing ammonium sulphate (NH₄SO₄), ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) or calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) produce acidity, whereas potassium nitrate (2KNO₃) produces alkalinity.

How do I choose the right one?

Formulated lawn fertilisers are a good way to buy a product tailored to the needs of your lawn, although you can always buy components from agricultural stores at a lower cost. However, we always recommend avoiding fertilisers with high nitrogen concentrations such as universal fertilisers.

Highly nitrogenous fertilisers will result in a very vigorous, but disease and drought sensitive turf, will need frequent mowing and will consume more water and other nutrients.

It is a good idea to look for formulated lawn fertilisers on the market.

Slow-release fertilisers are much more suitable for lawns in general, they allow a well-nourished cover for long periods of 12 to 18 weeks, and they are not lost through rain or irrigation.

Many fertilisers are formulated for different times of the year, in summer and spring to facilitate rooting. In late winter with nitrogen to increase vigour and in autumn high in phosphorus to increase resistance to low temperatures. Many are accompanied by the micronutrients necessary for proper development, such as magnesium and iron.

Types of controlled release fertilisers.

• SCU - Sulfur Coated Urea - Sulfur Coated Urea

Sulphur can help lower pH, low cost. Release depends on microbial activity, grain size, protective wax, temperature and humidity.

• Polymer-Coated Urea/ Plastic/Resin-Coated Urea - Polymer/Coated Urea/ Plastic/Resin-Coated Urea.

Urea, nitrate or ammonium core with semi-permeable shell. Release occurs by processes osmotics. When the soil needs nutrients, they are released.

• IBDU - Isobutylidene Diurea

It provides nitrogen by low nitrogen because it is composed of slow dissolving elements.

• UF - Ureaformaldehydo

is broken down into polymer chains of different lengths, giving different release times. One third is released rapidly and two thirds depend on microbial degradation.

These covers may contain mixtures of fertilisers primary y secondary inside.

If you need help with the application calendar, please contact our engineers at Tiloom via soporte@tiloom.com.