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What Essential Nutrients Are in Fertilizers & How Do They Benefit Grass?

Regularly applying fertilizer is instrumental to maintaining a strong and healthy lawn. But when it comes to the ingredients found in fertilizer, it turns out that not many people know what's in the stuff that's going onto their lawns. Well, we're here to tell you that your fertilizer contains many essential nutrients and micronutrients that all work together to keep your lawn in pristine condition. However, three nutrients stand above the rest: and those are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

Nitrogen is the nutrient responsible for stimulating growth and greening up your lawn. Potassium will increase your turf's resistance to pests, diseases, and dramatic temperature changes—making potassium vital to prepare your turf for the summer heat here in the Sarasota, FL area. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient that assists with the development of your lawn's roots and helps it establish a strong connection in your soil. Continue reading to learn more about these nutrients and how they benefit your grass!


Nitrogen promotes growth and will keep your grass green.

Vibrant green lawn from nitrogen component fertilizer in Sarasota, FL.

Nitrogen is a nutrient of many hats, but it's considered the most important essential nutrient of the big three because it's primarily responsible for stimulating grass growth. Nitrogen is a component of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins, so your grass absorbs nitrogen more than any other essential nutrient. Nitrogen is also responsible for producing the dark, green color you'll find in many healthy lawns. So, when aiming to create a dense and vibrant lawn, make sure you fertilize your grass with nitrogen!


Potassium increases your grass's resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.

Potassium component for fertilizer in palms of hands in Ellenton, FL.

Another essential nutrient to be aware of is potassium. Potassium activates the enzymes in your grass that are used in protein, sugar, and starch synthesis, making potassium the primary nutrient responsible for strengthening your lawn’s resistance to diseases and pests. So, if you need to help your grass fight off any lawn diseases like brown patch fungus, use a fertilizer rich in potassium. Not only that, but potassium can raise your turf's tolerance against environmental stressors such as droughts and cold weather, making it critical to apply when your grass needs to endure the more stressful seasons throughout the year.


Phosphorus helps your grass establish a strong root system.

Strong grass from fertilizer treatments in Sarasota, FL.

The third essential nutrient found in most fertilizers is phosphorus. Phosphorus will help you maintain a strong and healthy lawn. Phosphorus will also assist in the development of new grass seeds so that they can establish a strong root system in your soil. When you're thinking about starting a new lawn on your property, you want to use a fertilizer rich in phosphorus. After your turf has established strong roots, you only need to supply it with a modest amount of phosphorus.

Fertilizers are labeled with an N-P-K ratio that tells you the percentage of the three essential nutrients in the fertilizer. "N" for nitrogen, "P" for phosphorus, and "K" for potassium.


Give us a call today to sign up for our lawn fertilization program!

We can enrich your lawn with our nutrient-rich fertilizer! At Tropical Gardens Landscape, we have developed several lawn fertilization plans where we visit your property eight times throughout the year. We adjust the type of fertilizer we use based on the type of grass you have on your property. We service commercial, residential, and HOA properties in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and throughout the surrounding areas in Florida. Give us a call today at (941) 993-2442 to sign up for our lawn fertilization program and give your lawn the nutrients it needs to thrive! We look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful, lush lawn of your dreams.