Plant Science

AOP's focus is on organic or natural plant enhancing products. We carefully evaluate the materials to ensure they do not contain heavy metals or impurities. Many fertilizer materials are by-products of smelters or industry but we avoid using these materials as we only choose the highest grade available.

Effects of Amion Acids on Plants

Every plant like any organism needs certain components for growth over and above soil, sun, rain and air. The basic component of living cells is Proteins, with building block material, Amino Acids. Proteins are formed by sequence of Amino Acids. Plants synthesize Amino Acids from the Primary elements, the Carbon and Oxygen obtained from air, Hydrogen from water in the soil, forming Carbon Hydrate by means of photosynthesis and combining it with the Nitrogen which the plants obtain from the soil, leading to synthesis of amino acids, by collateral metabolic pathways. Only L-Amino Acids are part of these Proteins and have metabolic activity.

The requirement of amino acids in essential quantities is well known as a means to increase yield and overall quality of crops.

The application of amino acids for foliar use is based on its requirement by plants in general and at critical stages of growth in particular. Plants absorb Amino Acids through Stomas and is proportionate to environment temperature. Amino Acids are fundamental ingredients in the process of Protein Synthesis. About 20 important Amino Acids are involved in the process of each function. Studies have proved that Amino Acids can directly or indirectly influence the physiological activities of the plant.

Amino Acids are also supplied to plant by incorporating them into the soil. It helps in improving the microflora of the soil thereby facilitating the assimilation of nutrients.

Foliar Nutrition in the form of Protein Hydrolysate (Known as Amino Acids Liquid) and foliar spray provide readymade building blocks for Protein synthesis.

 

Protein Synthesis

Proteins have a structural function, metabolic function (enzymes), a transport function and a stock of Amino Acids function. Only L - Amino Acids are assimilated by plants. D - Amino Acids are not recognised by the enzymatic locus and therefore can not participate in protein synthesis. Hence Amino Acids obtained by organic synthesis are not well assimilated.

 

Stress Resistance

Stress such as High temperature, Low humidity, Frost, Pest attack, Hailstorm, Floods have a negative effect on plant metabolism with a corresponding reduction in crop quality and quantity. The application of Amino Acids before, during and after the stress conditions supplies the plants with Amino Acids which are directly related to stress physiology and thus has a preventing and recovering effect.

 

Effect of Photosynthesis

Plants synthesize carbohydrates by photosynthesis, Low photosynthesis rate implies a slow growth leading to death of the plant, chlorophyll is the responsible molecule for the absorption of the light energy.

Glycine and Glutamic Acid are fundamental metabolites in the process of formation of vegetable tissue and chlorophyll synthesis. These Amino Acids help to increase chlorophyll concentration in the plant leading to higher degree of photosynthesis. This makes crops lush Green.

 

Action on the Stomas

Stomas are the cellular structures that control the hydric balance of the plant, the macro and micronutrient absorption and the absorption of gases. The opening of the stomas is controlled by both external factors (light, humidity, temperature and salt concentration) and internal factors (amino acids concentration, abcisic acid etc.) The Stomas are closed when light and humidity are low & temperature and salt concentration are high, when stomas are closed photosynthesis and transpiration are reduced (low absorption of macro & micronutrients) and respiration is increased (Carbohydrate destruction) In this case the metabolic balance of the plant is negative. Catabolism is higher than anabolism. This implies slow metabolism and stops the plant growth.

L-glutamic acid acts as a cytoplasm osmotic agent of the "guard cells". Thus favouring the opening of the stomas.

 

Chelating Effect

Amino Acids have a chelating effect on micronutrients. When applied together with micronutrients, the absorption and transportation of micronutrients inside the plant is easier. This effect is due to the chelating action and to the effect of cell membrane permiability. L - Glycine & L - Glutamic Acid are known to be very effective chelating agents.

 

Amino Acids & PhytohOrmones

Amino Acids are precursors or activators of phytohormones and growth substances. L - Methionine is precursor of ethylene and of growth factors such as Espermine and Espermidine, which are synsthesized from 5 - Adenosyl Methionine. L - Tryptophan is precursor for Auxin synthesis. L - Tryptophan is used in plants in L - Form only. L - Tryptophan is available only if hydrolysis of Protein is carried out by enzyme. If hydrolysis is carried out by acid or alkali, as done in many European countries, L - Tryptophan is destroyed. L - Arginine induces synthesis of flower and fruit related hormones.

 

Pollination and Fruit Formation

Pollination is the transport of pollen to the pistil, so fecundation and formation of the fruit is possible. L - Proline helps in fertility of Pollen. L - Lysine, L - Methionine, L -Glutamic Acid are essential amino acids for pollination. These amino acids increase the pollen germination and the length of the pollinic tube.

 

Equilibrium of Soil Flora

The equilibrium of the microbial flora of the agriculture soil is a basic question for a good mineralisation of the organic matter and also for a good soil structure and fertility around the roots. L-methionine is precursor growth factors that stabilize the cell walls of the microbial flora.

 

General

L - Glutamic Acid & L - Aspartic Acid, by transamination give rise to the rest of the amino acids. L - Proline & Hydroxy Proline act mainly on the hydric balance of the plant strengthening the cellular walls in such a way that they increase resistance to unfavourable climatic conditions. L - Alanine, L - Valine & L - Leucine improve quality of fruits. L - Histidine helps in proper ripening of fruits.2

 

AMINO ACIDS OBTAINED BY ENZYME
HYDROLYSIS - A FEW FACTS

  1. CONSISTS OF TWENTY AMINO ACIDS.
  2. ALL AMINO ACIDS ARE IN L FORM (NATURAL FORM) & ARE ABSORBED QUICKLY & EASILY BY PLANTS.
  3. NO CYCLIZATION OF GLUTAMINE WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR ENERGY METABOLISM.
  4. NO DESTRUCTION OF ASPARGINE WHICH HAS ACTIVE ROLE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION.
  5. TRYPTOPHAN WHICH IS STARTING MATERIAL FOR SYNTHESIS OF AUXIN IS AVAILABLE IN L FORM.
  6. SERINE & THREONINE ARE FREE & IN L FORM.
  7. ASPARTIC ACID & GLUTAMIC ACID WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT AMINO ACIDS ARE AVAILABLE IN FREE L FORM FOR EASY ABSORPTION.
  8. AMIDE NITROGEN IS NOT FORMED.
  9. HIGH PERCENTAGE OF BIOLOGICAL VALUE & NUTRITIVE VALUE.
  10. NO INORGANIC NITROGEN IS PRESENT.
  11. HIGH QUALITY OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD EXPORTED WORLD OVER.
  12. CONSUMPTION IS AT LEVEL OF 250 ml. PER ACRE, 2-3
  13. SPRAYS. EXCESS DOSE IS NON TOXIC

 

First Category In The Organic vs. Non Organic Fertilizer Debate: Advantages

Advantages Of Organic Fertilizer

  1. Better for the soil: provides organic matter essential for microorganisms. It is one of the building blocks for fertile soil rich in humus.
  2. Nutrient release: slow and consistent at a natural rate that plants are able to use. No danger of over concentration of any element, since microbes must break down the material.
  3. Trace minerals: typically present in a broad range, providing more balanced nutrition to the plant.
  4. Won’t burn: safe for all plants with no danger of burning due to salt concentration.
  5. Long lasting: doesn’t leach out since the organic matter binds to the soil particles where the roots have access to it.
  6. Fewer applications required: once a healthy soil condition is reached, it is easier to maintain that level with less work.
  7. Controlled growth: does not over-stimulate to exceptional growth which can cause problems and require more work.
  8. Stronger plants and grass: greater resistance to disease and insect attacks.
  9. Beneficial to environment. Won’t build up harmful residues or cause pollution due to run-off from irrigation or rain.
  10. Encourages soil life. Microbes convert the organic matter to the form of nutrients that plants need. Earthworms feeding on organic materials aerate and loosen the soil.
  11. Specific formulas: adapt to any application by changing the ingredient blend. Pre-blended formulas or individual items allow flexibility for plant preferences or needs.

Advantages of Chemical Fertilizer

  1. Readily available: as the most common form used, it is found everywhere.
  2. Formula variety: it is easy for chemical companies to vary the elements to produce blends for different seasons and for specific plants.
  3. Fast acting. Usually see results within 1-2 weeks if the formula used is appropriate for the season.
  4. Inexpensive: typically, except for the better quality blends that have controlled release pellets.
  5. Ease of application: using fertilizer spreaders. Rates and settings are usually calculated and displayed on bag.
  6. Multiple forms: available in pellets, granules, liquid, tablets, spikes, and slow-release, to suit every preference.

 

Second Category In The Organic vs. Non Organic Fertilizer Saga: Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizers

  1. Slow to release nutrients. Cooler soil temperatures are not as conducive to the release of elements.
  2. Dependent on microorganisms in the soil to break down organic material. Soils depleted of these beneficial microbes further delay the results from organics.
  3. More expensive than chemical fertilizer applied to equal square footage. Some retailers do not offer larger size bags that would make it more economical.
  4. Application less convenient in some forms. Meal form, unlike pellets, is difficult to apply on large areas like lawns.
  5. Residue in liquid forms: some, like fish concentrate, may not be finely strained, and clogging of sprayers can occur.
  6. Pets may be attracted to certain natural fertilizers. Dogs may want to roll in it, dig, or get into the bag, especially with blood meal or bone meal.
  7. Limited availability in some areas. All of the blends may not be offered, or the choice of individual ingredients may be limited, depending on locale.
  8. Can attract bugs in storage if not protected in sealed containers (not paper bags).
  9. Animal manures that are not fully composted can cause problems when used directly as fresh fertilizer. Homemade natural fertilizers are not automatically a good idea.

Disadvantages Of Chemical Fertilizers

  1. Water soluble in most forms. Since water releases the nutrients, it is not uncommon to lose one-third of the nutrients by leaching out of the soil before the plant can access them.
  2. Short life span, unless using a controlled release form.
  3. Doesn’t build up the soil. The basic synthetic elements contribute nothing to enhance soil fertility.
  4. May decrease soil fertility. Chemical nitrogen stimulates the growth of existing microorganisms, which then use up organic matter in the soil. Repeating this cycle regularly leaves soil depleted.
  5. Excess growth can occur with some varieties or with surplus application. This results in more mowing or pruning, places stress on roots, causes heavier grass stains on clothes from lawns.
  6. Danger with incorrect application. Potential of harm from excess, especially lawns getting coverage overlap.
  7. Salt burn risk. Synthetic fertilizer is salt. Over-concentration can cause dehydration and plant tissue is destroyed.
  8. Trace nutrients missing, in many synthetic blends. Excess of major nutrients can bind up other nutrients in the soil, making them unavailable to the plant.
  9. Environmental problems occur with chemical run-off.
  10. Excess phosphorous can collect in the soil and cause pollution problems.
  11. Nitrogen is volatile: is lost easily into the atmosphere when fertilizer is left on the ground and not watered into the soil. It is also lost from bags in storage, if not sealed properly.
  12. Absorbs moisture easily in storage. This results in caking, or hard fertilizer, which is difficult or impossible to use.
  13. Iron stains. When added to formula, it is water soluble and can leave rust stains on concrete if not handled correctly.
  14. High energy consumption required to produce these products.

 

Evaluate The Long Term Consequences

You can probably find something useful in this list to support whichever approach you want to take. The organic vs. non organic fertilizer discussion is likely to continue for some time. Both proponents have strong vested interests in their position.

The roots of the modern chemical fertilizer industry are found in the middle 1800’s. A German chemist, Justus von Liebig, discovered nitrogen and other elements to be essential for plant growth. His book proposed that adding these chemical elements to soil would produce an abundance of food and eliminate hunger in the world.

This noble goal was never realized, though the next century saw chemical fertilizers become the main stream agricultural approach. A British scientist, Sir Albert Howard, questioned this in the early 20th Century. He realized that a more important determinant of plant growth was the health of the soil. He was ridiculed during his life, but his writings later became the basis for the modern organic farming and gardening movement.

Healthy soil produces healthy plants. The health of people, animals, and the environment is improved with using organic vs. non organic fertilizer. It appears the pendulum of change is swinging in the direction of going natural.

 

Organic Lawn Fertilizer:

It's About Time!

The point is, to get a healthy lawn, you must first make a conscious decision. Do you want to simply have a lawn that is there, and worry about it as little as possible? Or do you want to embark on a program based on sound, wholesome environmental principles that will build up a strong, disease resistant lawn?

Those are trick questions. Either choice does not take you in different directions for lawn care. You get both results when you subscribe to the premise that healthy soil below ground produces healthy trouble-free grass above.

Look at these key features of organic lawn fertilizer, then decide if it’s right for you.

What Exactly Is Natural, Organic Lawn Fertilizer?

It is any natural material containing elements that provide nutrition to plants. This group is quite broad. It basically includes raw, organic (carbon-based) materials derived from plant or animal sources. Examples are alfalfa, blood and bone meal, cottonseed, feathers, fish, kelp, worm castings, manures and compost.
These materials do more than simply add nutrients for plant growth. In contrast, that is the sole purpose of synthetic chemical fertilizer. Organic lawn fertilizers also contribute physical structure and organic material to the soil. These substances interact with everything that exists in the ground. They are essential in providing the optimal conditions for fertile soil and steady, controlled growth.

What Are The Benefits Of Organic Fertilizer?

Benefits For You:

  1. It lasts longer. Apply it less frequently. Organic material takes longer to break down. It does not quickly leach out of the soil with watering.
  2. Gives consistent, steady results since it releases nutrients slowly, at a rate the grass can use them.
  3. Doesn't over-stimulate lush growth causing more frequent mowing or extra clippings.
  4. Worry free. Spills won't cause burning or clean-up difficulties. Over-application causes no problem.
  5. Fewer related problems from chemical residues and run-off.
  6. One less time handling chemicals.

Benefits For The Soil:

  1. Adds organic matter that builds soil fertility.
  2. Feeds the billions of soil microorganisms that are essential in the nutrient exchange with plants.
  3. Improves the structure of soil to reduce compaction.
  4. Maintains steady moisture levels with organic matter present.
  5. Encourages earthworm population. They improve aeration and drainage.

Benefits For The Grass:

  1. Adds organic matter that builds soil fertility.
  2. Feeds the billions of soil microorganisms that are essential in the nutrient exchange with plants.
  3. Improves the structure of soil to reduce compaction.
  4. Maintains steady moisture levels with organic matter present.
  5. Encourages earthworm population. They improve aeration and drainage.

How Do You Select And Use The Right Materials?

Organic lawn fertilizers and amendments are now readily available. Many companies produce only these type of products. As their value gets recognized, some of the big name chemical companies have also started to offer an organic product line. How do you decide what to try?

What to Select :

  • Pellets or granules are much easier to apply than the meal form.
  • Select a pre-blended product that contains many organic materials. This is easier than getting several individual items and mixing them yourself.
  • Beneficial microbes (myccorrhizae) are added to some brands of organic lawn fertilizer. This stimulates the natural life cycle in the soil. It is necessary if your soil is sterile from chemical use. Once your lawn is healthy, the extra expense for these additions may not be warranted.
  • If a specific organic lawn fertilizer is not offered, use an all purpose blend or one with a higher nitrogen level. (Learn about NPK Fertilizer Numbers)
    No choice of the organic product mix is incompatible with lawns, another advantage.
  • Check the bag for numerous small holes that would indicate bugs got inside. They don’t make the product unusable, rather suggest the bag is quite old.

How to Apply :

  • Use the same applicator as you would for chemical fertilizers. The bag should give settings. Or spread it by hand with no worries about over-doing it.
  • Mow the grass first so product will more easily fall through to the soil.
  • Water thoroughly after application, but not to the point it runs off.
  • Pets and kids won’t be harmed by it. Dogs may be attracted to blends having bone or blood meal, so keep them away until it is watered in.
  • Ignore the instructions on the bag regarding when to reapply. They want to sell as much product as possible. Read When To Fertilize Lawns (coming soon).

Other Tips On Use :

  • Organic lawn fertilizer will not produce results as fast as chemicals. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the grass is looking bad.
  • Fall is the best time to apply. Reserves will be stored for the spring growth.
  • Spring applications are fine. Organics depend on warmer soil temperatures for the microorganisms to get busy. This can delay visible results.
  • Summer application is fine. It won't over-stimulate grass. Try to coordinate your fertilizing according to the growth pattern typical of your variety, warm or cool season grasses.
  • Store extra product sealed in a cool, dry place, not out in the sun to bake. A small trash can with lid works great.

Are There Concerns With Using Animal Manure?

Instead of specific, blended organic lawn fertilizer, chicken or steer manures are also used. They are relatively inexpensive. Consider this before applying :

Steer Manure:

  • Can be very “hot” depending on how well it was composted, and how fresh it is. Don’t put it on a lawn if you can feel heat through the bag.
  • Use very small amounts. Unlike other organics, too much can be trouble.
  • Contains urine salts. These can burn if applied too heavily.
  • Water thoroughly after applying. Don’t let it sit all day without watering!
  • It has an “aroma” that can last for 2-3 days.
  • Look for brands that say “weed free” on the bag. Cheaper products may not be processed in a way that eliminates weeds.

Chicken Manure:

  • Very good source of nutrients, IF it is a bagged product. Then it is usually fully composted and ready to use.
  • Don’t apply fresh from the local farmyard. Possible problems are burning and bacteria.
  • Don’t exceed the amount recommended on the bag. Water it in good.

Other homemade lawn fertilizer from manure (rabbit or goat) could be used after being fully composted, aged, and screened to a usable particle size.

Do Organic Fertilizers Cost More?

The shelf price is cheaper for many chemical varieties compared to organic lawn fertilizer. However, the best chemical fertilizer types are in slow-release form. They are more expensive, but worth the difference. The cost of organics should be closer in range to these.

Here’s the bonus question. What does it cost to apply a $15.00 bag that needs four or five applications? Try $60-75, plus your time and labor. Or apply natural, organic lawn fertilizer twice a year at $25-30 each time, with half the time and labor. Which sounds like a better deal?

This example depends on you having a lawn that is not starved and desperate for organic material. If so, it is best to apply an extra feeding or two the first year, then cut back to less. Also, organic lawn fertilizers combined with a natural preemergent would cost more. But these may be the best approach to a weed-infested, unhealthy lawn.

Apply less expensive organic soil amendments between each fertilizing to build up the soil. Just a thin top dressing will keep the cycle going.

You Don’t Have To Be An Organic Fanatic

At the garden center, I encountered some reluctance by people to use organic fertilizer. I recommended that they try organic products first for their vegetable garden, then for their flower garden. They could just use the “regular fertilizer” on their lawn. They loved the results with the organics.

Then it struck me. Lawns take the most abuse of all the plants in your yard. Constant mowing interrupts its growth process = stress. Activity of all kinds on it = stress. Why expect grass to do more with less?

Successful athletes place great importance on their nutritional intake. A healthy lawn requires, and benefits greatly from, the same resources. Try going organic! Lawn fertilizer never looked, or worked, so good!

Do You Want To Know What Chemical Fertilizer Can Do?

If You Plan To Use Chemical Fertilizer,
Heed This Advice.

Picture yourself hungry on a busy day. You won’t be able to stop for a meal. You grab a candy bar. It takes the edge off. You go strong for a while. Then you crash.

Picture your lawn. It’s not very green. You give it a dose of super-green-up-nitrogen-fertilizer. You just gave it the equivalent of a candy bar.

It can be that bad. Chemical fertilizer is a short-term solution for a long term need. If using it is your best option, the objective is to lessen any negative impact. You can learn to do that and get better, long-lasting results.

How Does Chemical Fertilizer Affect Plants?

These best selling products from the chemical companies are a synthetic source of nutrients. Grass and vegetables are the hungriest of all the plants in your garden. Nutrients in the soil may not be readily available to them. The plant’s growth or appearance then suffers.

Chemical fertilizers are designed to meet those needs. It is the easiest form of nutrients to apply. They come in many different combinations of ingredients.

The advantage comes by isolating the individual nutrients. You can get different formulas and types for unique applications. Specific products are tailored for specific plants, like grass.

The good effects include the quick uptake of nutrients by grass. This depends on using the correct type at the correct time. More on this below.

The bigger question is how does a synthetic fertilizer affect things in a negative way, even canceling out the good results it produces?

Disadvantages Of Chemical Fertilizer

Why is synthetic fertilizer bad?

  • It is basically salt. This is why you hear of plants being “burned” when fertilizers are applied incorrectly. Water is pulled out of the plant roots and foliage by the imbalance of salt in the soil.
  • It is typically short lived. This type of fertilizer has to be water soluble to release its nutrients. The more you water, the quicker they leach out of the soil.
  • It diminishes soil fertility. Chemicals push soil micro-organisms to consume organic material. If nothing is added to replenish this organic supply, the plant has even less to pull from than before.
  • The frequency of application tends to increase. The cycle of needing to provide another nitrogen fix escalates as the soil fertility decreases.
  • Other problems can be caused by using chemical fertilizer incorrectly. Certain lawn diseases worsen in the presence of excess nitrogen. Weeds may start to dominate the lawn, when the grass is thin to start with and the weeds are many.

When chemical fertilizers don’t work right,
you lose.When they work right, you still lose?
“The more you use, the more it grows. The more it grows, the more you mow. The more you mow…”
…the more you wonder why you wanted a lawn in the first place!

Don’t worry. There’s a way to compensate for all this.

The Composition Of Chemical Fertilizer Affects Results

Each of the nutrients in a formula is for a specific purpose. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the major elements. The N-P-K ratio you see on the label can tell you a lot. What balance is best for your lawn? (Learn about NPK Fertilizer Numbers.)

Grass needs primarily nitrogen. Chemical fertilizers supply this from different sources. The common types of nitrogen in fertilizer for turf are :

  • Ammoniacal
  • Nitrate
  • Urea
  • Water Insoluble

Each type of lawn food will have different amounts of any or all of these nitrogen sources. Why does that matter?

It affects the cost. More importantly, your results depend on using the appropriate type for your lawn. Learn the details at Labels: Understanding a List of Fertilizer Ingredients. (coming soon)

Ready For Practical Fertilizer Tips?

Reading all that information doesn’t automatically translate into making a good selection at the store. Do you want a summary of all those details?

Here are tips for evaluating synthetic fertilizer. Use them to select different products depending on the time of the year and where you need to use it.

  • During cooler weather (especially lower soil temperatures) use a higher level of Nitrate nitrogen.
  • Sandy soil, decomposed granite, any soil with minimal organic matter (few micro-organisms) will not get good results with high Ammoniacal nitrogen.
  • Ammoniacal Nitrogen tends to last longer as it gets transformed, and it won’t wash out of the soil.
  • Lots of water will flush Nitrate nitrogen quickly out of the soil. A good reason not to fertilize in hot weather if you water more.
  • Water insoluble nitrogen sounds like it won’t be used. Instead, it is preferred. The higher the number the better.
  • Urea nitrogen will give quick greening during warm weather. (Just don’t use it straight on your lawn, only in a blend. If you make a mistake, see tips on new grass seed!)

Water insoluble or slow-release nitrogen will provide long-lasting green color.

 

A Better Quality Fertilizer Pellet

More expensive chemical fertilizers usually do offer extra value to go with the price. A homogenous pellet has all the ingredients combined in one little sphere. This is the preferred form, although this feature is not always described on the bag.

The benefit is getting a balanced blend of all the nutrients everywhere you distribute the fertilizer. The alternative is to have each of the elements separate in the bag. They tend to be different sizes and weights. When you spread them, the results are very irregular.

The Very Best Chemical Fertilizer Pellet

You want that pellet to hang around as long as possible, right? Get a formula that is labeled as slow release or controlled release.

If the bag is not marked that way, observe the label for water insoluble nitrogen. This amount should be 20-30% or more. The higher it is, the longer it will last. The terms Ureaform or IBDU also indicate the pellet is coated with a slow dissolving material.

It costs more for a slow release chemical fertilizer. Here is where you save or benefit:

  • It can last twice as long as a regular formula.
  • It releases nutrients slow and steady. This means no excessive growth causing you to mow extra or deal with extra clippings.
  • Lawn appearance stays attractive and consistent.
  • Less chance of burning grass from spills or overlapping on application.
  • Prevents chemical pollution in other areas from run-off.
  • Fewer applications save you time.
  • One ‘pricey’ application may be less than two ‘cheap’ ones.

Deal Or No Deal?

Spending money on lawn fertilizer is something that most people would prefer not to do. How do you feel then, if you go to that expense and trouble, and find the results less than satisfactory?

A frequent question at the garden center was: “Do you have any fertilizer that will really work on my lawn?” Change that profile. Start making an investment in your lawn instead of spending, or wasting, money.

  • First, evaluate your fertilizer schedule. Other articles (coming later) on this site will help you follow a program that makes sense.
  • Second, take a few minutes to compare chemical fertilizer labels before you buy. Be educated. Do the best for your lawn. It will pay you back in many ways.
  • Third, fertilize less frequently, but more effectively, with a quality, slow-release fertilizer. Don’t bother with cheap products that will disappoint or even cause new problems.

What Is Your Final Answer?

Speaking of good, slow-release fertilizers, have you tried any natural fertilizers lately? It’s true that chemical fertilizers outsell organic fertilizers. But…

Could organic fertilizer be a smarter choice?

Before you continue with or embark on a chemical fertilizer program, consider an alternative. It’s worth looking at another option for a task that you’ll be doing for as long as you have a lawn. See The Differences Between Organic vs. Non-Organic Fertilizers.
Remember about that candy bar!