Best Lawn Fertilizer N-P-K Numbers
Do a Google search and you can spend ALL day reading about the best N-P-K fertilizer numbers for lawns. After TWO YEARS of actual testing and research we have concluded the following.
Number One: 99% of home owners in the United States never get a soil test done. (Fact)
Number Two: The majority of University, scientific studies, and turf professionals say… “Lacking a soil test, an 8-1-2 to a 4-1-2 N-P-K fertilizer number mix is the best choice for overall lawn quality.” (Fact)
Below you will find just a FEW of the quotes from the 100s of studies online about best n-p-k fertilizer numbers for lawns.
University of Illinois Ext – N-P-K Comments
Recommended ratios of N-P-K for lawn fertilizers include 3:1:2 or 4:1:2.
https://extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/planting/choosing_fertilizers_for_home_lawns.cfm
Oklahoma State Ext – N-P-K Comments
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2299/HLA-6420web.pdf
UGA Ext (Centipede) – N-P-K Comments
If soil testing is not used, a general purpose fertilizer with a 3-1-2 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio such as 12-4-8 is good.
http://caes2.caes.uga.edu/commodities/turfgrass/georgiaturf/Turfgras/Assets/L313%20Centipede.pdf
University of Nebraska– N-P-K Comments
ideal fertilizer ratios for different cool-season species 4-1-3 to 8-1-4
https://turf.unl.edu/NebGuides/Ideal%20Fertilizer%20Ratio.pdf
NC State Ext – N-P-K Comments
However, In the absence of a soil test, use a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio. For example 12-4-8 is a commercial fertilizer that has the ratio 3-1-2.
https://caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/02/time-to-fertilize-your-tall-fescue/
Texas A&M Ag Ext – N-P-K Comments
In the absence of soil test information, apply a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 2-1-1 ratio
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/ornamentals/lawnfert/lawnfert.html
Mississippi State Unv Ext – N-P-K Comments
Complete fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (potash) can be used on landscapes and turf. It is generally best to look for an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2
Unv of Florida Ext Office – N-P-K Comments
Turf grasses require the macro nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in greatest quantities. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) are required in smaller quantities. The micro nutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chlorine (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), and boron (B) are required in very minute quantities. Micro nutrients are as essential as the macro nutrients, but are required in much smaller amount.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH01400.pdf
University of Kentucky AG School ↓
University of Idaho – N-P-K Comments
Lawns do best when fertilized with a fertilizer having a 3:1:2:1 ratio of N, P, K,
https://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS0846.pdf
Washington State Ext – N-P-K Comments
In western Washington, deficiencies of phosphorus and potassium are common; therefore, fertilizers with a 3-1-2 or 6-1-4 ratio of N-P-K usually give best results.
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0482/eb0482E.pdf
Unv of Missouri Ext – N-P-K Comments
For routine maintenance where a soil test or experience indicates no major deficiencies, use a lawn fertilizer with an approximate ratio of 3:1:1 or 4:1:1 or 4:1:2 at recommended rates according to the schedule
https://extension2.missouri.edu/g6705
Unv Mass– N-P-K Comments
If a soil test is not immediately available, a fertilizer ratio of about 3-1-2 to 5-1-2 is normally recommended for turf.
https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/understanding-turf-fertilizer-label
NC Ext ↓
The best n-p-k numbers for the majority of lawns is a 4-1-2 to an 10-1-2 ratio. Your lawn may also require some MICRO nutrients so they are also included in the Super Juice formula. There are MANY OPINIONS out there, but in the end the overall consensus is that a balance fertilizer n-p-k ratio, along with needed micro nutrients is the best general fertilizer for most lawns.
Also added for lawn health are Humic Acids and sea kelp.
