Just like humans need food, water, and shelter to survive, grass depends on certain elements to live – sixteen to be exact. Most of these elements are already naturally found in the environment, but several more need to be added to your lawn. Adding fertilizer with these three elements, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, works.

Before you rush to the store to buy a complete fertilizer, or one that contains all three, it is important to understand why the livelihood of your lawn depends on it.

Nitrogen – This is possibly the most important element your lawn needs. It makes the grass grow and gives it its green color. It will also allow for higher density, thick shoots, and robust growth, thus creating an environment that will naturally fight off pests and insects.

Potassium – Since you can’t dump bananas in your garden, your best bet for this mineral is to use fertilizer! Potassium improves your lawn’s ability to resist disease, drought, wear and tear, and cold weather.

Phosphorus: used to promote strong root growth in grass.

Most of the fertilizers that you will find at your local home and garden stores will contain these three elements. However, there are different amounts of each. This is reflected in a three-digit number, such as 30-10-10, which indicates the percentage of each in this order: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These mixes will serve different purposes. For example, more potassium in mixes is good for winterizing. Factors to consider are the type of lawn, the weather, the time of season, and the type of soil. Once you know what your needs are, you can determine the correct combination of these elements. An additional way to analyze your needs is to determine the current levels of these nutrients in your soil. This can be done by a simple pH test.

In addition to the variation in the percentages of the key elements, there are also different types of fertilizers to consider. There are four main options that will get you in the fertilizer aisle: Granular (slow and fast release), Liquid, Synthetic, and Organic.

Granular fertilizers are perhaps the most popular, probably due to their ease of use and durability. Since they are dry, they are much easier to spread. Granulated fertilizers can come in a slow-release formula, providing fertilization for two to six months.

This is an efficient option for homeowners, as you won’t need another application for months to come. Granular is also available in quick release and although applied in the same way, the nutrients are released faster and work better in cold weather. This method also costs less. However, lawn burns can occur and there will be an increased need for watering.

Liquid fertilizers are as the name implies, in liquid form. These are applied by connecting a hose and nozzle to a spray bottle. The contents of the bottle are usually in concentrated form, hence the need to mix it with water. If you can use a hose, this is an easy method, rather than spreading granulate around the garden. Also, since it is a liquid, the nutrients are immediately available to the roots of your vegetation. Herbicides can also be added or applied during this treatment. But since the results are immediate, the applications will need to be repeated more often than the granular ones, and since the liquid is more expensive to start with, it can be more expensive.

Synthetic fertilizers are generally manufactured chemically, which is why they are called synthetic. These engineered fertilizers offer immediate nutrient release and make lawns green. However, they are not natural and many argue that grass should be treated naturally. Synthetic fertilizer applications need to be repeated more frequently, as the results do not last as long. They can also burn your lawn if not applied properly.

Finally, organic fertilizers are made from organisms that once lived and their by-products. These are applied to the lawn using spreaders, rakes, and even by hand. Since it is a totally natural fertilizer, organics tend to decompose slowly when releasing nitrogen. They will improve the texture and density of your lawn, especially when added to the soil or sand of the lake bed. However, there are some drawbacks, including a foul smell in the case of compost. Also, these soils tend to have more nitrogen than other elements.

In short, when choosing a fertilizer, you need to consider many things: the current nutrition of your lawn, how much money you want to spend, how much work you want to invest in initial and repeat application, as well as personal preferences. But with the rise of technology, the options keep increasing as more combinations are introduced.