Choosing the Right Lawn Fertilizer: Focus on Nitrogen

Fertilizer aisles can be overwhelming, but grass doesn’t read labels. Products with similar nutrient ratios (e.g., 30-3-9 vs. 29-3-4) perform nearly identically. Compare value by looking at the first number (nitrogen). A quick rule: divide the nitrogen percentage into 100 to get pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. (e.g., 30-3-9 → 3.3 lbs/1,000 sq. ft.).

Slow-Release Matters

Better brands include a portion of slow-release nitrogen for steady feeding. If numbers are similar, buy on price.