You may think that mowing the grass is all you need to do for your Northeast Ohio lawn, but the truth is, if you want your lawn to grow the extra yard, it will require a little more TLC than just a weekly trim.

That’s where fertilization comes in to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to stand tall and strong, all while being so vibrant and lush it’ll have the whole neighborhood green with envy.

In other words, fertilizer can help boost your lawn from the bottom up. You should note, however, that not all fertilizer is created equally.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a fertilizer, whether it be organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, or something in between.

So, how do you know which is right for your lawn?

In this article, we will talk about why fertilizer is so important, the difference between organic and chemical fertilizer, and how to decide which is best for you.

Lawn Fertility in Northeast Ohio

Fertilizer is key to a healthy lawn in Northeast Ohio.

Not only can fertilizer help your lawn grow, but it also can help it fend off potential threats like weeds, insects, and diseases.

Think about it. If you provide your grass with the proper nutrition, it’s more likely to be able to effectively stand up to these threats in the long run.

Organic vs Chemical Fertilizers

So, what’s the difference between organic and chemical fertilizers, anyway?

Organic Fertilizer Benefits

Organic fertilizers have a slower, more gradual release into the soil, so you may notice that it takes a little longer to see results than with chemical fertilizers.

They are made of organic material like compost, manure, and bone meal, but they may have a lower overall nutrient concentration.

Organic fertilizers can help improve the long-term soil health for the lawn by improving the soil structure, and the environmental impact of organic fertilizers is very low, so it’s safe for kids and pets. It also allows the soil to hold on to water and supports a lot of beneficial microbes, earthworms, and fungi that are present within the soil.

However, organic fertilizers can be bulkier and heavier, and because you’re working with organic material, they can have a tendency to smell bad.

The cost of organic fertilizers is typically higher than synthetics.

Chemical Fertilizers Impact

Synthetic, or chemical, fertilizers, on the other hand, release faster into the soil, meaning the nutrients go into the ground quickly, and you are likely to see results quicker.

Synthetic NPK fertilizers can include high-urea nitrogen (N), phosphorus (K), and a potassium (K) source such as potash. They tend to have a higher nutrient concentration, so you may not have to use as much product to see results.

Pro Tip: If you were to only use synthetic fertilizers in the spring and the fall–seasons during which your yard exhibits a higher growth rate–you may see more growth on the surface, meaning you would have to cut your lawn more often.

With synthetic fertilizers, you can also pinpoint the rates and the amounts of nitrogen that you're putting into the lawn, so you can be more precise in your application. They tend to be more convenient to use and consistent in their results and have a lower short term cost.

However, chemical fertilizers don’t provide as many soil health benefits as organic fertilizers. In fact, they may actually reduce the amount of biological activity happening within the soil.

It’s also possible to overfertilize and cause root burn or plant damage. For instance, if you accidentally spill the product on your lawn, you will very quickly see damage to the grass.

Synthetic fertilizers also leave more room for environmental concerns such as leaching and runoff.

Key Differences: Organic vs. Chemical Fertilizers

To recap, let’s take a look at the key differences side by side.

Benefits of Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers help improve overall soil health, are a sustainable fertilizing method, and are safer for kids and pets.

Drawbacks of Organic Fertilizers

Organics can produce slower results, typically cost more, and they have a higher variability. They also can be heavier and bulkier to work with and tend to stink.

Benefits of Synthetic Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers provide quick results, can be applied more precisely, and are generally more affordable.

Drawbacks of Synthetic Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers leave the potential for runoff and soil depletion and can be less safe for the environment, your family, and your pets.

Best Fertilizer for Northeast Ohio

As we have seen, there are pros and cons to both organic and synthetic fertilizers, so how do you decide?

Smarter Fertilizer, Healthier Lawns with Turf Pride

At Turf Pride, we give our customers the both worlds, as our granular organic-based fertilizer is a blend of organic and synthetic material. In fact, it’s 40% organic and 60% synthetic.

The organic part is made up of natural components like animal waste, plant residues, and minerals that improve the soil structure and amend the soil’s nutrition to make it better for the root systems, while the synthetic portion is made of urea and serves as a nitrogen source to help with top growth, especially in the springtime when all of the plant’s energy is pushed toward the blades and crowns of the grass.

On the other hand, fertilizing in the fall can actually give your grass something to feed on over the winter and encourage root development.

The best part about Turf Pride’s fertilizer blend? It’s considered safe for your kids and pets.

What’s more, our technicians have extensive knowledge of the region and understand what’s best for your lawn throughout the whole growing season.

Plus, fertilization is baked into our overall lawn care program, which also includes things like insect and weed control.

FAQs about Fertilizer

Is Turf Pride’s fertilizer blend safe for my family?

Yes, our technicians apply a granular organic-based fertilizer, which is considered safer than a purely synthetic fertilizer.

Does Turf Pride customize its fertilizer blends?

Our technicians may change up the formulation in some instances, for example, in the summer when the lawn may not require as much nitrogen as in other times of the season.

Can I enjoy my lawn after Turf Pride has fertilized?

Yes, you can enjoy your property the very same day our technicians visit. You can even mow the same day. We just ask that you keep kids and pets off the lawn for two hours so that the fertilizer has the chance to settle.

Do I need to do anything after Turf Pride’s technicians apply fertilizer to my lawn?

The fertilizer we use breaks down with or without rain, but watering the grass afterward can provide benefits for your lawn.

Get Expert Fertilization Advice for Your Mentor, OH Lawn

Are you still not sure which fertilizer is right for your lawn? Let the Northeast Ohio experts at Turf Pride help you decide.

If you’re located in Mentor or a surrounding area, call today to schedule a lawn evaluation or request a free fertilization quote today.