The Three Macronutrients in Lawn Fertilizers & How They Help Your Grass

Lawn fertilizers provide nutrients that keep your grass in North Carolina healthy and strong. But what exactly are the nutrients found in fertilizers, and how do they benefit your lawn? These essential lawn care treatments contain three macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen is primarily responsible for boosting your lawn's overall health and green color, which is crucial for photosynthesis. Phosphorus promotes stronger and deeper roots, anchoring your lawn well into the soil so it can absorb nutrients and water. Meanwhile, potassium helps ensure your lawn stays stress-free throughout the growing season by boosting its resistance to harsh and stressful conditions, like drought, disease, hot summer weather, and frigid winter temperatures. All these nutrients should be applied at the right rate with the right balance to prevent causing harm to your lawn.

How does nitrogen help your grass?

Nitrogen makes up most of lawn fertilizers. It has the highest content in fertilizer products because it is the macronutrient that primarily drives the overall health and development of your grass. Nitrogen is a vital element in the production of chlorophyll, the green pigment that makes your lawn green and helps it produce food. When your lawn has enough chlorophyll and is green, it can absorb the right amount of sunlight that it will convert into energy. Because of this, your lawn will be healthier and in better shape!

This nutrient stimulates the development of your grass and ensures it is strong and resilient against stressors. When it receives enough nitrogen, your lawn will become thicker and have upright grass blades! The right amount of nitrogen should be applied, as too much can "burn" your lawn and cause it to turn brown.

How does phosphorus benefit your lawn?

Phosphorus is the macronutrient responsible for your lawn's root development. It fortifies the roots of your grass, allowing them to uptake more water and nutrients from the soil. By absorbing an adequate amount of resources, your lawn will have everything it needs to stay robust. What's more, a strong root system will anchor your lawn in the soil, giving it a strong, secure foundation.

Phosphorus is an essential component of starter fertilizers as well. It aids in transporting energy throughout your lawn and helps nitrogen in bolstering its overall growth. Because of this, germinating grass seedlings will have a much-needed growth boost as they develop their roots.

How does potassium help your grass?

Another macronutrient found in lawn fertilizers is potassium. This macronutrient will build up your lawn's resistance to harsh weather conditions, stress, and diseases. It helps your turf develop thicker cell walls so it is better equipped to survive the cold winter temperatures, extreme summer heat, and drought. Because of this, your lawn can more easily combat stress and stay healthy throughout the growing season. However, like the two other macronutrients, it has to be applied correctly. Too much potassium can affect the way your lawn absorbs other nutrients, leading to the deficiency of other resources.

Call us to schedule our lawn fertilization service as part of our full-service landscape maintenance program!

If you want your lawn to receive the essential macronutrients that promote healthy, lush growth all year long, we will help. Our team at Ideal Landscaping & Irrigation offers a full-service landscape maintenance program, which includes lawn fertilization treatments administered at the right time and frequency so your lawn receives consistent nourishment. This program also includes weed control to prevent weeds from stealing those nutrients, plus other essential services for a pristine, well-kept property year-round! We offer our full-service landscape maintenance program to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in and around Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Summerfield, NC. Give us a call today at (336) 396-9191 to enroll in this program!