Also called fast-acting or soluble fertilizer, quick-release fertilizer can rapidly deliver nutrients to your lawn. When applied, this potent fertilizer quickly dissolves in the soil — making the nutrients readily available for your grass.
While these fast-acting fertilizers can be a quick pick-me-up, they can cause fertilizer burn if misused. So, you must understand how they work, as well as when and how to use them.
What makes quick-release fertilizers different
Compared to a slow-release fertilizer, which takes time to deliver nutrients into the soil, a quick-release fertilizer has a more immediate effect. While the slow type has its own merits, especially when it comes to providing a consistent supply of nutrients, it has drawbacks that only a fast-release fertilizer can achieve.
If you want a lush lawn, it’s not a question of which is better between quick-release and slow-release fertilizer. The fact is, you need both. While slow-release fertilizers give a constant nutrition supply over time, fast-acting fertilizers provide you with a shortcut if your lawn needs a quick boost.
There are two different versions of fast-acting fertilizers:
- Water-soluble: The water-soluble version consists of nutrients already dissolved in water. This formulation makes it easy for the soil to break down the fertilizer, allowing quick absorption by the grassroots.
- Inorganic salts: Commonly in the form of granules or pellets, these salts have the nutrients bound into them. When they’re watered in, the salts dissolve and the nutrients are released.
How quick-release fertilizers work
Regardless of the version, the logic behind a fast-acting fertilizer is to make the nutrients ready for consumption as quickly as possible. It’s like consuming vegetables in the form of a smoothie or juice instead of eating them, bypassing the chewing process.
Quick-release fertilizers take effect almost instantly because they have higher concentrations of the three primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or N-P-K. However, you can’t just apply fast-acting fertilizers (or any other type of fertilizer) without taking your soil test results into consideration.
Rich Koenig, extension soil specialist at Utah State University, emphasizes, “A soil test report will be accompanied by interpretations and nutrient recommendations for your specific conditions.”
Most common types of fast-release fertilizers
While different types of fast-acting fertilizers are available, the important thing to remember is to choose the formula recommended by your current soil test results. Once you’ve determined the specific nutrients and amount needed, it will be easier to pick the type of fast-release fertilizer:
- Powder: This water-soluble fertilizer easily dissolves into water, allowing the nutrients to become readily available for your turf once it’s applied. The drawback is they usually come in small packages, so using them for large lawns can be tedious.
- Liquid: Preferred by most homeowners, the liquid type requires no effort to mix since it’s already blended with water. In general, all you have to do is attach the package to your garden hose, turn on the water, and spray it. To be certain, read and follow the specific instructions on the packaging label.
- Concentrate: This type is often used by lawn care companies because it allows them to create the right nutrient mix specific to the lawn they’re working on. Since concentrated solutions are very potent, there’s a great risk of killing the lawn. So, it’s best to let the pros handle it – especially since lawn fertilization only costs around $103 to $343.
If you want to know more about fertilizers, you can check out these other Lawn Love articles:
- “Best Lawn Fertilizers”
- “Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers”
- “Pet-Friendly Lawn Fertilizer: What to Look For”
- “Can You Combine Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers?”
How can fast-release fertilizer improve your lawn
A quick-release fertilizer is designed to improve lawns with specific needs. You can get the most out of it if you use it for the purpose of replenishing necessary nutrients quickly. However, it will still depend on the type or condition of your lawn.
Dying lawns are another type of lawn that can take advantage of a fast-acting fertilizer. Barring fertilizer burns, a lawn in this state usually means severe deficiency in nutrients which the soil is unable to provide. A fast-release fertilizer acts as a first-aid to rapidly deliver these nutrients to both grass and soil.
Established lawns also can benefit from fast-release fertilizers. Due to its effectiveness and ease of use, though, it can be very tempting to apply this type of fertilizer all the time. But unless your soil test calls for it, applying fast-acting fertilizers on established lawns could lead to over-fertilization, especially if not handled correctly.
Newly seeded lawns can greatly benefit from this fertilizer’s rapid boost in nutrients. Nitrogen and phosphorus, in particular, are essential soil nutrients that can help promote top growth and build strong roots, respectively. Balanced levels of these macronutrients will help your seedlings grow faster and crowd the lawn, preventing weeds from invading.
If you want to boost the growth of your newly seeded lawn, you can use a starter fertilizer. Since it usually contains quick-release nitrogen, applying it can help promote faster development of your new lawn.
Tips for using quick-release fertilizer
Here are some valuable tips to help you get the most out of fast-release fertilizers while ensuring safe use:
- If you need to use a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer for a new lawn, apply it after seeding for optimal results.
- Applying fast-acting liquid fertilizer when the grass is dry enables the formula to settle in the soil. However, avoid doing it during the hottest part of the day because the liquid fertilizer will just evaporate. Instead, apply it late afternoon to early evening.
- For established lawns, the best time to apply fast-release fertilizer is between spring to late summer, or during the active growing season of your specific grass type.
- Since quick-release fertilizers deliver nutrients more rapidly, it’s easy to over-fertilize your lawn if you’re not careful. So, remember to read the label and follow the product instructions.
- While late summer fertilization is crucial to give your turfgrass all the nutrients it needs to withstand the cold winter, remember to stop feeding your lawn before the first fall frost.
- Use a shaker container or mechanical spreader to ensure an even distribution of the fertilizer across your lawn. When spraying or spreading the fertilizer, try to walk at a steady pace for even application.
FAQ about quick-release fertilizers
How long does it take for fast-release fertilizers to work?
Fast-release fertilizers usually take a day or two to work. To achieve the best results, remember to use the right N-P-K ratio or specific micronutrients needed by your lawn.
Do lawn care professionals only use fast-acting fertilizers?
No, most lawn care professionals use a combination of quick-release and slow-release fertilizers for maintaining lawns. But as much as possible, they prefer using the concentrated fast-acting formula because of the quick results. The amount used depends on the lawn’s requirements and environmental conditions.
How long do quick-release fertilizers last in the soil?
The nutrients delivered by fast-release fertilizer usually last for around two weeks in the soil. However, the actual duration will still depend on numerous factors, including weather conditions, product formulation, watering, and specific fertilizer brands.
Use the correct fertilizer the right way
Even if quick-release fertilizers are readily available from shops, you can’t rely on them solely because they’re easy to use. Since applying fertilizers can be complicated, it’s better to hire a local lawn care pro who knows which fertilizer to use for your lawn. This way, you’ll have a consistently healthy lawn without risk of fertilizer burn.
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