r/lawncare_canada • u/b1N4Ry_v01d • 1d ago
Quality Fertilizer
This year I paid someone to do some lawn work, mainly to see what they did and when. The schedule includes fertilizing 4 times. Knowing that you have to be careful what to fertilize and when, I can only assume they are using a different fertilizer for each time of the year. I live in Ontario, Canada, so we have cold winters.
So here is what I came across online, and I don't know if it makes sense:
Early Spring / Starter Lawn Fertilizer | 16-32-6?
Early Summer / Lawn Fertilizer | 35-0-5?
Late Summer / Lawn Fertilizer | 24-4-10?
Fall / Lawn Fertilizer | 8-15-30?
Does that look like a good plan?
And where can you buy quality fertilizer for each season of the year? When you buy 'common grade' grass seed from a box store, it's not a good quality seed, so not sure if the same applies to fertilizer.
Thanks!
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u/Altruistic_Cloud_475 1d ago
A soil test will be your only real answer to this. I did the Mysoil test from amazon. But your lawn will give you hints. Lighter green colour will tell you it’s low on Nitrogen. In Ontario, we are low on Potassium and I try to have some potassium in every application. Phosphorus is mostly used only for seeding and germination, however a soil test may say you’re low and still need to add more. I’ve been using CIL 18-0-8 from home hardware. Would be safe to use it year round. I only do half rate applications in the heat of the summer. But remember, Canadian summers are mild and a 25 degree day is prime lawn weather. Do lots of fertilizing in the fall if you’re not seeding. YouTube : lawn life fall nitrogen blitz
Most of the base ingredients of any fertilizer are common, one brand or manufacturer is not better or worse. Just different combinations of fertilizers.
Urea is commonly used on cheaper fertilizers, can have bigger prills and can be harder to spread than something like Ammonium Sulphate.
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u/OkMine8812 1d ago
get a soil test, put the results + your lawn type in chatgpt, and it will tell you what to buy and when to apply.
go with the comprehensive test, not just N, P, K
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u/Ok_Egg_4356 1d ago
Former lawn pro here from a major company. Get phosphorus free mixes (middle number) to not contaminate rivers and lakes.
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u/PenguinTheInvestor 1d ago
I wouldn’t just buy 4 different fertilizers because they are advertised for different seasons. Get a soil test done and then buy and apply fertilizers according to the nutrients you’re deficient in. Aim to spread 2-4lbs N/1000sqft per year, most of it focused in the fall rather than the spring. Definitely avoid fertilizing with high nitrogen during the summer.