For homeowners aiming for a consistently lush and vibrant lawn, a Liquid Lawn Care Program can be a game-changer. Moving away from traditional granular fertilizers offers enhanced control, faster nutrient absorption, and the ability to tailor your lawn’s nourishment precisely to its needs. This guide delves into the world of liquid lawn care, drawing from practical experience and research to help you create a program that will elevate your lawn to the next level.
Why Consider a Liquid Lawn Care Program?
Like many lawn enthusiasts, I began exploring liquid fertilizer options due to the limitations of granular products. While granular fertilizers have their place, I found that even with small prill sizes, they tended to linger on the turf surface for an extended period. This became particularly inconvenient with my lawn grooming and clipping collection practices. The desire for quicker nutrient uptake and less surface residue led me down the path of liquid applications.
Initially, pre-mixed liquid fertilizers seemed like the easiest route. However, the cost quickly became prohibitive, especially when factoring in shipping. Exploring options from suppliers like Site One still didn’t make economic sense. That’s when I turned to the idea of creating my own liquid fertilizer mixes using readily available and cost-effective ingredients.
The Power of DIY Liquid Fertilizers: Urea and Ammonium Sulfate
My research led me to two powerful and economical nitrogen sources: Urea (46-0-0) and Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0). These fertilizers are water-soluble, making them ideal for liquid application. They offer a significant cost advantage compared to pre-mixed liquid solutions and granular options.
The key to successful application with urea and ammonium sulfate lies in proper dilution and application rates. It’s crucial to use sufficient water as a carrier to prevent leaf burn from the fertilizer salts. General recommendations suggest applying these fertilizers with at least 2-3 gallons of water per 1,000 sq/ft and limiting nitrogen application to a maximum of 1 lb of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq/ft per application. This ensures even coverage and minimizes the risk of temporary lawn browning. Importantly, after about four hours of contact with the leaf blades, the grass will have absorbed the majority of the nutrients, and any remaining fertilizer can be watered into the soil.
Enhancing Efficiency with Nitrogen Stabilizers
To further optimize the liquid lawn care program, I investigated nitrogen stabilizers. These additives help to mitigate nitrogen loss through volatilization, denitrification, and leaching. By keeping nitrogen in the soil for a longer duration, stabilizers effectively provide a “slow-release” benefit, similar to more expensive slow-release granular fertilizers like UFLEXX and UMAXX.
While nitrogen stabilizers like Lesco U-Plus may represent a higher upfront cost due to bulk purchasing (typically in 25 lb buckets), the usage rate is very low – only 0.20-0.40 oz. per pound of fertilizer. This means a single bucket can last for many years, making the per-application cost surprisingly minimal over the long term.
Balancing Nutrients: Potassium and Iron
A complete lawn care program requires more than just nitrogen. Potassium is another essential macronutrient, and while my soil test indicated sufficient phosphorus levels, potassium supplementation was necessary. Potassium Sulfate (0-0-53) is an excellent water-soluble potassium source. While sourcing it locally proved initially challenging, online retailers like Greenway Biotech offer readily available options. Pestrong is another online source to consider for Potassium Sulfate, potentially offering more competitive pricing. Local sourcing, however, remains the most cost-effective approach if feasible.
Iron is a crucial micronutrient for deep green color and overall lawn health. To move beyond Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate (FAS) and achieve a more lasting greening effect, chelated iron is the preferred choice. DPTA Iron stands out as a highly effective chelated iron, particularly suitable for soils with a pH up to 7.0. While DPTA iron, like Sprint 330, is more expensive than ferrous sulfate, its extended availability to the grass justifies the investment for enhanced color and longevity. For a more budget-conscious approach, Main Event Iron provides a cost-effective chelated iron option, comparable to Feature, and is a worthwhile consideration for maintaining good color without breaking the bank.
My Liquid Lawn Care Program: Plan and Costs
My current liquid lawn care program is designed around a balanced nutrient approach applied every three weeks, coinciding with Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) applications. The base mix includes Urea, Ammonium Sulfate, and Potassium Sulfate, along with chelated iron. Specifically, for every 1,000 sq/ft, I apply:
- 1 lb Urea
- 1 lb Ammonium Sulfate
- 1 lb Potassium Sulfate
- 2-4 oz DPTA Iron (or Main Event Iron depending on budget and needs)
- Nitrogen Stabilizer (U-Plus)
This blend delivers approximately half a pound of Nitrogen and half a pound of Potassium per 1,000 sq/ft, along with iron for color enhancement. The flexibility of a liquid program is a major advantage – I can easily adjust nutrient ratios based on soil tests and observed lawn conditions. Evening applications followed by watering in the next morning ensure optimal leaf absorption and minimize any risk of leaf burn.
Cost Breakdown (per 8,000 sq/ft application):
- Urea: $2.40
- Ammonium Sulfate: $3.61
- Potassium Sulfate: $14.40
- DPTA Iron: $10.00
- U-Plus Nitrogen Stabilizer: $1.53
Total Cost per Application: $31.94
While the total cost might seem initially higher than anticipated, it remains significantly more economical than pre-mixed liquid fertilizers. Sourcing Potassium Sulfate locally would further reduce expenses. Importantly, the initial investment in bulk fertilizer components, especially the nitrogen stabilizer, spreads out over numerous applications, resulting in a low per-application cost.
Long-Term Program Adjustments and Insights (June 2023 Update)
Having used this liquid program for a considerable time and even after transitioning to TifGrand Bermuda grass, I’ve made some refinements. While the core principles remain, some adjustments based on experience and soil analysis are worth noting:
- Ammonium Sulfate: Initially omitted due to potential leaf burn, but reintroduced after discovering a sulfur deficiency in my soil. Sulfur is an essential nutrient often overlooked, and ammonium sulfate provides both nitrogen and sulfur.
- Main Event Iron: Became the preferred iron source due to its cost-effectiveness and comparable performance to more expensive options. Soil tests indicating sufficient iron levels may warrant temporary omission of iron applications.
- Potassium Nitrate: Shifted to Potassium Nitrate as the primary potassium source due to better local availability and cost, while also providing a small nitrogen boost.
- Lesco U-Plus Nitrogen Stabilizer: Ongoing evaluation. While not definitively proven its effectiveness in my specific program yet, further experimentation is planned to fully assess its benefits.
Furthermore, for comprehensive lawn health, I continue to incorporate:
- PGRs (T-Nex & Anuew): For growth regulation and reduced mowing frequency.
- Bifen and Imidacloprid: For insect control, though exploring alternative active ingredients for long-term pest management.
- Tournament Ready/Medalist Wetting Agents: To enhance water penetration and fertilizer effectiveness, transitioning to the more cost-effective Medalist as existing Tournament Ready supply depletes.
Conclusion: Embrace the Liquid Advantage
Creating your own liquid lawn care program offers a powerful path to a healthier, more vibrant lawn. It provides unparalleled control over nutrient application, allows for cost savings compared to pre-mixed solutions, and enables you to tailor your program precisely to your lawn’s unique needs and soil conditions. While initial research and sourcing of components are required, the long-term benefits in terms of lawn quality and cost-effectiveness make a liquid lawn care program a compelling option for serious lawn enthusiasts. Remember to always prioritize soil testing and adjust your program based on your lawn’s specific requirements and observed results.
