How Do Quick-Release Fertilizers Work?

In the ever-evolving world of lawn care and gardening, there is always a new product or technique promising to help us achieve the lush, thriving landscapes of our dreams. One such product that has gained popularity in recent years is quick-release fertilizer.

As the name suggests, quick-release fertilizers are designed to quickly release nutrients into the soil. This makes them a good choice for plants that need a quick boost of nutrients, such as newly planted seedlings or lawns that are recovering from damage. Quick-release fertilizers can also help plants recover from drought or other stresses.

What Is Quick-Release Fertilizer?

Quick-release fertilizers are fertilizers that release nutrients into the soil quickly, in contrast, to slow-release fertilizers, which release nutrients over a longer period of time. Quick-release fertilizers are typically made with water-soluble nutrients, such as ammonium nitrate, urea, and potassium nitrate. These nutrients are easily dissolved in water and quickly absorbed by plant roots.

There are a few things to remember when using quick-release fertilizers. First, they can be harmful to plants if they are over-applied. Too much fertilizer can burn plant roots and damage the plant. Second, quick-release fertilizers do not provide long-term nutrient benefits. This means that you will need to reapply them more frequently than slow-release fertilizers.

Learning more about quick-release fertilizers and how they work is the key to determining if they are the right solution for your lawn.

How Do Quick-Release Fertilizers Work?

There are two main ways that quick-release fertilizers release nutrients:

• Water-soluble fertilizers: These fertilizers are made with nutrients already dissolved in water. When the fertilizer is applied to the soil, the water in the soil dissolves the nutrients, and the plant roots quickly absorb them.
• Inorganic salts: These fertilizers are made with nutrients bound to salts. When fertilizer is applied to the soil, the water dissolves the salts, releasing nutrients.

Quick-release fertilizers are a good choice for plants that need a quick boost of nutrients, such as newly planted seedlings or lawns recovering from damage like droughts.

However, there are a few things to remember when using quick-release fertilizers. First, they can be harmful to plants if they are over-applied. Too much fertilizer can burn plant roots and damage the plant. Second, quick-release fertilizers do not provide long-term nutrient benefits. You will need to reapply them more frequently than slow-release fertilizers.

Overall, quick-release fertilizers can be useful for lawn care, but they should be used carefully. Here are some tips for using quick-release fertilizer:

• Read the label carefully and follow the directions.
• Apply the fertilizer to moist soil.
• Avoid applying the fertilizer to wet soil, as this can increase the risk of fertilizer burn.
• Do not over-apply the fertilizer.
• Water the lawn after applying the fertilizer.

If you are unsure whether to use quick-release fertilizer, it is always best to consult with a lawn care professional, like those at Holmes Lawn & Pest!