Beautiful green lawns, unfortunately, don’t happen on their own. The secret to a lush, green lawn is the type of fertilizer it gets. Of course, the kind of fertilizer that’s healthy and helpful will vary depending on the location and natural climate.
A good quality fertilizer will give the grass the essential nutrients it requires to remain green, healthy, and resistant to environmental stressors. It’ll also be more resistant to weeds and pests that can cause damage to its roots, leaving brown patches across the yard.
If the climate is warm year-round, chances are the grass constitutes a southern lawn. That means a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 16-4-8 is ideal. In this article, we’re going to review the best 16-4-8 fertilizers and answer common consumer questions about the products.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
The 5 Best 16-4-8 Fertilizers – Reviews
Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK Fertilizer
The Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced fertilizer holds the perfect blend of macronutrients that southern grass needs. The liquid fertilizer also contains fish and seaweed, making it a complete grass food.
This liquid fertilizer is all-natural and non-toxic, made with the purest nutrients to ensure green grass, strong roots, and optimal soil health. It works for all southern grasses, including Bermuda, St Augustine, Buffalo, Zoysia, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, and more.
Pros:
- Safe, natural, and free of harsh chemicals
- Enhances the soil
Cons:
- There may be some difficulty getting the product to mix.
Eco Bioenhanced Natural Liquid 16-4-8 NPK Fertilizer
Eco’s Bioenhanced Natural Liquid fertilizer is another chemical-free product that’s both soil and pet safe. The solution is excellent for use on gardens, house plants, lawns, shrubs, and even trees.
The liquid fertilizer is sugar-based and works by a process referred to as foliar feeding. It also contains bio-nutrients that will feed the soil as well as trace elements, including Boron, Zinc, Iron, Cobalt, Manganese, Copper, and more. It promotes quick, healthy growth for all non-blooming or green leafy plants, and it works well for lawn winterization.
Pros:
- Contains bio-nutrients that feed the soil
- Safe and chemical-free
Cons:
- No cons found
Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG
Andersons PGF (Professional Grade fertilizer) Complete covers up to 10,000 square feet of lawn thanks to its super-fine granules amounting to twice the square footage of regular-sized particles. The nitrogen content within this fertilizer is released slowly, allowing it to feed the lawn for up to eight weeks at a time.
The Humic DG—humic and fulvic acid—enriches the soil while balancing its pH. This enables the grass and plants to process nutrients more efficiently. This is a complete fertilizer, perfect for St Augustine grass. However, it should not be used in conjunction with other fertilizers or lawn care products.
Pros:
- Slow-release Nitrogen
- Balances the pH of the soil
- Small granules make for easy distribution
Cons:
- Difficult to find in stores
LawnStar 16-4-8 NPK Fertilizer + Seaweed
The LawnStar 16-4-8 NPK fertilizer is a perfectly balanced liquid fertilizer suitable for all grass types during the spring and summer seasons. It contains a premium blend of nutrients, including fast and slow-release Nitrogen. The dual-action release allows the lawn to become green quickly while also providing it with a longer life-span.
Along with the nutrients provided by the seaweed, this fertilizer will produce more resilient roots, healthier soil, and optimal grass health. It also has an easy to use sprayer that will fit any standard garden hose. One bottle can cover up to 4,000 square feet.
Pros:
- Contains a well-rounded macronutrient blend
- Works fast
Cons:
- Dispenser tends to clog
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a 16-4-8 fertilizer that covers up to 5,000 square feet of lawn. It contains a dual-action formula that feeds plants and grass essential nutrients, plus a healthy dose of Iron.
This fertilizer works with all grass types and can be used during any season. Any lawn should be a deeper green just three days after applying Scotts Green Max Lawn Food to the grass, and it will last up to eight weeks. It’s also kid and pet safe.
Pros:
- Kid and pet safe
- Works quickly and effectively
- Suitable for all grass types and all seasons
Cons:
- Reports of rust-colored patches after use
16-4-8 Fertilizer Buying Guide
Buying fertilizer isn’t exactly a straightforward process. As mentioned before, the type of fertilizer the lawn needs will depend on the location, climate, and the type of grass. Plants, including grass, need a variety of nutrients.
The primary nutrients needed are macronutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. Also known as NPK. Secondary macronutrients such as Boron, Iron, Cobalt, Manganese, and so on, are needed in much smaller amounts. Before shopping for fertilizer, conduct a soil test. This will help identify what’s missing in the nutritional profile of the grass.
Understanding Fertilizer Numbers
Wondering what the different number combinations on fertilizer bags are? Simply put, they’re the NPK values. NPK stands for the elements Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, which are the macronutrients plants and grass need the most.
The numbers designate the percentage of these macronutrients per volume of fertilizer in each bag. For example, the 16-4-8 NPK ratio means that the fertilizer is 16% Nitrogen, 4% Phosphorus, and 8% Potassium. The rest of the fertilizer is made of inert materials that supply secondary macronutrients and sometimes beneficial bacteria.
By multiplying each percentage by the weight of the bag, consumers can get the total weight of each macronutrient. Divide each percentage by the total weight of the bag to get the amount of fertilizer necessary per pound of soil. That amount is also the amount of fertilizer to distribute per square foot of lawn.
When to Use Different NPK Ratios
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are the essential nutrients that all plants need. Nitrogen is for leafy, green growth. Phosphorus promotes healthy root development and is also responsible for flowering, fruit growth, and seed production. Phosphorus also helps plants and grass to utilize other nutrients more efficiently. Potassium regulates and boosts overall growth in plants and grass. It also promotes root tolerance against harsh weather, diseases, and pests.
Depending on the lawn’s fertilizer needs, the NPK ratios will differ. For example, soil typically supplies enough phosphorus and potassium, which is why the percentage of Nitrogen in lawn fertilizers is always higher. Vegetables and flowers, on the other hand, require more Phosphorus and Potassium than they do Nitrogen as their yield depends on how well they bloom or flower.
Using the fertilizer with the right NPK ratio is crucial. Using the wrong ratios will result in over-saturation of the lawn, flowers, or vegetables, which will ultimately affect how they grow and bloom. If the Nitrogen level is too low, grass will turn pale and grow slowly. Too much Nitrogen and the grass will burn, and flowers and fruit will grow leafy rather than bloom.
If the Phosphorus and Potassium levels are too low, the roots and overall plant health will be weak and susceptible to disease.
Choosing the Fertilizer with the Right NPK Ratio
Choosing fertilizer depends on where you live and what type of grass you have. The easiest way to figure out which kind of fertilizer is right for the job is to determine whether the lawn is in the northern or southern part of the country.
Next, figure out if there have other needs or issues, such as pests, weeds, etc. Lastly, take into consideration the time of the year. Various types of grass will have different needs during different seasons.
Quick and Slow-Release Fertilizers
There are two different formulations of lawn fertilizer—granular and liquid. Granular fertilizers can come as either quick or slow-release formulas, or both. Liquid fertilizers are typically quick-release since leaves and roots more readily absorb liquid.
Quick-Release
Quick-release refers to water-soluble Nitrogen. Quick-release formulas are absorbed right away and supply nutrients for up to four weeks, depending on the climate and precipitation.
Slow-Release
Slow-release refers to water-insoluble Nitrogen. The fertilizer is usually coated to achieve a more timely nutrient release and typically last from eight to twelve weeks. Slow-release fertilizers provide more even growth.
16-4-8 Fertilizer FAQs:
How Often Should I Fertilize My Lawn?
It’s recommended to fertilize your lawn four times per year: during the early and late spring, summertime, and fall.
Does it Matter What Time I Apply Fertilizer?
Yes, it does matter. Especially in the southern part of the country, it’s ideal to apply fertilizer in the late afternoon or early evening. This will prevent the sun’s rays from reacting with the fertilizer and burning your grass.
Feed Your Grass
If a southern grass fertilizer is what the lawn calls for, then the best 16-4-8 fertilizers listed above might fit the bill. Remember, the grass has different needs during the different seasons, so be sure to make the necessary changes to accommodate.
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