Fertiliser Types

Types of fertilisers

As mentioned above, the majority of soils will contain adequate nutrients for healthy growth, and it is only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that normally need to be added to soils. These nutrients can be given in different forms, and it is now possible to control how fast the nutrients become available to the plant.

Quick release fertilisers

It is now possible to control the rate at which fertilisers become available to the grass. Quick release fertilisers are chemicals which become available over a very short time. They are usually manmade materials, for example sulphate of ammonia. This type of fertiliser is normally applied during the growing season and is used when you want to encourage rapid growth.

Slow release fertilisers

Slow release fertilisers are chemicals which release their nutrients over a relatively long period. Some, such as hoof and horn and bone meal are natural organic materials which release their nutrients as they rot down. Man–made slow release fertilisers, or controlled release as they are often called, are specially made to release their nutrients throughout the growing season. An example of a controlled release fertiliser is isobutylidene diurea or I.B.D.U. for short.

Slow release fertilisers are usually applied in spring and are used to encourage steady growth. They can be bought as either liquids, granules or powders. Granules are the standard type, and consist of small round balls of fertiliser, which are easy to apply.

Liquid fertilisers come as concentrated solutions which must be diluted before use. They are sprayed on to the turf, and can cause scorching if applied during hot sunny weather.

Powdered fertilisers are less common than granules and they are made of very fine particles. On large sites they are not as easy to apply as granules, especially if the weather is windy. To aid application of this type of material you can mix it with an insert carrier, such as dry sand, and work it into the sward using a Tru–lute.