How do I get started with a general-purpose fertilizer?

If you go to your local big-box store, most of what is there are “general purpose” fertilizers.

Not everyone is going to take a soil test, we know that and so do the major manufacturers of fertilizers, so they make products that just work based on general practice. Kind of like us eating a “standard American diet” without having any blood work done.

You know what else? We can tell you from experience that 95% of professional lawn companies in the United States don’t test soil and they use general-purpose fertilizers and their lawns perform just fine.

For macronutrient loads (N-P-K), you’ll find general-purpose fertilizers will ALWAYS contain nitrogen.  Nitrogen drives the bus - never forget that.

So, how can you get started with a general-purpose fertilizer? Here are two options to consider: 

Option 1: Granular General Purpose Fertilizer  

24-0-6 Flagship (with 3% Iron) and Bio-Nite™ - Granular Lawn Fertilizer

Yard Mastery Flagship Blend will bring the ultimate green to the lawn while also adding potassium and micronutrients. Formulated specifically for DIYers, FlagShip is your go-to fertilizer, all grass types, designed to get the lawn thicker and greener.

It's 25% slow-release nitrogen so it doesn't kick the lawn in the face too hard, but still has plenty of horsepower to tell it, "thicken up now!"

When you apply FlagShip Blend at the suggested 3lbs/1,000 sq ft and water it in, you will see results within 6-7 days and the green will last up to 45 days.

Option 2: Liquid General Purpose Fertilizer 

18-0-1 Greene Punch from Greene County Fertilizer Co.

If you like to apply your fertilizer as a liquid (spraying and praying) then this is the one for you.

Not only does it have excellent sources of nitrogen (N), it also has some potassium (K) and a complement of micronutrient iron to give you some dark blue green pop.

Allyn Hane, aka The Lawn Care Nut, has used this fertilizer on his lawn for a couple of years now and it’s awesome! It’s a great general-purpose fertilizer with a kicker.

Keywords: general-purpose, lawn, fertilizer, new,  just starting, easy