If you're a property owner in Virginia and are looking to give your lawn the boost it needs, there are two types of fertilizer treatments that you can choose from: liquid or granular. While both provide nutrients that help strengthen the grass and promote healthy growth, granular fertilizers tend to be better because they consist of granules that release those nutrients slowly over time rather than all at once, as liquids do.

Thanks to granular fertilizer's slow-release mechanism, your turf will receive ongoing nutritional support, and by forgoing liquid fertilizer, you have less of a chance of accidentally causing fertilizer burn. As for when you should apply them, you’ll want to start in early spring and continue throughout the growing season.

What is the difference between liquid and granular lawn fertilizer?

When choosing between liquid and granular fertilizer treatments for your lawn, it’s important to understand the differences between them so that you can make an informed decision. Granular fertilizers consist of small pellets that are spread across your entire turf area. These granules are watered in to activate, gradually breaking down and releasing their nutrients into the soil as they do. On the other hand, liquid fertilizers are in a soluble form and sprayed onto your lawn, which works much faster by providing your grass with an immediate nutrient supply.

What is the better option: granular or liquid fertilizer?

When comparing granular fertilizers to liquid ones, granular treatments have several advantages. Granular fertilizers provide a slow and gradual release of nutrients over an extended period. This gradual release promotes steady growth and sustained health for your grass. On the other hand, while liquid fertilizers provide a quick release, they may need to be applied more often because of that. Opting for granular treatments also reduces the risk of fertilizer burn, which is more common with fast-acting liquid treatments.

When should you apply granular fertilizer to your lawn?

The best time to start applying granular lawn fertilizer treatments is in early spring, shortly after your grass emerges from winter dormancy. During this time, your lawn will need a boost of nutrients to help it recover from the cold temperatures and rebuild its strength. This treatment will also encourage new growth and get your lawn off to a great start for the rest of the growing season.

In late spring, you'll want to administer another round of granular fertilizer to replenish your lawn's nutrient supply and prepare it for the summer months ahead. Then, you'll want to treat it again in late summer to help it recover from any stress caused during the hot weather.

As fall approaches, you'll want to give your lawn another granular fertilizer treatment to build up its strength before going dormant again. Finally, a winterizer treatment in late fall will set up your grass for success during the winter and ensure it has enough stored nutrients to survive until next spring.

Give us a call today to enroll in our comprehensive lawn fertilization program!

At Patriot Lawn and Landscape, we provide a lawn fertilization program that consists of multiple applications of high-quality granular fertilizers throughout the year. This service begins in early spring and continues through late fall, incorporating pre- and post-emergent weed control applications, along with several other essential treatments. The products we use are even pet-safe once dry!

We serve residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Bristow, Haymarket, Manassas, and other surrounding areas in Virginia. Give us a call today at (703) 244-7798 to enroll in our lawn fertilization program!