Does your lawn look a little dull and sad, even after you’ve put in all that hard work? You water it, you mow it, but that vibrant, deep green color seems just out of reach. It’s frustrating when your grass lacks that lush, thick look you see on magazine covers. Many homeowners feel lost when staring at bags labeled “High Nitrogen.” What does that number actually mean, and which one is best for your specific patch of green?
Choosing the right high-nitrogen fertilizer can feel like navigating a confusing maze. Too much of the wrong kind, and you risk burning your precious turf. Too little, and you waste money without seeing the results you want. We understand the confusion about timing, application rates, and knowing if you need quick-release or slow-release formulas.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain what high-nitrogen fertilizer does, how to pick the perfect type for your soil, and simple steps to apply it safely for maximum green impact. Get ready to transform your yard from ordinary to outstanding.
Top High Nitrogen Fertilizer For Lawns Recommendations
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food feeds and strengthens grass to help protect against future problems
- Fertilizer builds strong, deep roots and improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients (vs. unfed lawn)
- Apply lawn care product to a wet or dry lawn
- Grass fertilizer works on any grass type
- One 12.5 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Easy to Use: Our 28-0-0 Lawn Fertilizer Food comes with an attached sprayer that applies the perfect ratio of product for lawn applications. Covers up to 3,200 square feet, when using the attached sprayer
- Liquid Fertilizer 28-0-0 contains 28% Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll where lawns get their green coloring. Nitrogen encourages growth for a dense attractive lawn
- The Power of Quick Release and Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer: 70% quick-release nitrogen to provide quick nutrient absorption 30% slow-release nitrogen keeps your lawn fed in between applications
- Can Be Used on All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass.
- High Nitrogen Formula: This High Nitrogen fertilizer was developed to perk up the lawn, by quickly correcting a Nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen Encourages Greening & Growth if a nutrient deficiency is present
- Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a dual-action fertilizer and iron formula that feeds your lawn and provides deep greening in just 3 days
- This lawn care product contains 5% iron, a micronutrient that enhances the greening process for fast results
- Apply this fertilizer plus iron supplement to any grass type in the spring, summer, or fall
- Guaranteed not to stain concrete, driveways, or other surfaces surrounding your lawn (when used as directed)
- One 16.67 lb. bag of Scotts Green Max Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- 28-0-0 Liquid Lawn Food Nutritional Supplement: High Nitrogen Formula. Nitrogen aids in the formation of chlorophyll where plants get their green coloring. The addition of Nitrogen encourages vigorous growth for the development of a dense attractive lawn.
- The Power of Quick Release and Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer: 70% quick-release nitrogen to provide quick nutrient absorption 30% slow-release nitrogen keeps your lawn feed in-between applications.
- 28-0-0 contains 28% Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll where plants get their green coloring. Nitrogen encourages vigorous growth for the development of a dense attractive lawn.
- Can Be Used on All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass.
- Application Rates for Lawn, Garden and Indoor Plants: Versatile Formula can be used on turf grass, ornamentals, young plants, flower beds, potting soil, young trees, garden and hardy plants.
- Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food builds strong, deep grass roots for a better lawn next spring
- Fertilizer delivers the nutrients lawns need to help recover from damage caused by summer heat, drought, and activity
- Apply to a wet or dry lawn in the fall, as this is the best time to feed
- This lawn care product is for use on any grass type
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- Pure Nitrogen Fertilizer: With a potent 46% urea nitrogen content, our fertilizer serves as a vital component for plant health. It supports essential processes like protein synthesis and the production of green color essential ensuring optimal growth and development.
- Bountiful Harvests: Elevate your garden's productivity with our urea fertilizer for grass. Not only for larger, but more abundant flowers, fruits, and vegetables and also promotes plant growth overall.
- Plant Growth: Witness your plants thrive as our urea grass fretilizer accelerates growth. By providing a balanced ingredients, this ensures a consistent display of vibrant foliage, stronger stems, and roots.
- Versatile Application: Suitable for a wide range of crops, vegetables, and fruits, our urea lawn fertilizer makes various cultivation methods. Whether you're a professional farmer or a passionate gardener, our versatile fertilizer caters agricultural needs.
- Soil Enrichment: Contribute to balanced soil structure indirectly by nurturing plants with. Beyond promoting plant growth, our urea lawn food fertilizer encourages the development of root systems that is for soil aggregation and mitigate erosion. New Look Alert! Our white packaging is now blue packaging with a grass design.
- Ideal for lawns with nitrogen deficiencies
- Contains both quick- and slow-release nitrogen
- Can be used any time during the growing season
- Small particle size for complete and uniform coverage
- Safe for all turf types
- One application and done for a season
- Contains natural beneficial microorganisms that revitalize soil
- Contains 5% iron for deep greening
- Contains polymer coated urea that slowly releases nitrogen up to 4 months
- Product not available in Hawaii and South Dakota
The Green Thumb’s Guide: Choosing the Best High Nitrogen Fertilizer for Your Lawn
Want a lawn that looks like a carpet of emerald green? High nitrogen fertilizer is your secret weapon. Nitrogen (N) is the powerhouse nutrient that fuels leafy, green growth. But not all high-nitrogen products are created equal. This guide helps you pick the perfect one for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When scanning fertilizer bags, look past the big numbers. Focus on these key features:
- N-P-K Ratio: The first number is Nitrogen (N). For a “high nitrogen” product, you want this number to be high—think 25-5-10 or 30-0-4. The middle number (Phosphorus, P) and the last number (Potassium, K) are less important for pure green-up but still matter for overall health.
- Release Speed: Does the nitrogen release slowly or quickly? Quick-release gives fast greening but can cause burning if over-applied. Slow-release (often noted as “Water Insoluble Nitrogen” or WIN) feeds your lawn steadily over weeks or months.
- Granule Size and Uniformity: Look for evenly sized granules. Uneven sizes lead to splotchy feeding—some areas get too much, others too little.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The source of the nitrogen greatly affects how your lawn uses it.
Fast vs. Slow Release Sources
- Urea (Fast Release): This is the quickest way to green up your lawn. It works fast but washes away or burns the grass easily if you don’t water it in properly.
- Sulphur Coated Urea (SCU) or Polymer Coated Urea (PCU): These are slow-release forms. Tiny coatings control how fast the nitrogen escapes into the soil. They provide consistent feeding, which is great for busy homeowners.
- Natural Sources: Some organic fertilizers use things like feather meal or blood meal. These release nitrogen slowly as microbes break them down.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a high-nitrogen fertilizer depends on how it manages feeding and safety.
What Boosts Quality?
- High Percentage of Slow-Release N: A quality product will have at least 30-50% of its total nitrogen in a slow-release form. This prevents the dreaded “feast or famine” cycle of growth.
- Added Micronutrients: Sometimes, a little bit of Iron (Fe) is added. Iron helps boost deep green color without forcing excessive top growth, making the lawn look darker and healthier.
What Lowers Quality?
- Too Much Fast Release: If nearly all the nitrogen is urea, you risk burning your lawn during hot weather.
- Poor Coating: If the slow-release coatings are thin or uneven, the fertilizer acts like a fast-release product anyway.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the fertilizer changes which type you should buy.
When to Use High Nitrogen
- Spring Push: This is the best time to use high nitrogen. It powers the initial massive growth spurt after winter dormancy.
- Overseeding: When planting new grass seed, a high-N starter fertilizer helps those tiny seedlings establish strong roots and green blades quickly.
If you have very sandy soil, you should lean toward slow-release products. Sandy soil lets nutrients drain away fast. Slow-release nitrogen stays around longer, ensuring your lawn gets fed between waterings.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About High Nitrogen Lawn Fertilizer
Q: Why is nitrogen so important for my lawn?
A: Nitrogen is the nutrient that makes grass blades green and encourages fast, thick leaf growth. It is the main food for the green parts of the plant.
Q: What N-P-K ratio should I look for?
A: For high nitrogen, look for ratios where the first number is 25 or higher, like 28-3-7. This means it is heavy on the “N.”
Q: Can I use high nitrogen fertilizer in the summer heat?
A: Be very careful. Fast-release nitrogen can burn your lawn when temperatures are high. Always use slow-release formulas or skip feeding entirely during peak summer heat.
Q: How often should I apply this type of fertilizer?
A: It depends on the formula. Quick-release products might need reapplying every 4-6 weeks. Slow-release products often last 8 to 12 weeks.
Q: What does “slow-release” mean on the bag?
A: Slow-release means the nitrogen is packaged in a way that it breaks down slowly over time. This provides steady feeding instead of a quick jolt.
Q: What happens if I put down too much high nitrogen fertilizer?
A: The grass blades will grow too fast, become weak, and you risk “burning” the lawn. Burned grass turns yellow or brown and feels crunchy.
Q: Do I need to water after applying high nitrogen fertilizer?
A: Yes, always! Watering helps dissolve the granules and moves the nutrients down to the grass roots. For quick-release, watering is essential to prevent burning.
Q: Is a high nitrogen fertilizer good for establishing new sod?
A: Yes, starter fertilizers are high in nitrogen to help the new grass blades grow quickly and establish a strong look.
Q: Should I use a high nitrogen product if I have clay soil?
A: Clay soil holds nutrients well. You can use either fast or slow release, but slow release is often easier because it reduces the risk of nutrient runoff.
Q: Can I mix high nitrogen fertilizer with weed killer?
A: Many products combine them, called “weed and feed.” Always read the label carefully to ensure the products are compatible and follow the instructions for application timing.