How to Determine What Scotts Fertilizer to Use on a Lawn
- 1). Figure out what lawn problems you may have. You may have crabgrass or other weeds that invade your lawn. If you have fire ants or fleas, you should take that into account. If your lawn is just getting started, it has different needs than if it is well established. You also want to note what time of year it is.
- 2). Decide what else is important to you in your lawn care. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder may take effect faster than the granulated fertilizers, but you may have to apply it more frequently. You also want to consider whether you want to stick to synthetic fertilizers, which have chemicals in them, or if you want to go with organic.
- 3). Pick the step you need. Scotts has formulated their fertilizers specifically for four different times of year. Step 1 is designed for early spring use; Step 2 is for late spring; Step 3 is for summer; and Step 4 is for fall. Step 3 often has Summerguard in it, which is to help the lawn deal with potential drought conditions, and Step 4 usually has Winterguard to help the lawn cope better with the cold.
- 4). Choose the fertilizer that meets your needs best. Scotts Turf Builder line is a general fertilizer for feeding your lawn. Scotts also makes Organic Choice Lawn Food, which is a more natural way to go. Scotts Starter Fertilizer is good for newer lawns, and there is another formula that includes an herbicide against crabgrass. Several Scotts formulas for established lawns have herbicides in them to help with dandelions, crabgrass and other weeds. Scotts also has a few formulas with insecticides and fertilizer in one bag, so you can take care of insect infestations.
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