Fertilizing Lawns Fertilizer is essential for good lawn growth. Lawn fertilizers vary in analysis and price. Most available lawn fertilizers will not have this exact ratio but will still give good results. The price of the fertilizer relates somewhat to the analysis and the nutrient carriers used on the fertilizer.
Cheap fertilizers are usually water soluble thus have a high potential to burn the grass.
Water soluble fertilizers will give a response for 4 to 6 weeks. Many of these fertilizers have disclaimers on the bag stating they will not burn the grass if the directions are followed. The directions usually state that the fertilizer must be watered-in immediately after spreading. Because these fertilizers are water soluble they become available in the spring when temperatures are still cool. More expensive fertilizers are not water soluble, have low burn potential and give a response for up to 8 weeks.