It can also cause grass to use up stored carbohydrates, actually making lawns weaker. There are several solutions to help you fertilize in a Florida friendly way. The three numbers on a fertilizer bag refer to the percent of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium , in that order. Nitrogen can be found in several forms. Some are fast release meaning they are very soluble in water, and quickly available to plants, but can also be easily leached through the soil or off the landscape in runoff.
Most cheap fertilizers contain fast release nitrogen.
Slow release nitrogen does not readily dissolve in water. Thus, the nitrogen is made available to plants in small doses over a longer period of time and does not tend to produce flushes of growth. There is less chance of leaching, lower maintenance and these fertilizers need to be applied less frequently. The higher the percentage the better. These can be either organic or inorganic.