Best Liquid Fertilizer for Healthy Lawns and Gardens

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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There are many great different options in the market when it comes to fertilizing grass and using lawn food to give your grass what plants need. However, if you want something with easy application and is just as effective in lawn care, then the best liquid fertilizer is the way to go. The best liquid lawn fertilizers are plant food for your grass and everything your lawn needs to grow fuller, greener, and to stay healthier for longer.

Regular and systematic fertilizing is a great practice if you want to keep your lawn green and healthy, and most especially if the soil in your lawn lacks nutrients. Using a liquid lawn fertilizer concentrate is bound to yield the immediate results you need since it provides the systematic long-term nutrient care that your grass needs with nutrients such as iron, potassium, nitrogen, and other beneficial minerals.

Best Liquid Fertilizer for Lawn Food

1. Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster

Sale
Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster- Liquid Spray...
  • Increase Vertical & Lateral Growth: Advanced Humic Acid Formula,...
  • Nitrogen & Phosphorus Fertilizer: Commercial Lawn Growth Boosting...
  • Use For Nutrient Deficiency, New Lawns and Lawn Repair:...
  • All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia,...
  • Produced In The United States: Growth Booster is manufactured in...

If you have a lawn full of grass that needs a quick boost in nutrients, then this natural liquid lawn fertilizer by Simple Lawn Solutions is a perfectly balanced blend. It contains the important macronutrients your lawn requires, which include nitrogen, potash, and phosphate. It also infuses an extract of seaweed to stimulate maximum growth for your spring and summer lawn.

Most notably, this liquid fertilizer contains both quick release and slow-release nitrogen for the long run and short run. In other words, this liquid lawn fertilizer helps your lawn grow fast, long green, and lush. At the same time, it increases the stress tolerance and root strength of the grass on your lawn.

It ranks as one of the best liquid lawn fertilizers because of its high phosphate concentrate (6-19-0) that is further energized using humic acid and fulvic. This makes it ideal for the new sod, seeding, and excellent fertilizer for new and struggling lawns that need help bounce back to life. It also increases the lateral and vertical growth of grass on your lawn in a matter of days.

Additionally, from most of the reviews, many users say that they love the fact that it's a hose-end sprayer liquid lawn fertilizer that comes with its bottle to make application super quick and easy. And since this product is a natural fertilizer containing all-natural ingredients, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your children and pet. 

For application, simply attach the fertilizer bottle to your garden hose end/sprayer, and you're good to go. It is also great for use on all types of grass.

Pros:

  • Advanced humic acid formulation to increases the vertical and lateral growth of grass.
  • A high phosphate concentration that is great for new sod and seeding.
  • Covers large areas of around 3,200 square feet.
  • Ready to use.
  • Quick and simple application process using a garden hose-end sprayer.
  • Quick results within a matter of days.
  • Can be used on all grass types, which include Bermuda, Zoysia, Ryegrass, Centipede, St. Augustine, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Buffalo, Fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass.
  • A natural, non-toxic fertilizer that is safe around children and pets.

Cons:

  • Can only cover a limited lawn area.

2. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control Fertilizer

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Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control...
  • Fertilizes in 24 hours while controlling for weeds
  • Kills dandelions, clover and other major lawn weeds
  • Other weeds include buckhorn, chickweed, ground ivy, henbit,...
  • Easy to use, simply attach hose and spray. For grass lawns only....
  • Spray when weeds are actively growing

Scotts is one of the most well-known brands in the industry, and this fertilizer doesn’t just feed your grass but also helps get rid of the unwanted weeds at the same time. The Scotts Liquid Turf Builder weed and feed comes in the original user-friendly 32-fluid ounces spray bottle design. To start the application process, simply unscrew one end of the bottle, attach the hose, and turn on the water.

The fertilizer starts to work super fast and begins killing weeds instantly, so you can expect to see its results within 24 hours. Although, unlike other liquid lawn fertilizers, you will need to spray this weed and feed it onto actively growing grass and directly onto the weeds for it to have a full effect. The Scotts brand is reliably known to effectively kill weeds and promote the health of green and lush grass. In addition, this formula effectively gets rid of some of the unwanted plants, including plantain, dandelions, ragweed, poison ivy, and many more.

This liquid lawn fertilizer is perfect for a small to an average-sized yard that generally needs to be fertilized or has certain areas in the lawn that are either turning brown or are overrun with weeds and simply need to be treated.

Pros:

  • Comes in a ready and easy to use bottle that makes the application easy.
  • Ideal for grass that's newly sown.
  • No mixing process required.
  • Starts instantly, and results show within 24 hours.
  • Effectively kills common weeds.
  • Quick and easy to apply
    In-built sprayer for fast application.

Cons:

  • The bottle doesn't have the best flow.
  • It is not enough for large applications.

3. LawnStar 30-0-0 NPK Fertilizer

Rapid Green & Growth Liquid Fertilizer (1 Gallon) -...
  • HIGH NITROGEN LAWN FOOD FOR ALL GRASS TYPES: LawnStar Premium...
  • SUPERIOR, PREMIUM INGREDIENTS COMBAT DEFICIENCY: Including a...
  • MAKES YOUR LAWN GROW GREENER AND FASTER: Is your lawn showing...
  • COMPATIBLE WITH ANY HOSE-END OR GARDEN SPRAYER: LawnStar 28-0-0...
  • BACKED BY OUR EVERGREEN GUARANTEE: We get it... Trying new things...

If your lawn has more weeds than the actual grass, fewer clippings, and some yellowing foliage, this may be the sign of nitrogen deficiency, and the good news is that LawnStar 30-0-0 NPK fertilizer is the solution. Lawnstar has created a great lawn food formula (30-0-0 NPK) that's high in a blend of both fast and slow-release nitrogen for optimum long-run results.

Apply liquid plant food in the spring and summer to kickstart the growth of healthy green and lush grass on your lawn and also maintain it throughout its growing season. The LawnStar 30-0-0 NPK fertilizer is the best liquid lawn fertilizer that guarantees long-lasting results that you can see within a few weeks. Like most liquid lawn fertilizers, this high-quality nitrogen formula can be suitably used on all grass types.

However, unlike many other liquid lawn fertilizers, this liquid nitrogen fertilizer comes in a generously sized bottle (1 gallon) that's enough to cover at least 16,000 square feet. Before you apply, be sure to read and follow the mixing instructions from the manufacturer on the bottle, and you're also going to need a pump fertilizer sprayer or garden hose end to apply.

Pros:

  • Comes in a generously sized 1-gallon bottle that can cover up to 16,000 sq ft.
  • Easy to apply.
  • Can be suitably used on all grass types.
  • A high blend of both fast and slow-releasing nitrogen for optimum long-run improvement of your lawn.
  • Has a high-quality nitrogen formula that's needed for the growth of healthy green and lush grass.

Cons:

  • A gel-like formula that needs to be warmed for easier application.

4. FoxFarm Grow Big Soil Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer

FoxFarm Grow Big Soil Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer, 1...
  • Grow big is an organic based concentrate
  • Comprehensive blend of major, minor, and micro nutrients
  • Great for roses, tomatoes, veggies, flowers, fruits, herbs and...
  • Contains 6-percent nitrogen, 4-percent phosphorus and 4-percent...
  • Available in 1-gallon

This 1-gallon jug of soil liquid concentrate fertilizer will go much further than the average liquid lawn fertilizer. When mixed properly, it should cover as much as a 20,000 sq ft lawn. The FoxFarm Grow Big soil liquid fertilizer is an organic and comprehensive blend of the plant's major, minor, and micronutrients.

This simply means that this fertilizer works on so much more than just the lawn; you can also apply liquid FoxFarm Grow Big soil fertilizer on your roses, herbs, flower beds, gardens, and much more. It is rich in nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus(P). The only downside of FoxFarm Grows Big soil liquid fertilizers is that they are best used within a few seasons after purchase.

If left to age for too long, it might crystalize, after which it won’t be able to fully break down or work at optimal levels when applied to the lawn. It is ideally used on average to large lawn yards and is particularly great on gardens, flower beds, or other forms of landscaping with plants.

Pros:

  • Organic-based and safe for use around children and pets.
  • A comprehensive blend of the major, minor, and micro plant nutrients.
  • Feed rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
  • Works on lawns, roses, herbs, flowers, and more.
  • Covers average to large lawns and should cover as much as 20,000 square feet of lawns.

Cons:

  • May cause runoff of phosphorus.
  • May crystalize is not used after some time.

5. Revive Ready-to-Spray Soil Builder

Revive Ready-to-Spray Soil Builder, 64 oz
  • A handy hose-end spray nozzle perfect spot treating smaller areas...
  • Revive will solve many summertime brown spot problems, breaking...
  • Composed of Lignosulfates which is an excellent slow release...
  • Made in United States

The Revive soil builder liquid fertilizers generally stimulate microbial growth of roots and help increase soil health. In the long run, this helps plants becoming thicker and green. It comes in a convenient ready-to-spray bottle that's refillable and can be used to spray other things.

This nutrient fertilizer is a slow-release nutrient feed that relies on Lignosulfates to create better soil microbes in your lawn and ultimately deal with the yellow grass or compacted dirt in certain areas of your lawn. It works well for small passageways and areas that need to be recovered.

Pros:

  • Comes in a garden hose ready-to-spray and refillable bottle for easy application.
  • The feed nutrients increase water penetration, ideal for the roots.
  • Slow-releasing feed formula that's ideal for long term results.
  • Stimulates microbial growth in the soil that's ideal for roots and general growth.

Cons:

  • Comes in small sizes that won't cover as much area.

What Do You Consider When Getting the Best Liquid Fertilizer for Lawns?

A) Do you need instantaneous results?

Generally, fertilizing your lawn using liquid fertilizers provides a relatively quick release of nutrients to the plants that can be used in the fast treatment of specific grass nutrient deficiencies to help your lawn get back to looking healthy. But if you want the long-term maintenance or supplements option for an otherwise already healthy grass on your lawn, consider a granular slower nutrients release choice.

B) What is the size of the lawn?

Applying liquid fertilizer can be a great choice for mega-sized lawns. Its spray application process is much faster to accomplish, especially when using some sort of motorized vehicle to help you spray or a commercial lawn care system that puts you on a rotation of care.

C) Do you have the right equipment?

The application of the best liquid lawn fertilizer can become quite costly, depending on your lawn or garden size. The equipment used to apply liquid lawn fertilizer on a large area effectively is specialized for the best ratio application. Always consider this and include it as part of your overall lawn care and garden maintenance budget.

D) Do you have a nasty weed or insect problem?

Insect and weed organic additions for your lawn are both available in particular fertilizer mixes. However, if you have an issue with either, you could consider killing two birds with one stone by using an organic liquid formula that treats both simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Liquid Fertilizer

1. What is the dosage when using liquid NPK fertilizer?

  • In foliar application, use 3-4ml per liter of water
  • In drip application, use 0.25-0.50ml per liter of water
  • In fertigation, use 1.00-1.50ml per liter of water

2. When should liquid fertilizer be applied?

The application of liquid fertilizer depends on the product you’re using. Always read and follow the instructions of each product, which is either designed to be used in spring, summer, or is a throughout the year application. However, most liquid fertilizers are generally designed for hose application in spring.

Since some products are specifically meant for use during spring and summer, the first application is made in spring with subsequential small doses of application every few weeks until early in the summer. 

Note that applying chemical liquid nitrogen fertilizer should not be done at the peak of the summer season because it could burn your lawn. During the summer months, it is also much safer to use your organic liquid fertilizer early in the morning so that you can avoid damaging the grass. And finally, also make sure that you water your lawn as you apply the plant food fertilizer on your lawn for optimal results of lusher green grass.

3. Liquid fertilizer vs. granular fertilizer

Liquid lawn fertilizers continue to gain popularity in recent years. There are no real differences in the amounts of nutrients provided by either the liquid or granular fertilizers; however, the notable differences come in the absorption and application. Here are some fundamental benefits and downsides of liquid lawn fertilizer vs. granular lawn fertilizer.

a) Liquid fertilizer

Pros:

  • Has a uniform and even application that's easy to apply
  • Phosphorus absorbs better in the liquid form
  • Much better for a starter lawn and garden
  • Easier to apply
  • Quick-release fertilizer

Cons:

  •  The setup and application process can be relatively pricey
  • Requires a more frequent application 

b) Granular fertilizer

Pros:

  •  Easier to store for a long period
  • Slow-release of nutrients over a long time
  • More efficient to use for pre-planting

Cons:

  • Could burn your lawn
  • Harder to evenly distribute in application
  • Some nutrients can’t be absorbed efficiently in this form
  • Takes much longer to get results
Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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