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Best Lawn Booster: Full Buyers Guide on Choosing the Right One

There are several factors to consider when maintaining a green lawn throughout the year. The nutrition of your lawn is one primary consideration. However, for your lawn to have sufficient nutrition, it needs to receive the correct amount of different nutrients.

The ratio of the nutrients in your lawn booster will determine its effect on your grass and how quickly it has this effect. And the needs of your lawn will depend on several factors, including the age of the lawn, the climate in which it is located, and the type of grass.

There is so much selection available when it comes to lawn booster products, it’s hard to decide which one would be best for your lawn as there are many factors to take into consideration.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of lawn boosters you can get and which ones may be best for your lawn, along with some of our top picks.

Firstly, let’s talk about the things you need to consider before making a decision…

What to Consider When Purchasing A Lawn Booster

Lawn boosters and fertilizers generally contain the following as a minimum:

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  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium

These will all be in differing ratios depending on the brand and type that you buy. And many lawn boosters also contain additional micro-nutrients to give your lawn an extra boost. Some contain grass seed and soil enhancers too.

Later, we’ll got into what those rations are, and how to choose the right ration for your lawn. But first, let’s take a look at what else you need to consider when choosing a great booster for your lawn…

#1: Organic Vs. Synthetic Lawn Boosters

You’ll need to consider whether you would prefer to opt for organic or synthetic fertilizers. Both options are effective, but each is better suited for a different environment.

For example, synthetic fertilizers can potentially be dangerous to children and pets if they consume the fertilizers or are exposed to them for a prolonged period. But organic ones, although just as effective, tend to be more expensive.

And some people will generally have a preference for organic rather than synthetic for other reasons too, such as environment, health, etc. So which one would be your preference? Synthetic or organic?

My recommendation for an organic pet and child friendly one is the dadada. But there are more details on recommendations below!

#2: Liquid Vs. Granular Lawn Boosters

Another consideration is whether to opt for liquid or granular fertilizers. Each option has its pros and cons.

Liquid fertilizers are absorbed quickly into the soil. Therefore, they can have a positive effect on the lawn relatively quickly. However, it will mean that you will have to reapply the fertilizer more regularly.

On the other hand, granular fertilizers are designed to dissolve slowly, allowing for a slow and even distribution of the nutrients into the soil. That means that it will take longer for the fertilizer to have its desired effect. However, you will not need to apply this fertilizer as frequently as the liquid type.

So the question here is, would you rather have a quicker result, but apply more often, or have a slower result that will last longer?

#3: Consider Child & Pet Safety

If you have pets or children, you will need to purchase a lawn booster that does not have the potential to cause them any harm. Some lawn boosters, (mostly synthetic varieties as mentioned earlier), contain several chemicals that can potentially be poisonous to children and pets.

So check the label carefully to ensure you are using a pet and child safe product if this is what your needs are. I love this one from Amazon as a safe product, as it’s really effective and you can rest assured that it won’t harm anyone in your household.

BUYERS TIP: For a pet and child friendly, non-toxic lawn booster, I recommend the Simply Lawn Solutions Booster. It’s effective and safe to use in a child and pet friendly household.

#4: Lawn Booster According To Climate

Climate will have a big impact on what kind of lawn booster you need. You’ll need to think about the climate in your area, such:

  • whether you are in the southern or northern hemisphere
  • whether your region is wet or drought-stricken

These will have a major impact on the best type of lawn booster for your situation. Some lawn boosters perform better in certain areas than others, so it is important to establish the correct product for your climate.

BUYERS TIP: The lawn booster should be suited to the climate you live in, so that it can be as effective as possible for your grass.

#5: Lawn Boosters & The Seasons

Lawn fertilizer comes in many forms, and different types are suited to different lawns

The time of year you hope to apply fertilizer also impacts what type of lawn booster will be best suited to you and your circumstances. Grass naturally grows at different rates depending on the time of year and will require different nutrients depending on the season.

BUYERS TIP: Use the nutrient ratio of the lawn booster product to determine its suitability for your grass at any particular time of year. (Ratios are explained in this article below)

#6: Lawn Boosters & Grass Types

Another major factor in choosing the best lawn booster is the type of grass. Not all grasses have the same nutritional requirements, so you should always ensure that the lawn booster you choose will have the correct balance of nutrients for your type of lawn.

Below, we’re going to discuss how to figure out what type of lawn boosting product you’ll need depending on the type of grass you have. First, here’s some important info on the products and their labeling…

Understanding Lawn Boosters Versus Fertilizers

It’s worth noting here, that there is some overlap and confusion regarding the definition of lawn boosters and fertilizers.

Sometimes, the term “lawn booster” can refer to a fertilizer containing only Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. In other cases, there can be added micro-nutrients. However, the product is still referred to as either a lawn booster or simply a fertilizer.

There are also special products known as lawn boosters that contain far more than simple fertilizers. These products, such as the Pennington Lawn Booster on Amazon, contain grass seeds, other soil enhancers and the usual fertilizer nutrients.

The terms “lawn booster,” “lawn food,” and “lawn fertilizer” can be used interchangeably. It’s up to the consumer to ensure that the purchased product meets their requirements.

BUYERS TIP: A lawn booster product can be labelled other things, such as ‘lawn food’, ‘lawn fertilizer’, or simply ‘fertilizer’, so it always a good idea to check the label to see what it contains, rather than the name of the product.

Fertilizer Grading Explained

Look at any fertilizer or lawn booster bag, and you will generally see 3 numbers separated by colons. This shows you the ratio of three important nutrients making up the fertilizer. The nutrients are Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium, and they are present in fertilizers in different ratios.

You could have a fertilizer with a grading of 7:1:5, meaning that for every 7 parts Nitrogen, there is 1 part Phosphorous and 5 parts Potassium.

Here what each one does:

  • Nitrogen – helps with growth while fighting off pests that could damage the grass. It also promotes the lush, desirable green color associated with healthy grass.
  • Phosphorous – allows plants to convert nutrients into growth, helping to form strong root systems.
  • Potassium – is also good for encouraging growth, and the presence of this nutrient has a significant effect on the size, shape, and color of the grass.

BUYERS TIP: What does your grass need the most? Use the above knowledge of the different nutrients to find a ratio that will work best for your lawn specifically.

Best Lawn Booster for Various Lawns

Now that you have a little background on what goes into lawn boosting products, let’s discuss some recommendations depending on what situation your lawn is in…

Best Lawn Booster For Established Lawns

If your lawn is already established, I’d recommend the Scott’s Turf Builder Lawn Food which you find on Amazon here.

This lawn booster has an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) ratio of 26:0:3; this means that it has no phosphorous, making it a far better choice for lawns that are already well-established.

This product will help to bulk up and thicken your lawn while simultaneously pushing out any weeds that try to grow. This particular combination product also contains lawn seed, fertilizer, and soil improvers, which is a great added bonus.

Best Lawn Booster For New Lawns (Pet & Child Friendly Too)

Simple Lawn Solution Lawn Booster

An excellent non-toxic lawn booster that is well-suited for new lawns is the Simple Lawn Solution Lawn Booster, which you can find on Amazon here. It is suitable for any grass type and contains organic and chemical nutrients.

This non-toxic booster will ensure well-rounded nutrition for your lawn throughout the year, and is great for anyone looking for a child and pet friendly option.

Best Multipurpose Lawn Booster

If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, the Pennington Lawn Booster (Amazon link) is an excellent product. It provides long-lasting fertilizer to give your lawn all the nutrients it needs. And, it also contains grass seed and other soil enhancers. Combining these will help ensure an exceptionally healthy lawn with good growth and no bare patches.

This all-in-one product will improve the thickness of your grass in thinning areas, simultaneously ensuring that your lawn grows quicker and greener after only one application.

Best Value Lawn Booster

If you’re on a budget and just need something that will do the job for cheap, then the Scotts Green Max Lawn Food (Amazon link) is excellent value for money, as one bag can cover up to 10000 square feet of lawn!

This lawn booster also contains the micro-nutrient iron, which helps make the grass green more quickly.

Wrap Up

Generally speaking, the best lawn booster for your situation will depend on the needs of your specific lawn. For example, some lawns will need a lawn booster with higher phosphorous to promote new root growth.

However, established lawns will require fertilizer with less of this ingredient. Some lawns will need a host of added micro-nutrients. In contrast, others will survive with only the basic ingredients of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium.

Now that you have a good overview of what your lawn needs the most, you can choose a lawn booster that will most effective for your particular lawn.