The Grass Doctor

Miracle Grow Lawn Food. Please only if you really know...?

It looks by the balanced 3 numbers that Miracle Grow lawn food is as good as granulated fertilizer. Is it? If not, why not? Please only answer if you really know. Thanks!!!

Public Comments

1. I have had better luck with MG than any other self-applied fertilizer. I really like it and my lawn looks great when I use it spring and fall. I like it much better than granulated because I have trouble getting the granules on evenly enough on my odd shaped and heavily landscaped yard. Bert
2. it is except you apply it in liquid form
3. Miracle grow has micro nutrients in it like zinc also. Miracle grow is water soluble and can be used when you water your plants. It's an easy way to make sure that you don't burn them up with to much fertilizer. A bag of fertilizer isn't going to dissolve in water very fast.
4. The disadvantage of using a liquid fertilizer is that it doesn't last as long as a granular type. Being in liquid form it "leaches" through the soil and away from the root zone alot quicker than a sulfur coated granular type. Miracle Gro used to make a granular type which I totally loved, but it has since gone by the wayside a couple of years ago (please bring back the granular). One advantage of a liquid, is that it is immediately absorbed by the roots and the greening up process is very quick. However, as I said before, it will not last that long and will be leached out with every consecutive watering of the turf. The best granular ferts are "sulfur" coated and will continue to release nutrients into the soil for up to 5 to 7 weeks depending on the brand. These sulfur coated brands usually have a certain percentage of "quick" release nitrogen, meaning that they will supply a shot of nitrogen with the first couple of watering's for a fast greenup. The sulfur coated granules will be visible in the thatchzone for upwards of this 5 to 7 week period and will release a small amount of nutrients with each watering... Hope this answers your question... Added Info: The 3 numbers shouldn't be balanced if it is for turf applications. The first numeric (nitrogen) should be a higher percentage than the last 2. The "balanced" numbers should be used on trees and shrubs not the lawn. ...$Billy Ray$
5. Billy Ray is right on except the best type of slow release fertilizer is nutralene. This provides a more even release of the nitrogen. The problem with sulfer coated fert is if the sulfer coating gets cracked during handling the nitrogen enclosed is release prior the break down of the coating. You will pay more for the nutralene. Some times alot more. Fertilizer prices are directly related to oil prices, as most are a petroleum derivative. So right now, prices are steadily increasing.