what does the numbers mean on fertilizer bag?

Justin SE IOWA · Mar 20, 2012

At Orschelns they different grandular fertilizer bags. They all have 3 numbers on them but the numbers are way different. Onehas 17-17-17 another has 12-3-4 or something like that. I want to spread some on my yard to kill weeds and such but dont wanna mow every 3 days!! What does each number stand for?

mkirsch · Mar 20, 2012

Percentages of Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potash.

http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/label.htm

Fertilizer is not weed killer. Generally it makes the weeds grow better.

You either want a dedicated weed killer, or a "weed and feed" type product. It's best to ask an expert and get the correct product for your lawn type and what you're trying to achieve.

If you can't get any satisfaction at the local box store, hardware store, or lawn & garden center, then consult with your local Cooperative Extension office.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/

tjdub · Mar 20, 2012

N-P-K

Nitrogen - Phosphorous - Potassium

old · Mar 20, 2012

If you want to kill weeds you need weed killer not fertilizer. Fertilizer will in fact make the lwn grow faster and the weeds will also do the same thing and yes you would need to mow more often as long as you also had the rain

Tom in TN · Mar 20, 2012

Justin,

In layman's terms, the numbers represent the percentages of the three primary ingredients - - Nitrogen - Phosphorus - Potassium that are in the fertilizer package.

So, if you bought 100 lbs of 12-3-4 fertilizer, that 100 lbs. would contain 12 pounds of nitrogen, 3 pounds of phosphorus and 4 pounds of potassium. The remaining 81 lbs. of the fertilizer would be inert materials.

The blend of fertilizer you need for your particular situation can only be determined by a soil test to see what nutrients already exist in your soil. Additionally, different kinds of plants (grass, corn, tomatoes, etc.) require different kinds and levels of nutrients to thrive.

So, to really do a good job, have a soil test done and specify what you want to grow on the soil. The test results will define what quantities and blends of fertilizer will help you the best.

Or, you could just buy some 17-17-17 and spread it, which is what most homeowners do.

Tom in TN

JayinNY · Mar 20, 2012

You want to get something like Scotts turf builder with
broadleaf weed control. That will feed ur lawn and kill the
weeds. Try to speed it when the grass has dew on it, that way
it sticks to the weeds for a better kill.

Daryl in PA · Mar 20, 2012

With the "Scott's" stuff, you'll go broke. Check out a product called Pasture Clean or Pasture Clear. I used it last year and had great results. One little bottle cost like 45.00 and treats 20 acres if i remember correctly.

Mike (WA) · Mar 20, 2012

I haven't had very good luck with Weed 'n' Feed- I do better with ag fertilizer (much cheaper)- something like 21-7-14 would work fine- and a 2 or 3 gallon sprayer with Weedmaster herbicide. Gets the broadleaf weeds pretty well.

Nancy Howell · Mar 20, 2012

Fertilizer with weed killer in it is a waste of money, my opinion. The most economical and effective way to get rid of weeds is to spray.

If you want a nice green yard, but not a lot of growth, get fertilizer with a high first number, 21-0-0, and small second & third numbers. Don't put it out unless its going to rain in the next few days because if you let it sit without it getting watered in, the nitrogen will oxidize and dissipate.

If you plan on watering, you can put it out whenever you choose.

paul · Mar 20, 2012

Nitrogen - the first number - makes a grass plant grow fast & dark green. Lawn will look pretty from it. Too much makes the plant kinda weak, overgrows itself. Too much also washes away in the soil, it disolves in water and goes down the drain.

Second & 3rd number helps the plant grow stronger roots, better stalks, and be a long lasting plant. Won't 'see' the effects of these 2 numbers because it's a more long-term deal to the plant.

Different soils have different needs for the 2nd and 3rd number. So there is no 'one right' amount to put on for everyone, it depends on your soil.

Weed killer is something else mixed in with the fertilizer, and not really related to the numbers you see.

Remember that most of any bag of fertilizer is actually not fertilizer at all, just inert stuff.

--->Paul

Anonymous-0 · Mar 20, 2012

The #s on the bag are the year the fertilizer was manufactered....

Rwolfejr · Mar 20, 2012

If you want to get rid of the weeds and not mow every other day buy a bottle of 2-4-D broadleaf killer at your local co-op or agway etc. and buy or borrow a boom sprayer.

Spray it on a very calm day and stay away from any flowers etc. as it'll do 'em in. Trees not so much an issue but anything that isn't grass stands a good chance of croaking if the stuff hits it.

If you have any weeds that are real high it wouldn't hurt to mow a couple days before you spray.

Best to use this stuff in the spring OR fall but don't do it twice a year. Actually will usually keep a yard nice for a couple years. Also don't put it on brand new grass that was just planted.

I think the stuff is great. In the fall when things dry up and the grass stalls usually only the weeds keep going strong. When you kill them off with this stuff... if you have a dry fall you can go for a long time without mowing and still have a good looking yard. Without it... you go out and mow the weeds and make a big dust storm!!

730d se · Mar 20, 2012

4010 guy,

That was very funny, tnaks for the laugh!

I have a bag that was made in 10-10-10. LOL

Anonymous-0 · Mar 20, 2012

When I worked at the WRGrace fertilizer plant, we sold a lot of 10-40-10 for corn...it had a more black color to it. We sold a lot of 6-24-24, but I never really knew what it was primarily used for. Our 4-16-4 was sold for hay fields, and it was primarily dust...no granular content like the others.

We also bagged and sold a bunch of the 10-10-10, 12-12-12, and 15-15-15...but not nearly so much as the 6-24-24. Not sue what the big sellers were on the bulk side of things, since I primarily worked on the bagger. But when we were on break, and our deck of playing cards would start being difficult to slide, we'd grab a handful of potash out of the bin and rub the cards down, and we'd get more mileage out of a deck.

BigTone · Mar 20, 2012

The way I remember it is: Up-Down-All Around, first number is for the color above ground, the second number is for the root system and the third number for the overall health of they plant, grass, etc... 19-19-19 is a great starter fert for the sprig, 32-0-? is great for color but you have to be careful or you can burn up whatever your growing if its not wet enough....

GordoSD · Mar 20, 2012

I thought it was wins, losses, ties of the Iowa Hawkeye football team.

Mike (WA) · Mar 20, 2012

So my bag of 21-7-14 was mfg. on July 21, 2014? Do they have a time machine? Can I get in and set it back to 1966? Will the girlfriend that dumped me still be as pretty, but maybe her attitude will have improved some?

So many questions. . .

donjr · Mar 20, 2012

Those numbers are the amounts of N-P-K in 100 pounds of fertilizer. If you want a lawn with out weeds, try a fertilizer that has a weed killer mixed in like Scott's 2+2 or a similiar product. Get a soil test and it will tell you how much to apply and when the best time is to apply it.

Big Deal · Mar 20, 2012

Look for a "$" sign followed by some numbers. It will be the price it costs to purchse it.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 20, 2012

Would that be helpful when sliding out of bed.?sometimes it's an effort.

what does the numbers mean on fertilizer bag?

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads