A lush, vibrant lawn is a pride and joy for many homeowners and groundskeepers. However, maintaining healthy turf requires more than just regular mowing and watering. Like any other plant, grass needs a balanced supply of essential nutrients to thrive. Understanding the roles these nutrients play and identifying any deficiencies are key steps toward establishing and preserving a flawless field of green.

This article discusses the top five nutrients critical for robust turfgrass and provides tips on how to ensure your lawn receives these vital compounds. By focusing on proper turf nutrition, you can cultivate a resilient, eye-catching lawn that will make your neighbors envious.

Nitrogen (N) – The Growth Nutrient

Of all the nutrients turfgrass requires, nitrogen is needed in the greatest quantity. Nitrogen promotes vigorous growth and gives grass that rich, deep green color we associate with a healthy lawn. As a component of proteins and chlorophyll, nitrogen fuels the rapid cell division that leads to new shoots and blades. Without sufficient nitrogen, turf growth slows, the color fades to light green or yellowish, and the stand becomes thin and patchy.

Signs of nitrogen deficiency include:

• Pale green or yellowing leaves
• Reduced shoot and root growth
• Thinning turf density
• Poor recovery from damage

While nitrogen is incredibly important, too much can also be detrimental. Excess nitrogen stimulates excessive top growth at the expense of the roots. This leads to turf that is less tolerant of heat, drought, traffic, and disease. Finding the right nitrogen balance is crucial.

There are a few ways to provide nitrogen to your lawn:

• Use a complete granular fertilizer with quick-release nitrogen to give an immediate color boost and kick-start growth. Look for fertilizers with at least 20-25% nitrogen content.
• Apply controlled-release fertilizers that slowly meter out nitrogen over 8-12 weeks. These provide a steady feeding that minimizes surge growth.
• Organic fertilizers like corn gluten meal break down gradually to release lower levels of nitrogen over time.
• Liquid nitrogen supplements can provide rapid green-up and fill nutritional gaps between granular fertilizer applications.

Proper nitrogen fertilization according to grass type and season is essential to maintain optimal growth and color. Talk to Jebsen & Jessen’s turf experts to determine your lawn’s ideal nitrogen management program.

Phosphorus (P) – The Root Builder

Phosphorus doesn’t get as much attention as nitrogen, but it is no less critical for healthy turf. This mineral nutrient promotes vigorous root growth, which is vital for nutrient and water uptake. Phosphorus also aids in seed germination and the development of new shoots. As a component of ATP, phosphorus provides the energy to fuel all plant cellular functions.

Deficiencies of phosphorus manifest through:

• Reduced shoot and root growth
• Weak root systems prone to disease
• Poor seed germination and seedling vigor
• Stunted growth and reduced tolerance to stress

Ensuring adequate phosphorus starts with a comprehensive soil test to determine the exact level present. Phosphorus does not readily leach from soil, so deficiencies are rare in established lawns unless the soil pH is very low. Cool-season grasses usually need 2-5 lbs of phosphorus per 1000 sq ft annually, applied through fertilizer. Warm-season grasses require slightly less.

• Apply a starter fertilizer when establishing a new lawn to support root development.
• Use controlled-release phosphorus fertilizers to provide a steady feed of this vital nutrient.
• Organic compost and bone meal also can supplement phosphorus levels.
• Foliar sprays deliver small amounts of phosphorus for immediate uptake.

Potassium (K) – The Stress Fighter

While not as visible as nitrogen, potassium is no less critical for the overall health of your turf. Potassium enhances turfgrass resilience against heat, drought, traffic, and disease pressure. This nutrient strengthens cell walls for improved wear tolerance and increases turf vigor. Potassium also aids in nitrogen and water utilization, boosting growth and color.

Potassium-deficient lawns exhibit:

• Reduced growth and ability to recover
• Decline in color and turf density
• Increased susceptibility to disease
• Poor cold and heat tolerance
• Excess water loss and drought stress

Maintaining adequate potassium levels prevents these issues and helps turf better handle environmental stress. Like phosphorus, potassium availability depends on regular soil testing. Sandy and acidic soils are prone to potassium leaching. Target potassium levels vary by grass species, but most turf performs best with 100-200 ppm in the soil.

You can raise potassium levels through:

• Regular fertilization with potassium-rich compounds. Look for fertilizers containing soluble potash for rapid results.
• Foliar potassium sprays deliver potassium directly to the leaves with low soil levels. These provide immediate short-term results.
• Products like The Core 0-0-6 offer a convenient soluble potassium source to keep turf thriving even under stress.

Routine soil tests combined with properly timed potassium fertilization ensures your lawn has the reserves needed to overcome whatever gets thrown its way.

Calcium (Ca) – The Structure Builder

While micronutrients like iron and manganese get more attention, calcium is a vital macronutrient that is crucial for structural development and overall turf health. This essential nutrient is a component of plant cell walls, helping provide structural rigidity. Calcium also plays a central role in enzyme activation, pH balance, and stress tolerance.

Lawns deficient in calcium show:

• Reduced shoot and root growth
• Weak grass plants prone to wilt
• Higher susceptibility to disease
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Yellowing between leaf veins

Supplying adequate calcium promotes strong cell development for heat and drought tolerance. This mineral also counteracts soil acidity and assists nitrogen uptake. Grass species differ significantly in their calcium needs. In general, cool-season grasses require 5-10 lbs of calcium per 1000 sq ft when soil levels are low.

You can provide supplemental calcium through:

• Lime applications to raise pH and add calcium to acidic soils. Dolomitic lime adds magnesium also.
• Gypsum for calcium without altering pH.
• Calcium-rich organic fertilizers.
• Foliar calcium sprays to correct deficiencies quickly.

Magnesium (Mg) – The Chlorophyll Creator

Magnesium rarely gets top billing among turf nutrients, but this mineral is indispensable in grass growth and vigor. Magnesium is central in the chlorophyll molecule, which is crucial for photosynthesis. This mineral also aids enzyme activation and contributes to protein synthesis. Grass plants cannot fully utilize light, water, and other nutrients without sufficient magnesium.

Visible signs of magnesium deficiency include:

• Chlorosis – yellowing between leaf veins
• Reduced photosynthesis and growth
• Greater sensitivity to heat stress
• Increased susceptibility to disease

Most mineral soils contain ample magnesium, but deficiencies can occur when soils are very sandy or acidic. Grass species vary in their magnesium needs, but for most turf, a soil level of 50-100 ppm is ideal. Addressing magnesium deficiency requires understanding the soil characteristics.

You can add magnesium through:

• Dolomitic lime, which supplies calcium and magnesium on acidic soils.
• Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) to correct deficiencies without impacting pH.
• Foliar magnesium sprays for rapid correction when soil application isn’t feasible.
• Magnesium-rich organic fertilizers that break down slowly.

Providing a Balanced Nutrient Program

While each essential nutrient plays a unique role in turf health, focusing on any single nutrient does not lead to optimal results. Too much of any element can throw off the soil balance and negatively impact the availability of other nutrients. A comprehensive soil test provides the baseline for building a complete fertility program tailored to your grass variety and soil characteristics.

Look for fertilizers that deliver a spectrum of essential nutrients in the proper ratios. Combined with micronutrients, organic matter, and amendments to adjust pH, you can provide everything your lawn needs without excess risk. Developing a seasonal fertilization schedule in consultation with a turf care specialist ensures your turf constantly has access to vital nutrients as needs change over the year.

For example, The Core 0-0-6 offers an all-in-one solution to build a strong root zone and deliver balanced nutrition for optimal turf health. The Core contains highly available potassium, amino acids, organic acids, and CarbCatalystsTM to provide essential energy and building blocks for all plant functions. This gives your turf the power to perform at its best by strengthening roots, improving stress tolerance, and promoting vigorous growth. The Core’s unique homogeneous granules ensure an even distribution of nutrients for consistent results across your entire lawn or sports field.

As part of a complete nutritional regimen focused on the five essential macro and micronutrients, The Core 0-0-6 builds a strong foundation for resilient, high-performance turf. These additional tools and resources can help you discover more about how The Core can take your turf to the next level.

Healthy Turf Starts Below the Surface

Like any plant, grass requires more than just water and sunshine. A vibrant, resilient lawn depends on providing a balanced nutritional program tailored to your specific turf variety, climate, and soil. By focusing on the top five essential nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium – while maintaining proper soil pH, you can give your lawn everything it needs to become the showcase stand of grass on the block. 

Contact your local Jebsen & Jessen’s turf experts today to perform a soil test and get recommendations for improving your lawn’s nutrition from the roots up.