Before I tell you about the most powerful tool in lawn care, the tool that will get you to a remarkable showcase lawn, let’s talk about fertilizer.  When you purchase fertilizer, whether it is for your lawn, trees or scrubs, you will notice three numbers on the bag.  These numbers represent the  (N) nitrogen, (P) phosphorus and (K) potassium.  These are the major nutrient needed for a plant to remain healthy and survive.  All three of these nutrients must be present and at optimal levels for the turf to thrive.

 A few years ago the State of Michigan passed a law banning the major and very necessary nutrient (P) phosphorus.  This nutrient is needed for root development and for the plant to thrive.  So you will notice on many turf fertilizer products that the middle number is now zero.   By law as a licensed lawn fertilizing company we cannot apply a product containing (P) phosphorus.   The summer of 2012 was the first time in the twenty years that Master Gardener Lawn Care has been performing Soil Tests that we have seen low (P) phosphorus levels.  The ban of a few years ago is starting to affect the health of our turf.  Scientifically a plant cannot continue to survive without one of its major nutrients.

 There are two exceptions to this regulation.  The first one is, if we are fertilizing a newly seeded law.  Remember (P) phosphorus is required by plants in developing a strong root system.  The second is if the soil is determined to be low or deficient in (P) phosphorus.  The only way to real know that a plant is in need of (P) phosphorus is by performing a SOIL TEST. 

 So, the SOIL TEST is now the most powerful tool in lawn care and in the lawn fertilizing industry.  A soil test is the only way we can determine the (P) phosphorus level in your soil.  Once we have the current level we can calculate the amount of (P) phosphorus that needs to be added to the soil.              

 There are many other helpful things, such as pH, that a soil test can tell you.  But for this discussion we are only considering (P) phosphorus.

 Please note that the only way a truly customized lawn care program can only be developed is also with the help of a soil test.   So if someone is promising a customized lawn fertilizing program you may want to ask to see the soil test it is based upon.

 Master Gardener Lawn Care has been creating award winning lawns for over twenty years.  We are members of and abide by the firm code of ethics of the Michigan Green Industry Association.  We provide lawn care services in Macomb, Oakland and Berrien Counties.

About the Author 

Patrick Wesley is a Certified Master Gardener and Owner of Master Gardener Lawn Care located in Macomb County, Michigan.   Pat’s Company, Master Gardener Lawn Care, provides organic based lawn fertilizing services in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Warren, and Sterling Heights in Macomb County, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Royal Oak, Berkley Huntington Wood in Oakland County and St Joseph, Benton Harbor, Coloma, Steve in Berrien County, Michigan.  Master Gardener Lawn Care was established in 1991 and provides lawn fertilizing services, core aeration, weed control, soil testing and insect control.  For more information on our lawn care and lawn fertilizing services or to request a free lawn care analysis please visit our Free Lawn Fertilizing Service Estimate page on the www.mastergardenerlawncare.com website