Liquid vs Granular Lawn Fertilizer (Which Is Better?)

So it’s that time again, trying to decide which the best feed for your lawn is. When walking into the store, there are so many different types of fertilizers to choose from. Usually, we look at the nutrients they provide and whether they have a herbicide or not, but now it’s choosing between granular or liquid fertilizer; which is the best? 

Liquid fertilizer is best for home gardens; it has quick results, a low chance of over-fertilization, easy to use, little work, and the nutrients reach the roots easily. Granular fertilizer is best for large lawn areas; it is inexpensive and lasts long periods due to the slow release of nutrients. 

In order for you to decide what is best for your lawn, we will be looking at the similarities, differences, pros, and cons of the different fertilizers. The form of fertilizer that is best for you all depends on your lawn and what it needs.  

Which Is The Best: Granular Or Liquid Fertilizer 

A big decision when choosing the best fertilizer is whether to use liquid or granular fertilizer. Let’s take a look at what these fertilizers are and the differences between them to decide. Both these fertilizers contain three basic nutrients that our plants and lawn need for growth, root development, and strength; they include phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. 

Liquid lawn fertilizer is a liquid nutrient concentrate added to water, whereas granular fertilizer is dry pellets or solid pieces of fertilizer scattered over the lawn. The form of fertilizer that is best for you to use depends on your garden goals, the time and energy you have to put into it, and the environment. Before you can decide which is best for you, you will need to look at which is best for your situation and the advantages and disadvantages of each.   

Granular Fertilizer

Pros and cons of granular fertilizer 

Pros	Cons
Cheaper bought in bulk: granular fertilizers are well priced if you are on a budget and much cheaper than liquid fertilizers.	Nutrients reaching the roots: if the fertilizer doesn’t get enough water, which helps get it into the soil, it may not be absorbed by the roots.
Easy to store: as long as it is kept dry, it can be stored for a long period.	Special equipment needed: a broadcast or drop spreader is needed to apply granular fertilizer.
Slow-release fertilizer: granular fertilizer allows for a slow release of the nutrients, preventing plant burn or frequent feedings in the year.	Difficult to apply evenly: even with the required equipment, this isn’t easy. The equipment must be calibrated correctly, you need to move at a constant speed, and it may be difficult to see where the fertilizer has been placed like in thick grass.
	It is a lot of work to apply the granular fertilizer.
	High salt content: high salt content can increase the risk of lawn burning, especially in new plants or if one is over-fertilizing.

Liquid Fertilizer

Pros and cons of liquid fertilizer

Pros	Cons
Simple to Use: it is very easy to spray liquid fertilizer whether you use a hose-end-bottle, backpack sprayer, or standard spray bottle.	May separate in storage: if liquid fertilizer is stored for a long period during the winter season, it may separate. This may result in uneven application of all ingredients when applying to your lawn.
No special equipment is needed: you only need a simple hose-based spray and a hosepipe to spread the fertilizer.	Not long-lasting: this fertilizer doesn’t last as long, so one may have to fertilize more often during the year.
Can mix into other plant products: this fertilizer can be mixed with a pesticide or herbicide if you desire; this is beneficial as you can apply them simultaneously.	More expensive: liquid fertilizer costs more than granular fertilizer. This is also because you will have to fertilize more during the year.
Easy to track application: a temporary pattern indicator dye can be used to help you track where you have fertilized your lawn. This helps prevent under and over-fertilization.	The weather may affect application: if there are high winds while applying liquid fertilizer, it can lead to uneven distribution, which can cause under or over-fertilization.
Nutrient reaches roots: the nutrients reach the roots easily due to quick absorption into the fertilizer and ensures quick results.

After looking at the benefits and disadvantages, you can decide which aspects of each fertilizer are better for you and better for your lawn. Many people will have different opinions of which would work best for them; this is fine as every garden and situation is unique.

Which Fertilizer Is Best Based On What My Garden Needs?

So by looking at the pros and cons above, you get a good idea of which would suit you best based on specific aspects which will work best for your garden. Before you make your final decision, let us talk about which of these fertilizers are best in a specific situation, specifically newly planted grass or plants and seasonal fertilization.

As a starter formula, liquid fertilizer works best; this is mainly because granular fertilizer has a higher salt content which can burn the lawn. A starter fertilizer is used for seeds, new seedlings, or newly transferred plants. Liquid fertilizer is gentler and will easily reach the roots ensuring they get the required nutrients for strength and growth. 

In-season fertilization is based on the type of grass planted and when it needs to be fertilized. For instance, cool-season grass should be fertilized once in spring and twice in the fall. At the same time, warm-season grass should be fertilized once in summer and twice in spring. 

Granular fertilizer is great for this as you can leave it for long periods since it is slow releasing. You have to make sure you chart and follow the calendar based on when you need to fertilize. If this is incorrectly done, it can lead to over-fertilization. If this is too stressful, too time-consuming, and you have the money, you can use liquid fertilizer.

Wrapping Up

Looking at these two fertilizers based on what they do, their pros and cons make it much easier to decide which is best for you and your garden. Liquid fertilizer is best for home gardens where it is little work to fertilize, guaranteed to not over-fertilize and quick results.  

Granular fertilizer would be best for large grass areas such as fields and parks as it is inexpensive, nutrients are released slowly, and if you have heavy winds. I hope this helped you make your decision; good luck with feeding your lawn.