Fertilizer

As the song goes, “It’s so good to touch the green green grass of home,” dear lawn owners that like to take care of their lawn, welcome to this article where we talk about the fertilizers you need to buy to keep that lawn green and your house neat.

First off, thank you for taking care of your lawn. If you are beginning to take care of it, good job, it’s never too late, and welcome to the civilized world of civilized adults that take care of their lawn. This might also be somebody’s first time owning a lawn or being responsible for a lawn, and we would like to welcome you folks to the club.

So, long time lawn fertilizer users know how important they are for the health of the grass. If you didn’t, now you do. Good lawn fertilizer and a combination of little care and little time is what makes my next-door Tony’s lawn look so amazing and green. The whole block smells great due to freshly cut Bermuda Grass when Tony mows the lawn every Saturday noon, sipping Samuel Adams. I got a Tony, I hope everyone has a Tony, and if you are the Tony of your neighborhood, then Tony, you are breathtaking.

If you are here, then it would be fair to assume that you have heard about Scotts. If you haven’t and stumbled your way here, Scotts (The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company) is publicly traded on NYSE and headquartered in Marysville, Ohio. This company was founded more than 150 years ago.

Since then, the “Scotts” has been a household trusted name for fertilizers and pest control. Before we move on to the different Scotts lawn fertilizers, let’s take a look at our “know before you buy” section, which has do’s and don’ts using the lawn fertilizer. If you are well versed in that section, feel free to scroll down.

Know Before You Buy

If this is your first time dealing with lawn fertilizers, then you should know that it can get a little overwhelming. You will expect grass to grow tomorrow, but that’s like going to the gym for a day and returning home and searching for the six-packs. It’s a natural process. It’ll take its time. Yes, it takes time even after you use the fertilizers.

There are mainly two types of lawn fertilizers. One is liquid fertilizer, and the other is granular fertilizer. That is based on its physical attribute. Based on the chemical attribute, there are also two types of fertilizers; organic fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers.

The organic fertilizers are the ones with have organic matters and natural ingredients such as blood, bone meal, or other living organisms.

The synthetic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer is the one with chemical substances on it.

If this is your first time, then I suggest you use the granular chemical fertilizer. However, if the lawn is in pretty terrible shape, then go for the liquid fertilizer. They act rather quickly but also need a spreader.

The spreader is the device that you use to spread the fertilizers on your lawn. With granular fertilizers, you can just spread by hand, although more effective if the spreader is used. With liquid ones, they are the necessity.

Moving on to the next point. You need different fertilizers for different seasons. You cannot use the same fertilizers all-year-round and expect great grass in your lawn. There are fertilizers for different seasons because the need of the grass changes according to the season.

In the summertime, your grass needs to grow rapidly and give that beautiful color of green. However, in winter, it needs extra nutrients to survive the harsh cold, and the roots need strengthening so that they come out in full force coming spring.

Don’t forget the pest control too, mostly in summertime. You can do everything right, but the pesky pests are out to get you and your grass. So, we need to look for the formula with insecticide property built-in.

Finally, see if the fertilizer you are using is child and pet friendly. What happens with the fertilizers that aren’t kid or pet friendly is that they cause rashes and burns in the skin of child/pet. There have been instances where the fertilizer caused an allergic reaction that was very nearly fatal. So we better watch out for that.

So that concludes our “know before you buy” section.

Here are the different Scott lawn fertilizers and what the users and Amazon are saying about them.

Best Scotts Lawn Fertilizer and their Review

A little disclaimer here, please take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt just because they may or may not be real people or people that are writing negative or great reviews for their benefit.

1. Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control

Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard is the lawn fertilizer from Scotts used when summer is right around the corner, and it’s a growing season. This is infused with the primary nutrients needed for the grass’s root system after surviving a harsh winter. Strong roots give way to alive and lovely grass come summer, grow in full potential, and are capable of withstanding heat and drought.

Turf Builder SummerGuard is available in two packets. One that will cover 5000 sq.ft will set you back about twenty-six bucks whereas, the bag with 15000 sq.ft coverage ability will cost you $65.99. It is a granular fertilizer.

The good thing about this Scotts fertilizer is that it can be used for any type of grass. Additionally, it also has an insecticide capability to it and prevents the insects and common lawn pests arriving with the first rays of summer.

Pros

• Rich in a nutrient that keeps the grass ready for summer.
• Great for warm-season grasses.
• Insecticide character, tough on insects.
• It can easily be applied in the wet or dry lawn.

Cons

• Isn’t a pet/child friendly
• Multiple applications are needed.

What do Amazon reviewers say?

This denotes that the product is quite popular. Among the good reviews, a gentleman from Oregon writes he is pleased with the results. He lives in a part of Oregon, where the lawn is blasted by sunlight all through the summer and snow all through the winter. He is most happy with its insecticide ability and has gotten a thick, green lawn.

Among the bad reviews, there are plenty that says; they burned their lawns. Everyone claims they used the correct amount, but the lawns burned all the same. The manufacturer does caution that the burn-in lawns might occur if used excessively. However, they are a tiny percentage of reviewers but concerning nonetheless.

2. Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard Fall Lawn Food

Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard Fall Lawn Food is the granular fertilizer you apply at the beginning of the fall. This lawn food comes with rich nutrients and preserves the grass from the harsh conditions of the winter.

Additionally, they help the grass grow downwards. As a result, it aides the root growth leading to great green grass in the growing season coming spring. This slow-release formula is also uniquely capable of repairing the damage done from lots of activity on the grass by reinforcing deep roots.

If you have a child or pet and are causing damage to your lawn, this lawn food repairs the grass and is child and pet friendly. It comes in granular form and works on any type of grass.

Pros

• It can be used for repairing grass.
• It also works as a weed killer.
• Child and Pet friendly.
• Great for cool-season grasses.
• Weed preventer.

Cons

• May cause burning in some areas.
• A large amount of usage can disrupt nearby vegetation.

What do Amazon reviewers say?

5-stars (73%), 4-stars (15%), 1-star (3%), 2-stars (3%)

Amazon shoppers look very happy with this product.

One 5-star giving shopper Ashley from the SoCal region is happy that her lawn recovered, previously destroyed by having a lawn party. The grass came stronger than ever before, says Ashley. To top it off, she is also happy that her pet enjoys quality time in the grass, and she is not worried about it.

However, one one-star reviewer suggests that quality control at Scott’s is down in the gutter as Don’s healthy lawn with Kentucky bluegrass became infested with weeds and dandelions. In the same vein, one-star reviewer Kevin’s lawn burnt in patches in just a week of using the product adding new weeds and dandelion into the mix.

The lesson here is that we should stick to the instructions given in the package and figure out if the soil is the right kind for that particular fertilizer.

3. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food is the all grass type and all climate lawn food from Scotts and can be called the ultimate lawn food.

The best thing about this Scotts fertilizer is that it greatly increases the lawns ability to absorb nutrients and water, encouraging root development.  This is designed so that you can use this in any weather and any climate.

This is your safe bet if you are struggling with what to use in your lawn. It is the granular fertilizer and is safe for your pet/child.

There is a downside to this formula, though. The formula is made that it quickly releases itself onto the ground, and if there is scorching sunlight in the sky, then it may burn a patch of ground. Hence, it would be best if you waited for sundown to spread this fertilizer.

Pros

• All-purpose fertilizer.
• It can be used as a starter food.
• Works in all weather.
• Child and pet friendly.
• Suitable for insect control.

Cons

• May cause grass to burn if used in sunlight

What do Amazon reviewers say?

5-stars (74%), 4-stars (16%), 1-star (3%), 2-stars (2%)

As with all the other Scott products we have reviewed here, this also scores good points from Amazon shoppers. The large mass generally seems happy and content with its all-season, all-grass formula.

Among the five-star reviews, there is one from a user named “Saltmine,” that claims the product did well in her lawn with Bluegrass in Los Angeles. With lots of other five-star reviewers like her, she is happy about the green grass that grew, thanks to this fertilizer.

As with the cases with 1-star reviewers, the complaints about burning patches or entire lawns persists. But one-star reviewer Tiffany has a piece of excellent advice for first-time users of the product. The recommendation is to first apply in a small patch in the backyard or some corner and see the effects before committing to using the product on the whole lawn.

4. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food

This formula is recommended when you need to repair a patch of burnt grass and want the quick result or give a new life to the lawns’ grass. This quick release formula aides to the grass’s rapid growth, and having a lush, green lawn. It is generally used in the growing season. It will take about three days to see the results.

This formula can be used with another fertilizer. This product is also a child and pet-friendly.

Pros

• Works for all grass types.
• Child and Pet friendly.
• Great for golf-courses.
• Suitable for insect control too.

Cons

• May cause burning in the case of uneven watering.

What do Amazon reviewers say?

5-stars (69%), 4-stars (16%), 1-star (6%), 2-stars (3%)

This product does well with Amazon shoppers.

The five-star reviewers are happy about the fact that their lawn got a darker shade of green in just a couple of days. Mohamed, a five-star reviewer, is pleased that his yellowish looking Fescue grass lawn has recovered very well.

On the other hand, the one-star reviewers are furious that this product is a dud. Morgan, who gave the product a one-star review, claims that she had high hopes for this product as she is a frequent user of Scotts weed control products. However, she was disappointed to see that the product did absolutely nothing for her lawn.

Our Verdict

After going through Scotts products and finding out how people are reviewing them on Amazon, Scotts seem to have solutions for your problem. However, if you still don’t find yourself committing to a particular product, then please go ahead and explore other options by other companies such as Espoma and Jonathan Green or try some organic fertilizers. They also do have nice fertilizer products and deserve your attention.

However, as I told earlier, you do have plenty of choices available at Scott’s. If you are satisfied with the Scotts products and this is your first time, Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food may look like an ideal choice for any season.

Hence, go ahead and make a decision. You are now educated enough on lawn fertilizers and Scotts products to know what suits you the best. I am sure you will now make the right call for your lawn.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the lawn fertilizer?

A. Lawn fertilizers are the supplements that we add in the soil, which provides the essential nutrients that help the grass grow and keep pests and lawn insects at bay. They strengthen the roots and help the grass get healthier and more robust.

Q. Should I fertilize my lawn?

A. Of course, if you are looking for a luscious green lawn, you should fertilize it properly and use insecticide.

Q. When should I fertilize my lawn?

A. The proper fertilization timing is one of the most important things. The lawns are fertilized in spring for the best results. However, there are fertilizers available for nearly every weather now. The experts do suggest that the temperature should be around 55-degree Fahrenheit. Therefore, early to mid-spring is the sensible choice.

Q. Can I fertilize my new lawn?

A. The lawn community’s consensus is that you should not fertilize the new lawn, especially if you have just planted the grass seeds. Let the grassroots get hold of the soil properly and then only fertilize after about three months using whatever fertilizer is suitable for the condition.

Q. Are Scotts fertilizers any good?

A. Yes, Scotts is in the lawn fertilizer business for a very long time, and most importantly, they have a wide variety of lawn fertilizers for every season and your every need. If you are new to this, Scotts also provide a lawn care plan to help you on this journey as they have excellent customer service.

Fellow gardeners will know, growing cucumber takes quite an effort because they need extra love to grow correctly. Whether you are growing only a few cucumber plants or more than a dozen, you will have to come across choosing a fertilizer for your cucumbers at one point. People who are new to gardening often make the mistake of assuming that every fertilizer is the same. While all the fertilizers available on the market promise to help your plant grow properly, only a handful of them are actually worth the money.

With good granular fertilizers or liquid fertilizers, you can grow green cucumbers twice the regular size and can have better fruit production. This is not an exaggeration as there are countless cases of people obtaining this result. Fertilizer is a must if you are planning to increase the total output of your plant. So how does the fertilizer help get that result?

Is fertilizer really needed for cucumbers?

When you plant cucumbers, good fertilizers provide your plant with all the essentials like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These elements are essential for your plant to grow to its full strength. Although cucumbers have low nitrogen requirements, they need high levels of phosphorus and potassium.

Before you jump into buying the best liquid or granular fertilizer for your cucumber, make sure that you know your soil Ph type. Knowing your soil types is necessary for determining what kind and how much nutrients are needed for your cucumber. Regular heavy soils might need less fertilizer than sandy soils. When you harvest cucumbers, you don’t need to be worried about the technicality of the nutrients and soil type. Just a little bit of quick research will be enough for you to make an assessment.

There are fertilizers on the market from several brands. While most of them work just fine, some of the fertilizers available work exceptionally well. Here, we have listed four best fertilizers to help your vining cucumbers plant grow to its fullest.

1. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food, 4.5 lb.
2. Jobe’s Organics 9023 Fertilizer, 16 lb
3. Dr. Earth 708P Organic 9 Fruit Tree Fertilizer
4. Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition

Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food

The Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed is on the top of our list of the best fertilizer for cucumbers. You can get the product in 1lb, 4.5lb, and 8 lb. This water-soluble fertilizer contains natural ingredients with organic matter for the microbes in the soil to feed on. Additionally, the company claims that you can use the product for up to 3 months.

Some things to keep in mind when using the Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed:

• Apply dry and don’t pre-mix the fertilizer with water
• Never apply the fertilizer to wet foliage
• Don’t pile the fertilizer against the plant stem
• The recommended rate is 1/2 cup per 10 square feet approximately.
• Mix the fertilizer in the top one to three inches of soil and mix it evenly
• Reapply the fertilizer every three months.

What are people saying on about Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food

The Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed is a popular product on Amazon. Currently, it is Amazon’s choice when it comes to the best fertilizer for cucumber. Moreover, the product has received 77% 5-stars of more than 8 thousand reviews by the users. This implies that the product is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a fertilizer for their cucumbers.

Talking about the positive reviews, quite a few people have commented saying that they have been using the fertilizer for several years. They are happy with the product and have also shared their success stories. One happy customer, Gia M, has shared her story of how she was able to grow cucumbers and zucchini the size of her forearm. That is quite impressive. Furthermore, there are several other positive reviews from happy customers.

On the critical side of things, however, people have also complained that the fertilizer does not work at all. One of the reviewers has shared that his/her tomato yielded less fruit than usual after using the Shake ‘N Feed. There are also multiple reviews of people suggesting that the fertilizer killed their plants.

With most of the reviews being positive, it is straightforward for us to recommend this fertilizer for growing cucumbers as well as cucumber flowers. However, since there are also reviews of the fertilizer destroying plants, keep that in the back of your mind.

Jobe’s Organics 9023 Fertilizer

Jobe’s Organics 9023 Fertilizer is the next product on our list. It is available in 1.5 lb., 4lb, or 16 lb pack. The company claims that the fertilizer is synthetical chemical-free and is USDA certified.

According to the company, Jobe’s Organics improves the soil environment for your plants and reduces the risk of disease and insects.

Steps to Use

• Mix the fertilizer with soil before planting
• The recommended amount is 1 ½ tablespoon per 2-inch plant
• Use 1 ½ tablespoon per 4-inch pot for container gardening
• Use 1 ½ cups per foot of plant spread for established Vegetable & Tomato Plants.
• The Jobe’s Organics 9023 Fertilizer is biodegradable. The company claims to provide long term benefits and a healthy eco-system for your garden.
• Enough about the company claims. Let’s look at what the buyers are saying online.

Amazon Reviews

The product has received 72% 5-star out of more than 4 thousand user reviews. The top positive comment from SJ is quite impressive. SJ says that she compared the plant that used Jobe’s Organics with another plant without any fertilizer. The side-by-side comparison showed that the plant that used the Jobe’s grew far better than the one without it. People who have used the fertilizer on cucumbers, tomatoes, roses, and other plants have had positive experiences.

One of the top critical reviews of the product is from Sirahdia Stewart. She is not happy with the product and has stated that the fertilizer caused fungus to grow in all her house plants. In addition, there are multiple other negative comments of people complaining that the fertilizer grew mold in their flowers. It looks like there are quite a few side effects of the product.

Dr. Earth 708P Organic 9 Fruit Tree Fertilizer

Dr. Earth 708P Organic 9 Fruit Tree Fertilizer is another natural fertilizer on our list. This fertilizer product does not contain GMOs, sewage sludge, or chicken manure and is made up of 100% organic and natural ingredients.

The company claims that you will not need chemical fertilizers if you use this natural one. While believing in a company’s claim in naïve in today’s world, the fertilizer has worked for many buyers, as suggested by the testimonies online.

Buyers’ comments 

If Amazon reviews are anything to go by, people are satisfied with the product. It has received 74% five stars out of 530 customer ratings.

People who have liked this Dr. Earth product have commented that they have seen a noticeable difference in their plants and flowers with the introduction of the product. Moreover, people have used the fertilizer on various trees, including apple, lemons, mango, and avocado, with successful results.

There are some negative reviews of the product as well. Some people have complained that the description of the product online does not match what is in the bag’s description. Additionally, some customers have also complained about the smell of the fertilizer. Just like every other fertilizer that we have reviewed, this fertilizer has not worked for some people.

Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition

The Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition from Miracle-Go is the final product on our list. If you do a quick search online, you will find many people recommending this product for growing tomatoes and cucumbers. We can see why.

The company claims that this natural fertilizer instantly feeds your plant. Furthermore, they have also claimed astonishing results on fruits and flowers due to the enhancement of micronutrients.

Here is what buyers have said on Amazon:

Out of 1.2k reviews of the product, 71% are 5-star reviews. People are satisfied with the fertilizer’s price and its quality. Most of the positive buyers have seen significant improvement in their plants after introducing the Miracle-Gro Performance Organics.

Those who did not find the product any good have complained about the smell. Some of the reviewers have stated that the fertilizer does not dilute entirely in water.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

How much fertilizer does a cucumber plant need?

It depends. In most cases, you will need around 1, ½ pounds per 100 square feet. We suggest you check the details on the packaging before you apply the fertilizers to your cucumber.

How many cucumbers will my plant produce?

In general, a healthy cucumber produces around five pounds of cucumber.

Why are the leaves of my cucumber turning yellow?

Your green cucumbers plant could be turning yellow due to the following reasons:

• Lack of sunlight
• Cucumbers have become overripe
• Lack of balanced nutrient
• Overwater

Can I make a homemade fertilizer for my cucumber?

Yes. You can definitely prepare homegrown fertilizers for your cucumber plant, flowers, and other plants. However, if you are entirely new to the field and don’t know much about gardening, getting fertilizers from the market in the right thing to do. We have seen people having excellent results with homemade compost.

Is it healthy to eat the skin of a cucumber?

Many people don’t know this, but eating a cucumber’s skin is one of the healthiest choices you can make. The skin of cucumbers has vitamins and nutrients stored in them. So, next time you are planning to make a cucumber dish, don’t peel away the valuable skin.

Some Tips for Beginner Cucumber Growers

Give your plant a steady supply of water

As you might have heard it in your science class, cucumber is made up of 95% water. So, yes, a cucumber plant needs moisture to grow. If you are not consistent with watering cucumbers, you will not see good production from your harvest.

Provide Right Nutrients

The nutrients on the soil begin to run out after some time. Hence, you will need to supply steady nutrients (organic fertilizer) for your cucumber plant to thrive in your garden. This is applicable for plants on a container garden as well as organic gardening.

Know when to pick your cucumber

Researches have shown that a cucumber plant will cease production if the cucumbers are not picked regularly.

Final Words

That’s about it for this article. We hope this was helpful for you in choosing the fertilizer for the next time you plant cucumbers. You will not go wrong with any of the products above. However, quick research before you buy commercial fertilizer formula, nitrogen fertilizer, or slow-release fertilizer is essential if you want positive results on your gardening. Moreover, knowing some details about the terms like per cent Nitrogen, high Potassium, high phosphorus levels could be helpful in the long run.

Reach out to us if you have any queries. Stay safe and happy gardening!

Those people who are interested in gardening, then they must have already been encountered with the peat moss. It is a very common term in horticulture, and it needs to be well understood. This moss is an excellent product for making your garden more productive.

What is peat moss?

Sphagnum moss, a versatile gardening material, is the dark brown fibrous product made up of sphagnum moss and other organic materials that decompose in peat bogs over many years. Peat moss first became available to gardeners in the mid-1900s. It also comes in handy for various landscaping tasks. Peat moss is similar to that compost made in the backyard by the gardener himself. Still, the difference between them is that the peat moss is composed mostly of moss, and its decomposition happens without the presence of air. The absence of air slows down the rate of decay. It takes several millennia for peat moss to form and decompose. Since this process of making is so slow, it isn’t considered as a renewable resource.

Some of the essential benefits of peat moss are as follows:-

1. This moss provides a sterile medium that is ideal for growing your plants.
2. As it does not contain any harmful chemicals, it is good practice to add it to any static mix for growing vulnerable plants.
3. It is suitable for acid-loving plants because of its acidic nature.
4. It is not that compact, so it is of great advantage over other organic materials.

Uses of peat moss

Peat moss is an absorbent material, so it is suitable for many different garden uses. This includes creating fertile and productive soil, growing plants in a faster way, and making them healthy. Having essential characteristics such as high absorbency, acidic pH value, sterile material, and many more, this is the feature that every gardener wants.

Transplanting plants

In the garden, shrubs and trees are major attraction which provides texture and dimension. If the soil where you want to transplant large plants does not promote healthy growing condition, then this can be a challenging one. But it has a fluffy texture, which is suitable for transplanting plants. Peat moss needs to be added with soil, and for the best result, 1 part of peat moss should be combined with two parts of soil.

Fortifying your garden

Here, fortifying means bracing your garden. Peat moss, an absorbent and acidic material, is an excellent soil conditioner. It encourages the healthy growth of plants. It also prevents the soil from losing its nutrients and also aerates the roots of a plant, maintaining a healthy level for the garden. Therefore, it provides a healthy lawn.

 Potting soil

One of the common ingredients in potting soil is peat moss. Being light in weight and fluffy, it allows entering enough air for the plant’s root to breathe effectively in the soil. It also helps to retain necessary nutrients, as it holds moisture well. As it compacts easily, peat moss surrounds the plant roots.

Composting

Peat moss acts as compost manure too. It fertilizes your plants in a friendly way by recycling decomposed organic materials. This moss decomposes more slowly as compared to the compost materials so that it allows you to ensure the long-term nutrient content of your soil. This is done by balancing out other organic material that decomposes in a short time. For a good result, 1 part of peat moss is added to 4 parts of the compost.

On the other hand, peat moss also has some of the disadvantages such as:-

• Peat moss is not that fertile despite being organic material.
• If you want to grow plants that are alkaline lovers, then compost is a suitable one for growing such plants instead of peat moss being acidic.
• This moss is quite expensive.

How to grow Sphagnum Moss?

Peat moss is used for gardening purposes. It is found in damp cold places, and you do not need to grow them. But, there are some places where it is not available, so you need to grow them. You can grow peat moss in three steps.

• Step 1: Finding moss

First of all, we need to pick out small weeds of moss, along with a little bit of soil attached to it so that it does not fall apart. Mosses are found in the damp, shaded places. They are grown on trees, rocks, and ground.

• Step 2: Chop and mix

Chop up the moss and then add some amount of yoghurt in it. Mix it well to get a pasty consistency.

• Step 3: Grow

And, the final step is to grow peat moss. To produce it, spread it on a rock or tree in the damp place. Wait for a month and check back.