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NPK 16-4-8 Fertilizer: Why, When, Where & How To Use It

Plants rely on the nutrients found in the soil to thrive and develop robustly. To maintain a thriving turf, it is essential to carefully choose and properly apply fertilizers that are suitable for each specific type of plant.

What is 16-4-8 fertilizer good for? 16-4-8 fertilizer is ideal for boosting your turf’s foliage and greenery and is suitable for all grass types. In addition, the combination of the nutrients it provides significantly boosts your lawn’s resistance to pests and various diseases and strengthens its overall appearance and health. 

This article will answer any questions you may have. We’ll also talk about its benefits to the frequency and application methods.

Let’s dive in.

Guide to 16-4-8 Fertilizer

16-4-8 fertilizer is a synthetic fertilizer composed of calculated ratios to cater to your lawn’s needs. Take a look.

What Is 16-4-8 Fertilizer?

NPK 16-4-8 fertilizer is a nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer. The numbers represent the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios, respectively. Each component has a specific purpose.

  • Nitrogen (N) in the fertilizer helps nurture the grass. It makes it greener, thicker, and lusher.
  • Phosphorus (P) targets the soil system. It helps enhance it, which results in a more robust root system. Phosphorus is also the nutrient essential for prolific fruit production and flower blooming.
  • Potassium (K), on the other hand, promotes the general wellbeing of your lawn. It also builds up plant cells and boosts healthy development.

Once the root system in your lawn is strong, this fertilizer will help keep it in good condition year round. In other words, 16-4-8 is an optimum choice for your lawn’s overall health.

16-4-8 Benefits

The NPK 16-4-8 fertilizer has more benefits than you can think of. It plays a major role in improving your lawn’s color and foliage.

It also boosts your lawn’s ability to withstand harmful diseases and insect infestations.

The 16-4-8 ratio does wonders with enriching minerals in the soil to promote lawn growth. 

Additionally, it’s an excellent aid for nitrogen deficiency, which leads to the wilting of the plant, increased root growth but diminished leaf growth, and early senescence of older leaves.

Finally, the combination of nutrients is a bonus for maintaining your lawn.

Types of 16-4-8 Fertilizer

There are two types of 16-4-8 fertilizer: granular and liquid. The first type comes in pellet form. It’s dry and grainy, which means you’ll need to broadcast it evenly over the area you wish to cover.

Some people simply mix it in with the soil. Then, they wait a couple of minutes before watering the plants.

Liquid fertilizers are nutrients in a bottle. You just adjust the nozzle and spray. They’re quick and convenient. Plus, the plants can easily absorb the nutrients via their foliage in addition to the roots.

Their one drawback is they’re not as affordable as granular fertilizers.

When To Use 16-4-8 Fertilizer

Determining when to use 16-4-8 fertilizer depends on the results of a soil test.

If the soil test shows that your soil doesn’t contain enough of the three main nutrients, it’s best to opt for a customized fertilizer that compensates for this deficiency.

Generally, early spring is the ideal time to apply lawn fertilizer.

16-4-8 Application Rates

Knowing the quantity of fertilizer you need for your lawn is tricky. You don’t want to end up burning your grass.

In general, it’s recommended that you use one pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of lawn to maintain a healthy-looking lawn.

That said, the rate at which most fertilizers are applied depends on the type and amount of nitrogen present in the material.

Even though grass requires this mineral, it’s also known to burn the grass tips if you apply it excessively.

It’s always best to read and follow the instructions found on your fertilizer bag, as application rates will vary based on brand.

When To Apply 16-4-8 Fertilizer

Choosing when to use 16-4-8 fertilizer is straightforward. Whenever you feel like your lawn requires fertilizer, apply according to the instructions on the package.

Apart from that, early spring is the best time to apply 16-4-8 fertilizer. It’s the ideal time to get your lawn ready by the summer months.

However, you may want to steer clear of using fertilizer during the colder months because your lawn will be preparing itself for winter dormancy. Fertilizers will only get in the way of that.

How To Apply 16-4-8 Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is applied differently than granular fertilizer. The latter is a slow-release fertilizer.

It’s better to spread an even layer over your lawn and let the soil absorb it at its own rate. You can also water it afterward to help with the absorption process.

On the other hand, liquid fertilizers are water soluble. They should be diluted with water prior to application.

When used as a spray for leaves, they’re often applied by sprinkling over the plant with a water can or spraying the entire plant with a sprayer. This ensures a quick and even application.

Avoid using it during peak sun hours to prevent leaf sunscald.

How Often Should 16-4-8 Fertilizer Be Applied?

You should apply the 16-4-8 fertilizer according to the viability of your lawn. If it has a healthy root system, you should use fertilizer every month.

If your lawn is on the weaker, more fragile side, it’s recommended that you apply the 16-4-8 fertilizer every two or three weeks. Then, repeat until you reach the results you’re hoping for.

Can 16-4-8 Be Used on Vegetables and Flowers?

You can use 16-4-8 fertilizer on flowering plants, especially if they have high nitrogen needs. This mineral is ideal for leafy plants, but not flowering ones.

On the other hand, if you have a vegetable garden, use a fertilizer rich in potassium. It’ll make your veggies strong and healthy in no time.

Best 16-4-8 Fertilizer

There are numerous NPK 16-4-8 fertilizer brands on the market with varying types, nutritional profiles, and quality. We rounded up the three top picks.

Take a look.

The Andersons Professional PGF Complete

The Andersons Professional PGF Complete is a fan-favorite among users. It’s ideal for different lawn types, it feeds continuously for up to 8 weeks, and the best part is you can use it year round.

This fertilizer ensures maximum absorption of nutrients, promising a faster growth rate. Consumers have even reported differences in their turf shortly after application.

Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8

Simple Lawn Solutions recorded outstanding results in different temperatures. Its application and usage are straightforward, and it’s available in two convenient sizes.

It’s made of high-quality nutrients that guarantee you a better-looking lawn in a short amount of time.

This is the right pick if you want to enhance your lawn’s foliage, boost vertical and lateral growth, and increase absorbency rates.

Lesco Professional Turf Fertilizer

Lesco 16-4-8 is a slow-release fertilizer that helps keep your lawn looking lush during the colder months.

It’s the ultimate go-to fertilizer, especially if you’re dealing with some challenges during winter. It contains iron that enables your lawn to survive winter dormancy.

As long as used in the right amounts, there’s no reason why you can’t apply it year round.

Is 16-4-8 Fertilizer the Same as 4-1-2?

No, 16-4-8 fertilizer is not quite the same as 4-1-2. While they have identical ratios, the concentration of nutrients is lower in 4-1-2 fertilizers.

Can You Put Too Much Nitrogen on Your Lawn?

Excess application of nitrogen can do more harm than good. While it may give your lawn a luscious, greener look, there’s a chance it may burn the tips of your grass if overapplied.

In addition, it can ruin your lawn’s resistance to diverse temperatures, diseases, and pests. Plus, too much nitrogen might hinder your grass’s ability to absorb water.

You can always tell if you’ve put too much if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Brown grass tips
  • Patches of brown or yellow grass
  • Spots of straw-colored grass

What Is the Best Ratio for Lawn Fertilizer?

Use a soil testing kit to identify the lawn mineral ratios and pH levels. Then, you can decide what type of lawn fertilizer you need.

Generally speaking, lawns do best with a NPK fertilizer of 3-1-2 or 4-1-2. Note that these have higher amounts of much needed nitrogen and lower amounts of phosphorous and potassium.

Do I Need To Water After Liquid Fertilizer?

There’s no need to water your lawn immediately after applying liquid fertilizer. Unlike granular fertilizer, you should wait a few hours until the plants absorb it all before watering.

After adding the fertilizer, you can then go back to your regular watering schedule. Remember, it’s preferable to water your lawn in the morning rather than later in the day.

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Conclusion

When it comes to lawn fertilizers, one of our favorite choices is 16-4-8 fertilizer. Its NPK ratio makes for the perfect sustenance for a healthy lawn year-round.

You can apply this fertilizer to your garden and plants as well. The best part is that it’s user friendly.

Whether in its granular or liquid form, it only takes a few minutes to apply and ensures an even distribution of nutrients so all your plants can benefit.