Are you worried about how much 10-10-10 fertilizer per square foot is applied to keep the plants safe from over-fertilizing and better utilization of nutrients?
For fertilizing lawn grass, 10 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer having 1 pound of nitrogen is the perfect amount for 1000 square feet.
After testing many different applications, I decided to build a guide on 10-10-10 fertilizer that gives the right amounts to apply per square foot for lawns and for gardens.
Let’s get started from the major aspect of fertilizing any grass or garden i.e. soil testing.
Soil Testing – A crucial step prior to 10-10-10 fertilizer application
The better utilization of fertilizer nutrients and protecting the plants from burning by overfertilizing totally depends on doing the soil test to check the soil’s current status before any fertilization.
Results from testing provide the current status of nutrients like Nitrogen could be already present in high amounts so again application of Nitrogen will burn the leaves by overfertilizing.
If any restorative crop like alfalfa was grown in the pasture field then there are chances of nitrogen present in the soil, so the amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer could vary in pasture fields.
What Is 10-10-10 Fertilizer
Any fertilizer composed of various types of nutrients could be simple, compound, or a complete fertilizer. 10-10-10 is a complete and well-balanced fertilizer as it has an equal proportion of N, P, and K.
Three number on any fertilizer package shows the main 3 macro-nutrients i.e. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The composition of these nutrients directly relates their feasibility to plants and the pricing of fertilizer.
Pasture fields are fertilized with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10, 16-16-16, or 20-20-20 fertilizers. Achieve the maximum output of the pasture field in the form of dry matter depends on the better utilization and availability of nutrients.
Better utilization of fertilizer can be achieved only by knowing the right amount of 10-10-10 per square foot.
How much 10-10-10 fertilizer per square foot?
Generally, the rate of fertilizer application is calculated by area in square feet and multiplying the value with pounds of fertilizer per unit. Similarly, the amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer per square foot is calculated.
But the main thing is to know the optimal value of 10-10-10 fertilizer per square foot. Skipping this step and applying an unmeasured amount would lead to the burn and death of plants.
Not only the right amount of fertilizer will boost the growth, however, but it could also cause adverse effects if not applied with the optimal method and right time.
10-10-10 fertilizer is composed of 10% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and for fertilizing the lawns and gardens are calculated as:
1. For lawns
Now comes the primary query “How much 10-10-10 fertilizer per square foot”. The amount per square foot is calculated by comparing it with the amount for 1000 square feet as:
- Per 1000 square foot, 10 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer
- Per 100 square foot, 1 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer
- Per 1 square foot, 0.01 pound or 4.53g of 10-10-10 fertilizer
Like the other nutrients, P and K are in the same proportion, so the same amount applies to them too.
2. For garden/vegetables beds
In the case of applying 10-10-10 fertilizer to garden beds, the amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer will be almost the same for grass. But if the dense population of vegetables or plants is grown, the amount will be as:
- Per 100 square foot, 1-2 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer
- Per 1 square foot, 0.01-0.02 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer
For better utilization of applied fertilizer, the right application method has a vital role if done at the right time.
Type of 10-10-10 fertilizer
Many forms of 10-10-10 fertilizers are available in the market. They have no difference in nutrient composition but differ in the slow or rapid availability of nutrients to plants and application methods.
1. Time release fertilizer
Time-release fertilizers are slow-releasing fertilizers that release the nutrients very slowly for many months. It ensures less loss of nutrients by leaching and protects the plants from over fertilizing.
The best time to apply these types of fertilizer is in spring.
2. Liquid Fertilizer
Liquid form 10-10-10 fertilizers are applied in solution form after diluting with water. They provide the nutrients much faster and remain available for two weeks and then need refeeding.
3. Granular fertilizers
Granular fertilizers are the most common fertilizers that are much easy to apply but need a lot of water for completing moving them to the soil surface.
These 10-10-10 granular fertilizers persist a few more weeks in soil than liquid fertilizers.
When to apply 10-10-10 fertilizer?
The time of application of 10-10-10 fertilizers depends on the soil and grass type and it may vary by different garden plants. The perfect time for applying 10-10-10 fertilizer is as:
- For fertilizing cool-season grasses, one application in spring and twice during fall is done. Keeps the 30 days gap between both fall applications.
- In case of fertilizing warm-season grasses, twice applications during both spring and fall season is done. 1st spring application during the onset of new growth in spring and 2nd with 30 days apart. While 1st fall application when summer growth slows and 2nd with 30 days later.
- For fertilizing garden plants with 10-10-10 fertilizer, 1st application during spring and again application after 2 to 3 months.
How to apply 10-10-10 fertilizer?
The major thing to know before applying any fertilizer is its right method for application. Many people asked “how to apply 10-10-10 fertilizer to trees” and the answer to this query is also answered here.
Balanced fertilizers like 10-10-10 fertilizer are applied in many ways as:
1. Broadcasting
In this method, mostly the granular fertilizers are spread over the surface and mixed to the top 3 to 4 inches of soil with a manual hand tiller. Then a large amount of water is added for the mixing of nutrients in the soil.
2. Band or row method
In this method, the 10-10-10 fertilizer is applied to the side of the row before planting any plants in garden beds. Be careful to keep the distance from roots from direct contact of fertilizer with roots that could lead to the death of the plant.
3. Starter solution
This method of application is best for fertilizing vegetable plants with 10-10-10 fertilizer for tomato, pepper, eggplant, and cabbage. All you need is to dilute the fertilizer in 1-gallon water and stir well and pour it in the open hole before transplanting.
4. Side dressing
This method of fertilization is done in sandy soils where the leaching of nutrients is the main problem. Fertilizer is sprinkled along the side of plant rows and watered. It is the most applicable method for applying 10-10-10 fertilizer to trees.
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- Best Fertilizer for lawn
- Best fertilizer for indoor plants
Cautions Regarding 10-10-10 Fertilizer
These are some precaution steps regarding 10-10-10 fertilizer:
- Reduce the application rate of 10-10-10 fertilizer for younger plants otherwise they may get burned.
- Use the clean fertilizer spreader, because the remains of previous chemical fertilizer may damage the lawn grass.
- Application of fertilizer in solution form is best for younger plants especially the perfect option is water-soluble 10-10-10 liquid fertilizers.
- Always do fertilization with optimal rate, it allows easy absorption and protects from over-fertilization.
Article sources
https://morningchores.com/10-10-10-fertilizer/
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-101010-fertilizer-garden-36229.html