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What Macro and Micro Nutrients Do for Your Lawn
Because plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in large amounts, these elements are known as primary macro-nutrients.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is always listed first in the fertilizer grade (or N-P-K ratio) on nutrient product bags, boxes, and bottles because it is one of the biggies. (For example, if the ratio on your nutrient package reads 11-13-3, that means it contains 11 percent nitrogen.) Plants use nitrogen to produce new green growth. Different turf grasses have different nitrogen requirements. For example Centipede should not get more then 9% nitrogen more than twice a year. Zoysia should not get nitrogen more than 16% twice a year.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus is listed second in the N-P-K ratio. (That nutrient package with the 11-13-3? ratio contains 13 percent phosphorus.) Phosphorus is essential to turf grass root growth. When you supplement the amount of phosphorus, you will likely notice more vigorous growth overall.
Potassium (K)
Potassium takes up the last spot in the N-P-K ratio. (So an 11-13-3? nutrient ratio contains 3 percent potassium.) Because grasses use potassium to build cells and tissue, supplementing this nutrient contributes to overall grass hardiness. Stronger, more durable plants are usually more tolerant of temperature extremes and are more pest and disease resistant.
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Plants require smaller amounts of the secondary macro-nutrients-sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. Iron, manganese, zinc, copper, chlorine, boron, and molybdenum are still essential for growth but are required in even smaller amounts. They are often referred to as micro-nutrients or trace elements. Each of these macro and micro-nutrients serves specific purposes for our grass.
Boron (B)
Grasses does not need much of it, but boron does facilitate nutrient uptake and it helps plants to grow new tissue.
Calcium (Ca)
As with sulfur, grasses also need calcium to make proteins. Calcium promotes new root growth and facilitates overall plant vigor.
Copper (Cu)
Copper contributes too many natural processes including plant metabolism and reproduction.
Iron (Fe)
Iron makes for healthy, dark green growth. As with magnesium, iron is essential for photosynthesis. Iron is necessary for chlorophyll formation, and without it, plants would not be able to carry out essential cellular functions.
Magnesium (Mg)
Even though it is classified as a secondary macro-nutrient, magnesium is still critical for growth. Without magnesium, plants can not use light to make food through photosynthesis. Plants also need magnesium to be able to take in their other essential nutrients and to make seeds.
Manganese (Mn)
In short, manganese makes things happen. Manganese is necessary for chlorophyll formation, and without it, grasses would not be able to carry out essential cellular functions.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Grasses need molybdenum to produce essential proteins. Make sure the nutrient solution is well aerated and not too hot or too cold. A good temperature range for most solutions is 60 to 65 degrees F.
Sulfur (S)
One of the secondary macro-nutrients, sulfur helps plants maintain their dark green color. Mainly, plants use sulfur to create essential proteins. In grasses, sulfur is essential for nitrogen-fixing nodules, and necessary in the formation of chlorophyll. Plants use sulfur in the processes of producing proteins, amino acids, enzymes and vitamins. Sulfur also helps the plants resistance to disease, aids in growth, and in seed formation.
Zinc (Zn)
Plants use zinc in conjunction with other elements to carry out many natural processes including forming chlorophyll.
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