Comparison of liquid fertilizers and granular fertilizers
Both liquid and granular fertilizers can be effective for maintaining healthy lawns and plants, but they have different properties and uses:
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GranularGranular fertilizer slowly releases nutrients into the soil over time, providing long-lasting results. It’s more expensive than liquid fertilizer, but it can be better for lawn health and contains organic nutrients that can make lawns a deep green color. Granular fertilizer can also be effective for older plants.
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LiquidLiquid fertilizer is sprayed onto the lawn and absorbed immediately, providing quick results. It can be more effective than granular fertilizer in areas with poor soil or low water availability, and it’s often preferred as a starter fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer is also ideal for potted plants and container gardens because it’s less likely to build up in the soil. However, liquid fertilizer needs to be applied more often than granular fertilizer, and it can be more expensive. Wind can also blow liquid fertilizer into areas that have already been fertilized, potentially causing burning.Some other differences between liquid and granular fertilizers include:
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Nutrient mobilityLess mobile nutrients like phosphorus are contained in individual granules in granular fertilizer, but they are more mobile in liquid form.
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Salt contentGranular fertilizers can contain high levels of nitrogen and potassium, which can cause roots to steer away.
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VolatilizationLiquid fertilizer is more susceptible to volatilization, or turning into a gas and evaporating into the atmosphere.
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