Enhancing your home’s landscaping is a rewarding endeavor. With some effort and creativity, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor throughout the year. However, it’s important to use the right type of fertilizer on your sod to ensure your outdoor space receives the nutrients it needs. Here’s how to make the right selection.

How to Select the Right Fertilizer for Your Sod

1. Assess the Soil

You can’t always determine what your lawn needs at a glance. The standard fertilizer contains a healthy combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or N-P-K. The only effective way to determine whether your sod is lacking these vital components is to test the soil. You can have a professional assess it for you, or use a test kit and send the sample to an external facility. Use the results to help you select the most appropriate balance of nutrients for the sod.

2. Consider Grass Variety

What type of grass do you have? This plays a big role in determining what to select, as different types have specific needs. For example, zoysia, seashore paspalum, and St. Augustine grasses require at least an intermediate amount of fertilizer. You need to strike the balance of nutrients, as too much of one chemical can pose a threat. For example, too much nitrogen will accelerate plant growth, which may invite insects.

3. Check the Label

Follow the N-P-K formula—this is written in numbers, and each digit corresponds to the nutrient’s percentage in the fertilizer. For example, a 20-0-15 offers an N-P-K of 20% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 15% potassium. This guidance is most valuable once you have a clear understanding of which nutrients your lawn requires.

Now that you know how to take care of sod, contact the team at Alii Turf to get started on your landscaping project. Although they’re located in Wahiawa, these professionals provide sod to homeowners anywhere on Oahu. They carry various types of grass that can withstand Hawaii’s unique climate, and they’ll even connect you with a sod installer. For more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 293-8873.