You will need to invest time and effort to give your grass seed the best chance to sprout and develop. (Related: How to Make Grass Grow Fast (Expert-Backed Tips))
This includes selecting the best starter fertilizer for grass seed to achieve a well-established grass lawn. With so many options in the market today, formulated with different ingredients and the like, how do you choose the best one? Starter fertilizers give concentrated nutrients to grass seed or newly sprung grass. Every product comes in various percentages of nutrients, which is ideal for multiple growth stages.
Personally, I'd recommend using starter fertilizers with balanced blends of equal parts N, P, and K. This stands for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P-phosphate), and potassium (K-potash). Avoid using excessive commercial fertilizer made with synthetic ingredients, as this may result in nutrient loss and groundwater contamination.
Note that using the wrong fertilizer could cause your lawn to burn and die off– which is the last thing you'd typically want to happen. That said, we've compiled the top picks for best fertilizers for grass seed starting.
110 Ratings
The balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the Andersons Starter fertilizer are considered ideal for most residential lawns in the country.
0 Rating
The Ferti-Lome product is ranked highly on many starter fertilizer lists today because it is a starter fertilizer that is formulated with a generous amount of potassium and less nitrogen.
4 Ratings
This next starter fertilizer also contains a balanced combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. As such, it is widely used in many lawns and turfs today.
48 Ratings
If you have an average-sized yard at home, you can most likely cut down on costs if you use this product. It is cheaper than other options included on this list– but that doesn't mean you are already sacrificing quality.
27 Ratings
This 21-22-4 formulation of the fan-favorite Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer includes mesotrione (Tenacity herbicide), which helps prevent unwanted crabgrass as you plant your grass seed in the spring.
159 Ratings
The Jonathan Green brand is known to develop some of the best grass seeds today, with long-time customers ranging from homeowners to sod farmers.
In This Review & Buyers Guide
6 Best Starter Fertilizers for Grass Seed & Lawns
Here are the best starter fertilizers for grass seed on the market today.
The balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the Andersons Starter fertilizer are considered ideal for most residential lawns in the country. That said, it’s no wonder how this product remains to be a crowd-favorite choice! It is formulated with sulfur- and polymer-coated urea (PCSCU), allowing for a slow and consistent release of nitrogen into the soil. The consistent slow-feeding encourages the proper growth of your new grass seed and lawns.
Additionally, this product's gradual, scheduled nitrogen release also helps overseed current lawns. Apply 4 pounds (lbs.) of this starter fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet. One 50 lbs. bag can cover approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of turf.
Product Specifications
This next starter fertilizer also contains a balanced combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. As such, it is widely used in many lawns and turfs today.
Considering this product, you might also come across the fertilizer mixtures 10-10-10 and 19-19-19. But, the 12-12-12 starter fertilizer may be the best choice as it includes 3% iron, Bio-Nite (a biosolid from Florida similar to Milorganite), and other essential plant nutrients like boron, manganese, and zinc. For its application, apply 4 pounds to cover 1,000 square feet and deliver approximately 0.5 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Product Specifications
This 21-22-4 formulation of the fan-favorite Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer includes mesotrione (Tenacity herbicide), which helps prevent unwanted crabgrass as you plant your grass seed in the spring. That said, this all-in-one starter gives you the most bang for your buck.
If you're using this product at the recommended rate on the bag, you can deliver up to a full pound of nitrogen and phosphorus while eliminating crabgrass and other common grassy weeds for up to 30 days. Think of it as hitting two birds with one stone– you're feeding your lawn while simultaneously preventing weeds' emergence.
The Ferti-Lome product is ranked highly on many starter fertilizer lists today because it is a starter fertilizer that is formulated with a generous amount of potassium and less nitrogen. With that in mind, the nitrogen will be less likely to leach through the soil before the germination stage. The established seedlings are also likely to be healthier, given the product contains recommended micronutrients.
This starter fertilizer is also available in different bag sizes– making it a perfect choice for homeowners who only want to seed small areas or lawns. It will keep costs much lower and limit excessive product wastage.
This next sod and seed starter from Southland Sod Farms is another popular pick if you want to ensure a balanced fertilizer ratio during seeding. But since it only contains the three main macronutrients, your grass won't get any micronutrients. Experts advise adding extra micronutrients or applying Azomite, a broad spectrum natural mineral product.
If you have an average-sized yard at home, you can most likely cut down on costs if you use this product. It is considerably cheaper than other options included on this list– but that doesn't mean you are already sacrificing quality. It can still offer standard starter lawn food mixes that lawns and gardens need.
With a 4.6 rating on Amazon, you’ll know that the Jonathan Green Starter Fertilizer doesn’t disappoint in terms of meeting your seeding & sodding lawn fertilizer needs. The Jonathan Green brand is known to develop some of the best grass seeds today, with long-time customers ranging from homeowners to sod farmers. As such, their starter fertilizer product is also known to be of excellent quality.
The 12-18-8 Green-up beginning fertilizer is widely available, regardless of whether you are located in the country. You can purchase it from the Jonathan Green website, several online stores, and even your local nurseries and hardware stores.
Quick Trivia: Siduron, a seed-safe pre-emergent herbicide comparable to mesotrione, was once used by this brand to make a different excellent starter fertilizer. Sadly though, the manufacturer discontinued making it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between starter fertilizers vs. regular fertilizers?
The amount of phosphorus in the fertilizer is the significant difference between the two. Starter fertilizer typically has 20 percent more phosphorous compared to regular fertilizer.
Is there a standard amount of starter fertilizer to use?
Applying starter fertilizers should range from 0.5 to 1 lb. per 1,000 square feet of nitrogen. Amounts greater than 1.5 lb. per 1,000 square feet of nitrogen can burn young turf and lead to poor establishment. The development of seedlings can be sped up by quick-release nitrogen.
Can I use a starter fertilizer for established grass?
Most probably not. However, starter fertilizer can be used in established lawns. It is best to use a well-balanced fertilizer because they are designed for specific grass that is established. This is because starter fertilizer may not have all the nutrients needed for continued growth and health. It may not harm your grass, but it lacks the required nutrients. Meanwhile, well-balanced fertilizer contains the needed nutrients for constant lawn maintenance.
When should I start applying starter fertilizer?
Starter fertilizer must be applied before you start laying sod, seeding, or after planting new grass seed. Using it directly on a newly planted sod can result in burning. (Important Note: Before applying the next dose of fertilizer to your lawn, you must wait six weeks after planting, so it does not burn the grass.)
You need to conduct a soil test to determine the amount of starter fertilizer required for the grass. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three most essential nutrients your turfgrass needs to grow healthy. They can all be found in starter fertilizer.
What is a good starter fertilizer for new grass seed?
The primary nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P-phosphate), and potassium (K-potash), or the three numbers mentioned on the package, are present in varying compositions in starter fertilizers for lawns. The packaging shows the amount percentage containing the starter fertilizer. For instance, there is 10 percent each of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10. These are the specific jobs of each primary nutrient regarding your turf's health: