To keep your lawn healthy and green, fertilizing can be a good practice, especially if your soil is lacking in nutrients. Agronomy experts at the Perdue University Extension concur that periodic fertilization of an established lawn is important because it keeps the lawn looking good and reduces how much you have to water and control weeds, insects, and disease risks — that saves you money, and is environmentally responsible.
There are many fertilizers available on the market and it can often be a little overwhelming to decide which is the best for your particular lawn needs.
One option that can yield immediate results is a liquid lawn fertilizer concentrate. These cost-effective products provide systematic, long-term nutrient support for your lawn and most of them are easy to apply while offering iron and other beneficial minerals.
In this article, we’ve included a detailed user guide to the best liquid lawn fertilizers available no matter what your goal. Plus, our gardening experts have tested 10 of the top sellers from premium brands to help you choose the right one for your lawn care needs.
- Best Liquid Fertilizers For Grass
- Benefits of Using Liquid Fertilizer
- 13 Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizer Concentrates
- 1. Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster
- 2. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Lawn Food 29-0-3
- 3. Advanced 16-4-8 Liquid Fertilizer Spring & Summer
- 4. LawnStar 30-0-0 Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer Lawn Food
- 5. Envii Greenkeeper’s Secret Liquid Lawn Food
- 6. Simple Lawn Solutions 3-18-18 Liquid Lawn Fertilizer
- 7. Miracle-Gro EverGreen Fast Green Lawn Spray & Feed 1L
- 8. Environmental Factor Liquid Corn Glute Lawn Fertilizer
- 9. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Ready To Spray Fertilizer
- 10. Ferti-Lome Liquid Iron Lawn Fertilizer
- 11. Medina Ready-To-Spray HastaGro Liquid Lawn Fertilizer
- 12. Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron For Lawns
- 13. Plantworks Empathy Liquid Lawn Feed
- How to Apply Liquid Nitrogen To Your Lawn
- When to Apply Liquids
- How Much to Apply
- Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizer Conclusion
Best Liquid Fertilizers For Grass
If you’re in a hurry, then here are my top recommendations. For a tired, worn lawn that needs a boost of nutrients to strengthen roots and produce a rich, lush lawn, check out Simple Lawn Solutions. Try Scotts for a high-nitrogen fertilizer for greener growth.
Best Growth Booster
1. Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth
Professional-grade high phosphate fertilizer (6-19-0). Perfect when your lawn is worn and requires strong root growth.
Best Liquid Fertilizer
2. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Lawn Food 29-0-3
Scott’s high nitrogen (29-0-3) liquid lawn fertilizer contains a greening agent for lush green lawns.
Benefits of Using Liquid Fertilizer
There are many valid reasons to choose a liquid fertilizer over a granular formula, especially when you need an easy-to-apply product that will provide fast results and give you an even distribution of nutrients. Here is a rundown of those main benefits to consider when choosing the best liquid lawn fertilizer as well as explaining some of the advantages versus granular products.
Easy To Apply
Most liquid lawn fertilizers have the option to be supplied in a hose end bottle and trigger, giving a fast and clean application. There is no mixing, or weighing out of the product, and no need for fertilizer spreaders. Any type of spray application provides consistent nutrient support in a proportional manner, as the components are sprayed in a blended viscous form. This means, your entire lawn will receive the same amount of fertilizer throughout. What I mean is…the same ratio of nutrients per sq ft of lawn.
I have tried to illustrate my point below in this diagram. Granular fertilizers are often individual grains of a single nutrient and this can result in the uneven distribution of nutrients, with pockets forming.
High Liquid Concentrate
Since liquid fertilizers are highly concentrated, you get surprising coverage from a single bottle, with many products delivering over 3,000 sq. ft. from a 32 oz bottle. This gives the added benefit of making the product much easier to carry around the yard when compared to the larger bags of granular fertilizer needed to cover the same lawn area.
Fast Acting Feed
Liquid fertilizers provide nutrients to the roots and surface of the grass immediately so your lawn is able to absorb these nutrients quickly. Granular fertilizers, on the other hand, are designed as slow-release food that can take longer to take effect and require watering or rainfall to distribute the nutrient compounds into the soil.
Liquid vs Granular Lawn Feeds
Liquid nitrogen fertilizers have gained popularity in recent years, and although there are no real differences between the total amount of nutrients provided by liquid or granular fertilizers, there are other notable differences in application and absorption. So, let’s look at the fundamental benefits of liquid lawn fertilizer vs granular fertilizer.
Liquid Fertilizers
Pros
- Uniform and even application
- Phosphorus can absorb better in the grass
- Better for starter lawns
- Easy to apply
- Quick-release product
Cons
- Set up or application process can be expensive
- Requires more frequent application
Granular Alternatives
Pros
- Easy to store for long periods of time
- Slow release product
- Efficient for pre-planting
Cons
- May burn plants
- Harder to apply evenly
- Certain nutrients can’t be absorbed as efficiently
- Takes longer to yield results
13 Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizer Concentrates
Need help choosing the best liquid lawn fertilizer? Our selection criteria include the fertilizer’s compounds, its performance, value for money, and the level of customer satisfaction, taking into account thousands of user reviews across major online platforms. Take a look at our experts’ comprehensive review of the 10 best liquid lawn fertilizer concentrates starting from our top pick:
Pros
- Covers 3,200 Square Feet
- Ready to spray bottle
- Quick results
Cons
- Nothing of significance
If your grass needs a quick boost of nutrients, then check out this natural liquid fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions. The product promises to increase the vertical and lateral growth of grass within a matter of days.
This high phosphate concentrate (6-19-0) is energized with humic and fulvic acids, making it ideal for new sod and seeding. In fact, the Growth Booster is an excellent fertilizer for both new and worn-out lawns that need a helping hand to come back to life.
We love the hose-end, liquid fertilizer sprayer that comes with the bottle, as it makes application super easy. And since the product contains natural ingredients, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your pets and children.
Buy Growth Booster online here
To apply the fertilizer, simply attach the bottle to your garden hose and it’s ready to go. You can use it on all types of grass.
Customer reviews: users were impressed with the results that were evident within just a day or two after application and rated the product 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Contains a high nitrogen fertilizer and ‘greening agent’ to give your lawn a lush appearance
- Suitable for all grass types without risk of scorching or burning
- Just screw your hose into the bottle and spray. Can be used repeatedly.
Cons
- Spray mechanism not as good as Simple Lawn Solutions bottle
Scotts Liquid Turf Lawn Food is a 2 in 1 product that delivered nutrients across your lawn with its built-in hose pipe attachment. Connect your hose pipe to the bottle, activate the trigger, and basically water your lawn, whilst fertilizing it. This high nitrogen fertilizer delivers a 29-0-3 nutrient ratio and is designed to be used throughout the season. It also contains a ‘greening agent’ to help give your lawn a fast lush green appearance.
Like most of the products at the top of this short-list, the spray bottles connecting to your hose pipe are just a great time-saving approach to treating your lawn. Scotts Turf Builder is easy to work with, it has a simple on/off lever on top of the bottle that you activate with your thumb to control the water flow.
Cover up to 2,000 sq ft of lawn per 32 fl oz. bottle, although this will depend on the pressure of your hose. Water flow draws out the liquid fertilizer, so the faster the flow, the quicker the fertilizer will be dispersed. Check the latest price on Amazon.com.
How to Use: screw your water hose into the back of the bottle and activate the trigger spray. Continue to water your entire lawn. When done you can release the water pressure and unscrew the bottle for use again another day. This product is designed for use throughout the growing season.
Customer reviews: a few years back the sprayer mechanism was not the best, but Scotts appear to have overcome these issues. The results are great with a lush green lawn.
Pros
- Suitable for all grass types
- Super quick results
- Works even during dry weather
Cons
- Sprayer bottle may not work
This 16-4-8 liquid nitrogen fertilizer from the US brand Simple Lawns Solutions is one of our top picks for lawns and plants. The formula contains fish and seaweed, with all three major nutrients (the majority being nitrogen) for quick-release fertilization.
But since this instant-release fertilizer doesn’t stay long in the soil, you’ll need to feed your lawn regularly, until results are noticeable.
How to apply: the highly concentrated formula comes in a ready-to-use bottle, complete with a fertilizer sprayer nozzle. Just connect it to your garden hose for quick and easy application in spring and summer.
The 32-ounce liquid fertilizer works on all grass types with up to 3,200 square feet of coverage! Just be sure to keep your grass watered sufficiently for maximum nutrient absorption. Buy Advanced 16-4-8 online here
Customer reviews: users were pleased to find the Simple Lawns Solutions bottle has its own dispenser. They simply hooked it up to their garden hose and within a matter of days, their dull and lifeless lawns turned healthy and green. Thousands of customers rated this product 4.2 out of 5 stars making it a star buy.
Pros
- Excellent coverage of up to 16,000 sq feet
- Suitable for all grass types
- Long-term improvement
Cons
- Gel-like substances need warming for easy application
Does your lawn have more weeds than green grass? Have you noticed fewer clippings and yellowing foliage? These may be signs of nitrogen deficiency. The good news is, LawnStar has created a great formula (30-0-0) with a blend of fast and slow-release nitrogen for long-term results.
To kickstart your lawn’s growth and maintain it throughout the growing season, use the product in the spring and summer. You’ll see long-lasting results within a few weeks. The high-quality nitrogen formula is suitable for all grass types.
The other advantage of this liquid nitrogen fertilizer is the generous size of the bottle (one gallon) which covers up to 16,000 square feet. To apply, simply follow the mixing instructions on the bottle. You’ll need a pump sprayer or garden hose for application.
Take a look at the latest prices here
Customer reviews: users rated the fertilizer 4.3 out of 5, as they didn’t find it easy to dispense the product from the bottle. Claiming it was more like a gel-like substance than a liquid. They recommended giving the bottle a hot bath by placing it in a 5-gallon bucket filled with hot water. The gel substance will then flow like liquid. Overall, a good-performing liquid nitrogen fertilizer.
Pros
- Quick results
- Works on shrubs and trees not just grass
- Pet and children friendly
Cons
- The connector on the bottle is a little short
- Expensive
We couldn’t finish our review without recommending another natural liquid fertilizer from a family-owned, UK-based company, Envii. The 7-15-19 formula promises to improve the health of both soil and grass, with results within 7-10 days.
What makes this product so unique is its bio-stimulant technology that allows stronger root growth and increased resistance to heavy rain and drought. Furthermore, it is completely safe for children and pets as well as on other plants.
And if that weren’t enough, those who are concerned about the environment will be pleased to know that the container is made from recycled plant-based materials, so you can compost it after use!
Perhaps the biggest downfall of this product is its price. The 1-liter bottle only covers 300 square meters. There is also the bottle’s short connector that makes it almost impossible to connect to a garden hose. Go to this product on Amazon.
Customer reviews: the product has a score of 4.3 out of 5 as users were impressed with how quickly this liquid feed transformed their lawn. They even noticed the dead patches turning into a lush, dark green color soon after application. The one complaint they had was the short integral connector on the bottle, which doesn’t fit on a standard garden hose attachment. Best to use a pump sprayer instead.
Pros
- Ideal for all grass types
- Turns grass green in the quickest time
Cons
- Spray bottle may not work
Another great product from the family-owned company Simple Lawn Solutions is the 3-18-18 formula. It is especially ideal for lawns that lack potassium and phosphorus. Made from organic ingredients, this high potassium and phosphorus liquid fertilizer encourages healthy and strong grassroots in the safest way. Thus, you won’t need to worry about damaging or burning your grass with harsh chemicals, as the product is completely natural.
Another excellent feature of this liquid fertilizer is its simple application. Just like all the other fertilizer products made by Simple Lawn Solutions, minimal effort and time are needed to apply this fertilizer.
Customer reviews: users rated this product 4.3 out of 5 stars because of how quickly it turned their grass green and healthy. Overall, this is another one of our favorite liquid fertilizers from the same brand that doesn’t burn grass or other plants thanks to its natural ingredients.
Pros
- Super-fast-acting lawn fertilizer
- Convenient spray attachment
- High Nitrogen fertilizer 27-0-0
Cons
- Last 4-6 weeks, so buy a multi-pack
Miracle-Gro EverGreen Fast Green Lawn Spray is a really fast-acting lawn fertilizer that claims to work within 24 hours. I’ve used it a few times, not sure I’ve seen it work in 24 hours, but it’s fast. Give it a few days and you can see the difference. With a very high nitrogen-based N-P-K 27-0-0, you get lush green grass that will last a month or so. I would suggest applying it every 4-6 weeks for the best results.
I like to consider this product as an emergency backup. Maybe, if your lawn is looking tired and you’re going to host a party or BBQ and you need that ‘get out of jail free’ card, then this is it. You apply it directly from the bottle with a hose attachment, making for a quick, easy solution.
You can buy this product online here, or at any good garden store.
Customer Reviews: Miracle-Gro customers usually want a simple-to-use and convenient fertilizer. Well, this brand of choice will not let you down, if that’s what you’re looking for. A plug-and-play spray bottle that delivers results within a weekend.
Pros
- More area coverage
- No assembly required
Cons
- Not ideal for sprayers
- May burn plants
The natural-based liquid corn gluten from the brand Environmental Factor is designed for established lawns that need a boost of protein. As well as thickening your lawn, this product will keep out those pesky weeds. Warning: do not apply this fertilizer to newly seeded gardens as germination can get adversely affected.
How to apply: mix 3 parts water to 1 part fertilizer and spray evenly on your lawn starting from the top. Every liter of corn gluten meal covers 1,000 square feet when mixed with water.
Check the Turf Maize latest price
Customer reviews: this liquid fertilizer only scored 3.8 out of 5 as most users found the liquid fertilizer sprayer clogging up during application and some of their plants got burned in the process.
Pros
- Ready and easy-to-use bottle
- Ideal for newly sown grass
- No mixing required
Cons
- Not a lot of coverage
- May take up to a season to see results
Scott’s liquid turf builder comes with a ready-to-spray hose-end attachment to make the application super easy. This means there is no mixing required so you can use the product as soon as you receive it. On top of that, it’s safe for use on all types of grass.
Since you can connect the bottle to a garden hose, you can water your lawn at the same time. But, keep in mind that results take time and several applications throughout the year are required.
This liquid fertilizer is ideal for thickening newly planted grass, making it an excellent choice for new lawns, whether planted from sod or seed. Scotts liquid turf builder works by going directly to the roots and stimulating new growth. Even healthy lawns that require a boost of nutrients throughout the growing season can benefit from this product.
When we tested the product, we found that it gave 35% faster results than granular fertilizers. However, the bottle only covers 600 square feet, which is a little disappointing. This is a product we are happy to recommend, you can check Scott’s Turf Builder Spray latest price online here
Customer reviews: users rated Scotts liquid turf builder 4.2 out of 5 for the great results it yielded. Their lawns became thicker and greener, but it didn’t happen as quickly as they had hoped.
Pros
- A great combination of minerals to tackle deficiencies
- Low-cost liquid iron lawn fertilizer
Cons
- Needs to be used in conjunction with nitrogen lawn fertilizer
Ferti-Lome Liquid Iron Lawn Fertilizer contains 0.5%chelated Copper, 3.25 % chelated Iron, 0.15 % chelated Manganese, 0.16% chelated Zinc.
The perfect way to deal with iron deficiency in lawns, citrus trees, houseplants, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and flowers. This is not a complete fertilizer and should be used in conjunction with a nitrogen fertilizer. Ferti-Lome Chelated Liquid Iron should be used to correct your lawn’s nutritional deficiencies when you have signs of yellowing or browning.
I recommend using this spray throughout the growing season around every 8 weeks for the best results. Buy Ferti-Lome Liquid Iron on Amazon.
Pros
- Instant results
- Great coverage
- No assembly required
Cons
- Bottle is a little difficult to operate
The 12-4-8 liquid lawn fertilizer formula from Medina is a ready-to-spray product that promises to turn your lawn green quickly.
What we especially like about this fertilizer is the reusable hose-end, liquid fertilizer sprayer bottle that provides up to 4,000 square feet of coverage. When used every month from spring to fall, this liquid fertilizer will turn your lawn thicker and greener. Pick up a bottle of Medina at Amazon.com.
Customer reviews: users were pleased with how green and lush their lawns turned after the first application. They recommended applying the fertilizer first thing in the morning when the grass is moist to maximize the application. However, the product was only rated 3.8 out of 5 because of the bottle being a little tricky to operate and not creating a watertight seal with the garden hose.
Pros
- Ideal for all types of plants, trees, lawns, vegetables, and shrubs
- This iron lawn fertilizer delivers quick results
- An easy to apply liquid iron for lawns
Cons
- Can stain hands and concrete
Okay, this may not be a product with outstanding marketing behind it, but for those anemic-looking shrubs and lawns, consider this liquid iron fertilizer for lawns from the brand Southern. It really is excellent. The product turns grass a deep, rich green color, and can also be used on shrubs, vegetables, and flowers.
How to apply: mix liquid iron for lawns with water and apply as a drenching spray on the lawn.
Customer reviews: with an impressive score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, users noted the huge difference to their iron-deficient shrubs and lawns within a week after application. The yellowing leaves of their trees and limp grass turned green and healthy, which makes this product one of our favorites in terms of value for money and performance. Important: customers recommended using gloves before applying liquid iron for lawn concentrate as it may stain your hands.
Pros
- Organic ingredients
- Quick results
- Ideal for all lawn types
Cons
- Nothing of significance
This liquid lawn stimulant from the UK-based company, Plantworks Empathy, contains organic seaweed and extra iron suitable for all lawn types. The 1-liter bottle of fertilizer will cover up to 50 water cans.
The natural plant stimulant is processed using special technology to maximize the hormones that stimulate lawn growth. Along with kelp, this liquid feed also contains a wide range of vitamins, amino acids, and nutrients, including iron, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which all help the lawn become more resistant to moss and weeds.
The product is Supreme Green us available from Amazon and well worth checking out, given that it’s designed for all types of plants and grass, so has plenty of uses around the garden.
Customer reviews: users rated this product 4.4 out of 5 as it produced lovely rich green grass within 4-5 days. They also noticed how quickly their grass grew right after application. Customers liked the fact that the product contains organic ingredients, making it pet and children-friendly.
How to Apply Liquid Nitrogen To Your Lawn
There are two ways to apply liquid fertilizer to your lawn, foliar or ground application. Since most liquid fertilizers are highly concentrated, before applying the product, you’ll need to make sure it is properly diluted. Otherwise, you risk burning your plants. Having said that, some of the products we reviewed were ready to use so all that’s required is to shake the bottle well to mix all the contents before connecting it to a garden hose.
Start from the top end of your lawn and spray in a side-to-side motion to cover the entire area.
In case the product you’ve chosen doesn’t come with a spray nozzle, you can use a hose-end sprayer or even a pump sprayer. The hose-end sprayer works similarly to a garden hose sprayer.
A pump sprayer, however, is a tank that you wear on your back after filling it with properly diluted fertilizer. To operate this sprayer, you’ll need to add pressure to the tank using the handle. To release the fertilizer, hold the wand and press the button. Again, make sure you start from the top end of your lawn and spray your way down, so as to avoid walking over the newly fertilized grass.
When to Apply Liquids
When you should apply the liquid fertilizer on your lawn depends on which product you’re using. Make sure you read the instructions on the bottle as each product is either designed for spring and summer or year-round application. That said, liquid fertilizers are generally applied in spring to help your lawn absorb all the nutrients.
Some of the products we recommended are specifically for spring and summer. The first application is given in spring with subsequent small doses applied every few weeks until early summer.
Note, if you’re applying chemical liquid nitrogen fertilizer at the peak of the summer season, it may burn your lawn. It would be safer to use an organic liquid fertilizer early in the morning during the summer months, to avoid damaging the grass. On a final note, make sure the ground is moist when fertilizing your lawn for optimal effect.
How Much to Apply
How much liquid nitrogen fertilizer you should apply depends on your lawn’s size and how much nutrient it needs throughout the year. If you apply too little, you won’t get the desired results; apply too much and you may damage your grass, so it pays to know the right amount of fertilizer to apply.
Soil Testing
The best way to determine how much liquid fertilizer you need to apply is to test your soil. By using a soil test kit, you will know how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium your lawn needs. There are many simple-to-use home test kits that measure all three of the main nutrients in your soil. The ones we like are in the form of capsules from Luster Leaf.
Once you find out your soil’s deficiencies, you can then choose the right fertilizer. Check the product’s NPK ratio and be sure to follow the instructions.
Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizer Conclusion
Liquid lawn fertilizers provide a simple, quick, and many times easy application for small and large yards. While these fast-acting products yield excellent results, they often require regular application for optimal lawn establishment.
Whether you’re looking for a specific feed for your newly sown grass, or you want to give your tired, old lawn a new lease on life with a liquid iron for lawns, you’re bound to find the most suitable liquid fertilizer from our shortlist of outstanding products.
If you’re really still confused and just want a recommendation I would suggest Scotts Liquid Turf Builder for new lawns, and all the products from Simple Lawn Solutions are well worth checking out for established grass.
Best Growth Booster
Simple Lawn Solutions Extreme Grass Growth
Professional-grade high phosphate fertilizer (6-19-0). Perfect when your lawn is worn and requires strong root growth.