What is the best fertilizer for starting grass seed?

Author: Felix Christiansen  |  Last update: Saturday, February 28, 2026

As we mentioned earlier, the right fertilizer for you may differ depending on your soil results. In most cases, however, a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer like 10-10-10, 20-10-10, or 16-8-8 should do the trick. Whatever you decide, make sure the product you're using is suitable for the type of grass you're planting.

What is the best starter fertilizer for new grass seed?

Starter fertilizer, balanced fertilizer (eg: 10-10-10), or really any fertilizer that has a lot of P and K (and isn't almost all nitrogen like the majority of fertilizers on the shelf) is a great place to start for any lawn problems, a possible easy fix for tons of issues without having to diagnose or soil test.

Is 10-10-10 good starter fertilizer?

A 10-10-10 fertilizer is a good general purpose additive. It will give your plants what they need to grow and produce. But only if you are growing them in poor soil.

What is the best fertilizer for seed starters?

What Type of Fertilizer to Use on Seedlings. Look for an all-purpose fertilizer that contains an even balance of nitrogen (N) to phophorous (P) to potassium (K). An all-purpose fertilizer will help young plants develop a sturdy root system and lush, healthy leaves.

How soon should I fertilize new grass seed?

At about 4 to 6 weeks after the seed germinates fertilize the lawn with a high quality turf fertilizer that is predominantly nitrogen. Once turf is 4 to 6 weeks old or older, nitrogen is the most important nutrient for a healthy, attractive stand of grass.

Grass Seed & Starter Fertilizer for Your Lawn - Rex Rieger Landscaping & Gardening Service

What do you put down first, grass seed or fertilizer?

Make sure the soil remains moist but not overly saturated. Apply Fertilizer: Once the grass seed has been sown and watered, apply a suitable fertilizer. This provides essential nutrients that promote seed germination and root growth.

What is a starter fertilizer?

Starter fertilizers are a small amount of fertilizer applied near the seed to meet the demands of the seedling for readily available nutrients until the plant's root system develops. They also enhance the development of the emerging seedling.

What is best for seed starting?

Plastic pots are best for starting seeds. Good drainage is essential. Plastic pots or containers are preferable to clay pots when starting seeds, as they retain moisture more consistently. Wide, shallow containers prevent both overcrowding of seedlings and excessive moisture around fragile, young roots.

What brand of fertilizer works best?

Top 8 lawn fertilizers – Reviews
  1. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer. ...
  2. Scotts Natural Lawn Food. ...
  3. The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer. ...
  4. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder. ...
  5. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food. ...
  6. Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer. ...
  7. Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8.

Can I put 10-10-10 fertilizer on new grass seed?

Suitable NPK ratios for a starter fertilizer are 10-10-10, 16-8-8, and 20-10-10.

What are the 3 numbers for starter fertilizer?

The three numbers on a fertilizer label indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (in that order) in the formulation. For example in the table above, applying 20 pounds of a 5-10-5 fertilizer would contain 1 pound of nitrogen, 2 pounds of phosphorus, and 1 pound of potassium.

Is Scotts starter fertilizer high in nitrogen?

A: This Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass contains 24% Nitrogen in the following forms, 5.4% ammoniacal nitrogen, 10.3% urea nitrogen, 7.7% other water soluble nitrogen, and 0.6% water insoluble nitrogen.

What is best to put over new grass seed?

Remember to apply a thin layer of mulch over grass seeds. This helps keep the seeds in place. This also prevents the seeds from drying out too rapidly, keeping them moist until they germinate.

Is 10-10-10 a good starter fertilizer?

10-10-10 fertilizer is a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer containing equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's often used as a starter fertilizer for new lawns and is also suitable for established lawns.

Can you spread grass seed and fertilizer at the same time?

While it might be tempting to fertilize your lawn right after sowing new seeds, it's wise to keep these two tasks separate. Seeds and young sprouts are much more fragile compared to fully established turf, and fertilizer treatments could be too strong for their delicate growth.

Do you fertilize or seed your lawn first?

You can plant grass seed immediately after applying fertilizer. Please make sure there is no weed preventer in the fertilizer, as this will also prevent the grass seed from germinating.

Which fertilizer makes seedlings grow faster?

High-nitrogen fertilizers are known for causing huge growth in plants, which is why many types are rich in nitrogen or include it as the main component. Fertilizers high in nitrogen will also restore bright green hues to your foliage.

How often should I water seed starters?

Seedlings should be watered between twice a day to every two days depending on how fast the soil dries out and how much water the seedlings absorb. There is no hard-and-fast rule about watering frequency; instead, learn how to check when seedlings need watering.

What is a good seed starting formula?

Combine compost, topsoil, a bit of coarse sand, and something like vermiculite, perlite, or coco coir until you have a mix with a consistency that holds together when wet. For seed starting, you'll avoid using as much sand as you would when making soil for your garden.

What should I put down before seeding?

Dig or till the ground to a 3-inch depth. Rake to remove clods and smooth out the surface. Remember that you're establishing a finished grade, so include any contours needed for drainage. Add compost, topsoil and starter fertilizer and then work them into the soil.

What is the first thing a seed needs to grow?

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed into a seedling. Seeds remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination. All seeds need water, oxygen and optimal temperature to germinate.

What's the best starter fertilizer for grass seed?

As we mentioned earlier, the right fertilizer for you may differ depending on your soil results. In most cases, however, a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer like 10-10-10, 20-10-10, or 16-8-8 should do the trick. Whatever you decide, make sure the product you're using is suitable for the type of grass you're planting.

When should I apply 10-10-10 fertilizer to my lawn?

Evenly spread the fertilizer between the two circles, avoiding application close to the trunk. If the tree is in a lawn, apply when the grass is dry. Water to moisten the soil and distribute the fertilizer to a 12- to 18-inch depth. Apply in early spring or autumn when roots are actively growing.

Can I use regular fertilizer instead of starter fertilizer?

That depends, If your lawn is mature and established it is best to go with a regular fertilizer that will meet the needs of your soil. To learn your soil's specific needs, we suggest taking a soil test. If you are planting new grass with sod or seeds it's best to use starter fertilizer.

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