Every lawn and garden requires a good fertilizer in order to thrive, but with so many fertilizer out in the market, it can be hard to choose one.
In this article, I tell you all there is to know about the 21-0-0 fertilizer, why you should use it and the difference with others.
What is 21-0-0 fertilizer used for? This fertilizer usually comes with ammonium sulfate, commonly used in alkaline soils. It has 21% of Nitrogen, so it works great if you’re looking to stimulate the growth and green colors of lawns or plants. But especially if you have high pH soil.
This fertilizer doesn’t have Phosphorus or Potassium; it will only work for the initial growth period of your plants or if it requires Nitrogen.
If your soil is sandy, or there isn’t too much rain in your area, this can be the perfect condition for alkaline soil, so using a 21-0-0 fertilizer can be a great option, as it usually comes with ammonium sulfate.
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What Does 21-0-0 Fertilizer Mean?
The number you see in the 21-0-0 fertilizer stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
These are the basic nutrients all plants need in order to live.
In the case of this fertilizer, it only has one component, which is Nitrogen that helps with the growth and green color of your lawns and plants.
But like I previously mentioned, you will find this fertilizer with some add-ons that help with alkaline soils.
But there are other options you can use if you’re looking for a fertilizer without sulfate.
21-0-0 Fertilizer Application Rate
When fertilizing your lawn, it’s essential to perform a soil test to determine the necessary nutrients your plants and lawns need.
Not doing so is like taking a guess.
To calculate the application rate, we will follow the industry standard of 1lb of fertilizer per 1000 sq ft. Divided by 0.21 = 4.7 lb of 21-0-0 fertilizer.
When doing this calculation, you have to convert the fertilizer numbers into decimals.
So now you know for 1000 sq feet, you will need 4.7 lb of fertilizer to cover the area.
21-0-0 Fertilizer Spreader Settings
This also could vary depending on the spreader you have or even the type of fertilizer you’ve purchased.
For this, I recommend using common sense; try to make sure you set up the opening of your spreader to fit the biggest particle of your fertilizer.
So you won’t want to have it too close or open.
If you need a number to start with, you can use industry-standard and open ⅓ of your spreader dial.
21-0-0 Fertilizer Good for Lawns? (Corn, Grass, Onions)
Yes, you can definitely use this fertilizer with your lawns, vegetable plants and anything that needs nitrogen and sulfate.
Please consider that the 21-0-0 fertilizer you will typically find it with sulfate added, so if you don’t want this, make sure to take a good look at the fertilizer package, or you can use a 20-0-0 Fertilizer.
But you definitely have many options out there if, for some reason, you can’t find a 21-0-0 fertilizer without the sulfate. Other fertilizer types will also do the work you need.
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How to Apply 21-0-0 Fertilize?
This fertilizer is quite easy to use. You can follow the previous instruction I mentioned in order to determine how many pounds of fertilizer you will need.
Then you can proceed to use a spreader and apply it evenly throughout your lawn or garden.
For small areas, you can use a handheld spreader. They are effortless to use.
Best 21-0-0 Fertilizer
There are many brands that can provide you with this type of fertilizer, but I can’t say there is a particular best for this type of fertilizer.
When choosing the fertilizer, look for the obvious, the quality of the fertilizer and if it meets your nutritional requirement.
Then take a look at some reviews of the brands online, but I don’t think you will have too many issues finding a great brand to purchase the fertilizer from.
If you want a recommendation, keep reading.
Where to Buy 21-0-0 Fertilizer?
There are many locations where you can purchase this type of fertilizer online stores like amazon or moms and pops shops.
Also, Walmart, Home Depot or Lowes are a great options to look for.
21-0-0 Fertilizer Prices
The price of this fertilizer will vary depending on the number of pounds you’re going to need.
But to give you an estimate you can find this product in between 20-100 USD. And more for higher amounts of fertilizer.
Conclusion: What Is 21-0-0 Fertilizer Used For?
This is a great fertilizer if you’re looking to grow plants or a lawn with alkaline soil as it contains Nitrogen and Ammonium Sulfate. With this combination, your plants and lawn will grow fast and green. But do consider that this fertilizer doesn’t have Phosphorus or Potassium.
When fertilizing your lawn, it is extremely recommended to perform a soil test to get the best results possible.
If you are looking for an alternative fertilizer that might not include sulfate, you can always use the 34-0-0 fertilizer.
There are many options, so try to choose what works best for you and feel comfortable experimenting. That’s how you learn.