Fertilizing your lawn is generally a must if you are looking for a lush, green expanse that serves as an extension of your outdoor living space.
But lawn fertilization, while extremely necessary, may come with health risks for children and pets; at the very least, you need to stay clear after application to allow the chemicals found in the substrate to work their way into the soil. Most chemically made fertilizers have safety guidelines and include labels as pet and kid safe after being watered. But we prefer organic fertilizers, and there are many natural choices to choose from.
Organic fertilizers are included in this variety of lawn feed, and Dr. Earth Lawn Fertilizer is one such option. It is made from 100% natural and organic materials to be a wholly kid and pet friendly fertilizer.
Dr. Earth Lawn Fertilizer Comparisons Chart
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Dr. Earth Lawn Fertilizer |
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Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Fertilizer |
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Scotts Natural Lawn Food |
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Revive Organic Soil Treatment |
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WHY CHOOSE DR. EARTH LAWN FERTILIZER?
Dr. Earth is an organic company focused on the use of all natural, safe, nutrient compounds for all your soil, fertilizer, and pest control needs. Their vision surrounds a cutting-edge commitment to clean and healthy gardening in order to put an affordable, and safe product on store shelves.
Founded 23 years ago, the company has continued to grow alongside the growing organic movement that attempts to address the needs of both yards and gardens to keep them sustainable and healthy- without the negative effects of long term chemical uses.
The company has made a pledge to keep all GMO’s, chicken manures (which can carry salmonella), and biosolids (sewage) out of their products to keep from spreading the unwanted and unknown into your yard. This commitment to their product ingredients shows a high level of integrity found within the business.
PROS
- All organic, all natural
- Slow release formula that works fast and lasts for months
- Pet and child safe
CONS
- Not as readily available in stores
- May be a slight delay before seeing results
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FEATURES & BENEFITS
The company has a long list of benefits for use in both your garden and on your lawn, but their lawn fertilizer is specially formulated from hand crafted blends of natural and sustainable products.
100% NATURAL AND ORGANIC
Dr. Earth Super Natural Lawn Fertilizer is a 100% natural and all organic product that has been carefully created to meet the needs of a growing lawn. Bone and fish meals, as well as leafy extracts from various plants, make up the bulk of the nutrient base found in this fertilizer. It is formulated especially for all grasses, it is safe to use on ornamentals as well as bamboos- even if they are within a container.
Their products are also safe from biosolids and chicken litters, both of which are natural products, but carry the risk of unwanted contamination. Plus, you can make a compost tea from this substrate as a foliar spray if wanted.
9-0-5 NUTRIENT RATIO
The nutrient ratio, shown as a series of three numbers, refers to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium respectively. Nitrogen is responsible for growth, and rich, green leaves. This higher amount is what you want for the lush, green living carpet you are looking for. Phosphorus, which is not included in this mix, is what helps with additional root growth through leaf transfer of nutrients. This is not as an important component with quick growing grasses that you are most likely continually cutting.
Potassium is the nutrient responsible for water use and how well the plant deals with water stress. This is especially important for lawns since they have a shallow root system and are most likely not watered daily.
SLOW RELEASE FORMULA
Fertilizer nutrients are found in a pelletized substrate that when added to your lawn and watered, allows an initial immediate release of nutrients into the soils. This provides a quick feeding for your grasses, while also encapsulated for further nutrient release over the next few months. You can also use these pellets within a compost tea for an additional quick feed at any time, or even as a foliar spray to feed the leafy green of the grass plant itself.
This slow release recipe is a benefit for both your lawn, and your pocketbook, as you won’t have to feed continuously through the growing season to maintain a lush and healthy looking lawn. For further lawn soil health, the company suggests a three step process that top dresses lawns in the early spring, and following fertilizing with natural pest and weed control through the season.
INCLUDES MICROBES AND MYCORRHIZA
Microbes and Mycorrhizae are tiny bacterial organisms and healthy funguses that work as a symbiotic relationship with the grasses and grass roots to improve nutrient availability, drought intolerance, and overall plant performance. Mycorrhiza in particular binds to plant roots to better take advantage of surrounding available nutrients, and the Dr. Earth company cultures these specifically for use within their fertilizers so your plants can get the most out of their products.
Since roots can only take up what nutrients they come in contact with, this is especially helpful to keep feed from going to waste over time.
CONSERVES WATER
Not only will nutrients not go to waste with the unique formula this lawn fertilizer is made with, but your water usage will be better utilized as well. The combination of potassium, and the above mentioned microbial and mycorrhiza organisms, improve soils to help create aggregates and hold moisture close to roots for plant usage.
This keeps water from seeping too quickly through the ground, and holds it available for your grass to use. Especially helpful in dry climates, your grass will benefit from this innovative fertilizer addition to strengthen it through drought conditions, and let you water less with more, longer lasting, results.
CONTROLS THATCH BUILDUP
Not only will nutrients not go to waste with the unique formula this lawn fertilizer is made with, but your water usage will be better utilized as well. The combination of potassium, and the above mentioned microbial and mycorrhiza organisms, improve soils to help create aggregates and hold moisture close to roots for plant usage.
This keeps water from seeping too quickly through the ground, and holds it available for your grass to use. Especially helpful in dry climates, your grass will benefit from this innovative fertilizer addition to strengthen it through drought conditions, and let you water less with more, longer lasting, results.
DR. EARTH LAWN FERTILIZER
Overall I’m rating the Dr. Earth Lawn Fertilizer as a 4.8 out of 5 stars. As a leader in the organic industry, the name has become a well trusted staple for organic gardeners, and their products are guaranteed. The patented recipes for fertilizers that include a healthy, sustainable approach is pretty much an industry standard from which other companies try to emulate.
The initial nutrient release followed by a slow three month release is also a great way to keep your maintenance to a minimum without worry of constant reapplication through the growing season. Plus the option for additional quick feeds via a compost tea is extremely helpful for newly planted areas, or problematic spots you have been working to correct.
The only real issue I see is that there is no added phosphorus. Although this is not necessarily needed in all areas, in hot, desert like climates, with long growing seasons (like I live in), this could be a benefit to my roots. They would be better able to utilize the nutrients taken in from the sun through photosynthesis, as well as allow for deeper root penetration.
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ALTERNATIVES
For an idea of other, similar items on the available market, please review the following:
SAFER BRAND RINGER LAWN FERTILIZER
Like Dr. Earth this organic fertilizer uses no chicken litter or biosolids, and has a similar nutrient makeup at 10-0-6. More of an immediate release, Safer Brand offers a product that provides a greening up of your lawn in only 3 to 5 days, as well as a pet and child safe surface upon application.
Around for 25 years, the company also has decades of research to back its products, and is constantly looking for new and innovative ideas to help make your experience better. Recently their more concentrated formula makes for less packaging waste as less product can cover more area.
SCOTTS NATURAL LAWN FOOD
Scotts is probably one of the longest running lawn care companies in the US, and although the majority of their lawn fertilizers are kid and pet safe, this is their only all natural option. Made with organic meals similar to the other options, this fertilizer does take a little bit of time to get to work, although when it does reviews state that the grass greens up nicely.
The formula is so non-toxic that there is no harm from accidental ingestion, in case your dog thinks it smells like a meal. It also helps deepen roots for increased grass growth, so it may keep you busy maintaining your lawn length through the growing season. As a slow release it also works well during any season to help feed roots and promote new growth come spring.
REVIVE ORGANIC SOIL TREATMENT
Around since the early 1970’s, Revive is an organic based granular release that provides a slow carbon as well as added iron to help increase soils health. This is especially useful for hard packed clay soils and those that struggle to maintain moisture.
This formula uses chicken litter in its makeup, which is dehydrated and treated to keep from spreading any harmful bacterias. Plus, the addition of iron helps increase water penetration and the reduction of brown spots. This is the perfect fertilizer to treat troubled soils, as well as your lawn.
CONCLUSION
Dr. Earth Lawn Fertilizer comes from a long standing, trusted company that has dedicated its existence to all organic, natural products. Carefully choose ingredients to help maintain a healthy nutrient balance, and the inclusion of any ingredients that carry any risk of bacterial contamination makes for a proper lawn feed for almost any grass type.
The addition of microbes and mycorrhiza also aides in nutrient uptake, soils moisture content, and thatch buildup- all common lawn problems. Plus, it is 100% safe for children and pets so there is no need to steer clear of your lawn after application.
We’d love to hear about your experiences with this fertilizer, or if you have and questions or comments you need answered- please leave them below. And, as always, please share!
*You might also like: GreenView Fall Lawn Food Review