When it comes to keeping your lawn lush and green, choosing the right fertilizer at the right time is essential. There are many different styles and brands of fertilizer on the market today. While most fertilizer contains three essential macro nutrients, there are also “fillers” that are put in there too. Understanding how the essential macro nutrients and the “fillers” work together will give you the most value for your money. Let’s break it down.
What Do the Numbers on Fertilizer Mean?
Every bag of fertilizer has three numbers that read something like 10-10-10, 20-5-10 or 22-0-5. These numbers are important and play a big role in the effectiveness of the product. They represent the percent of the three essential macro nutrients your lawn needs to be healthy—nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained in this fertilizer.
Nitrogen(N): This promotes lush, green growth.
Phosphorus(P): Helps develop strong roots and is important for overall plant health.
Potassium(K): Aids in resistance to stress from drought, disease, and cold.
For example, a 10-5-10 fertilizer would have 10% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium.
The Role of Fillers
The remaining percentage of a fertilizer bag is made up of "fillers." These fillers are unavoidable and are necessary to evenly distribute the macronutrients across your lawn. However, not all fillers are created equal. In lower-quality fertilizers, fillers may consist of inert sand, clay, limestone or even synthetic materials. While these fillers are cheaper in cost, they add no value to the lawn. These types of fillers don’t provide any additional benefit to your soil, lawn or any other plants—they simply take up the space in the bag.
The Organic Filler Advantage
Using organic nutrients such as fish emulsion, kelp or a bio solid as fillers means that everything in the fertilizer bag is working toward improving your lawn's health. Instead of inert materials like limestone or sand, fertilizers that contains organic matter and other natural ingredients improve the soil while also feeding your lawn. This is a game changer for having a lush green lawn that contains less weeds without having to use an herbicide to kill them. The organic matter helps boost the growth of beneficial microbes which create living soil. This is the sought after black earth that agriculture craves for healthy crop growth and production. The healthier and richer the soil, the better growth of lawns, trees and plants! Using organic fillers in your fertilizer creates three big advantages:
1. Better Soil Health: Organic fillers enrich the soil with nutrients, helping improve soil structure and promoting long-term lawn health.
2. Microbial Activity: Organic matter encourages the growth of beneficial microbes in the soil, which helps break down nutrients and make them more available to the lawn.
3. Sustainability: Organic fillers are sustainable and reduce the need for chemical additives, which can be harmful to the environment.
The bottom line? Fillers are a necessary component of fertilizers. However, using a fertilizer that contains organic fillers instead of inert materials gives your yard the ability to have healthy soil which in turns gives you healthier grass and less weeds naturally.
What’s the deal with Phosphorus? Why Does it Have Special Usage Considerations?
Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients needed for strong root growth in lawns. It is especially critical as a starter for germinating new seed. However, it’s important to know that using phosphorus in lawn fertilization is illegal in about 11 states (including Wisconsin where Be Green Pro is located), unless you’re seeding a new lawn. This law is in place due to the damaging effects that phosphorus runoff can have on our lakes and waterways. Excess phosphorus from fertilizers washes into rivers and lakes, where it can cause algae blooms. Algae blooms damage aquatic ecosystems, kill aquatic life, cause health risks for wildlife, pets and humans, and overall - reduce water quality.
At Be Green Pro, we understand the importance of protecting our natural water resources, which is why we use - water-insoluble phosphorus - in our seed starter products and in our fertilizers. Water-insoluble phosphorus is designed to stay in the soil where it belongs, feeding new grass roots without leaching into nearby water systems. It does not dissolve or leach into water, therefore causing no damaging reaction. It feeds the lawn through a symbiotic reaction from the plant which absorbs the nutrient in exchange. This way, we help protect Wisconsin's lakes and rivers while still giving your lawn the essential nutrients it needs to establish strong roots.
How to Choose the Right Fertilizer for Your Lawn
When selecting a fertilizer, check both the numbers on the bag and the type of fillers used. If the filler materials aren’t listed, steer away. There should always be a clear description of what you are buying. If the majority of the bag (or the hired service you pay for) isn’t beneficial to your lawn, you could be wasting money and missing out on the opportunity to improve your soil’s health so you can grow your best lawn, trees and plants and cut down on weeds naturally.
By choosing organic fillers and phosphorus that doesn’t harm the environment, you’re making an environmentally responsible choice that leads to greener, healthier grass.
Invest in Quality
Quality fertilizers like those we use at Be Green Pro may come at a slightly higher cost because every ingredient in the bag contributes to your lawn’s health. Instead of purchasing product that uses cheap fillers, purchase products contain nutrient-rich organic matter that improves soil structure and supports long-term lawn vitality, giving you real value and sustainable results. Investing in quality now can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for constant lawn treatments and repairs caused by poor soil health or disease-prone grass. Plus, a healthy, well-maintained lawn doesn’t just look good—it adds curb appeal and can significantly increase your property value. In the long term, the benefits of quality landscaping and lawn care will contribute to a greener, healthier space for your family, while also enhancing the financial value of your home and wallet.
Reduced Need for Chemicals and a Safer Lawn
Moreover, a healthy, well-nourished lawn is naturally more resistant to weeds and pests, which means you'll need fewer chemical weed treatments and pesticides. By promoting deeper root growth and balanced nutrients, organic fertilizers help your lawn outcompete weeds and fend off common pests. This not only saves you money on expensive chemical treatments but also creates a safer environment for your family and pets. A lawn that thrives with fewer chemicals is not just better for your property—it’s a healthier space for everyone to enjoy—your neighbor, your community and the environment included.
If you want a beautiful lawn that’s not only green but also resilient and safe for your family and pets, choose fertilizers that go beyond just the numbers.
Feel free to contact Be Green Pro with any questions or to schedule your next lawncare service!
Whether it’s your lawn, trees, shrubs, or pest issues – we’re ready to help you with Eco-friendly solutions. No matter what season.