About the Pennington Lawn Starter

Purpose

• Lawn starter is a fertilizer that Pennington has designed to stimulate grass seed development and help lawns to establish themselves faster. Faster lawn development helps new lawns mimic the strength and self-sustaining qualities of mature lawns. Use lawn starter if you are starting your lawn from seed or laying down sod. Lawn starter is also appropriate to reseed bare spots.

Ingredients

• The dominant ingredients by volume are nitrogen, phosphate and soluble potash in an 18-24-6 ratio. The seed starter contains lesser amounts of boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The ingredients are consistent with the nutrients a properly fertilized lawn needs. The nitrogen helps keep grass green. Pennington coats some of the nitrogen with sulfur to provide 3.8 percent coated slow-release nitrogen presumably to prevent the nitrogen from pushing the plants to overproduce blades. Phosphorus encourages healthy root growth. Potassium increases the grass’ ability to withstand problems related to rapid changes in temperature and water levels.

Timing

• Pennington advises that you may use the seed starter at any time of the year; however, the most effective time to use seed fertilizer coincides with the time your grass is likely to grow. In most instances, the best time to plant a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn is in the spring or fall. Grass seedlings have the best chance to grow when the temperatures are above 50 degrees and below 90 degrees. If you need to be present to water the lawn frequently, factor your schedule into when you will add the fertilizer.

Method

• Distribute the lawn starter with a mechanical spreader. The mechanical spreader gives you more control. If you add too much fertilizer, you risk burning the lawn, while adding too little fertilizer is ineffective. Always water the grass thoroughly after applying the fertilizer. Use a circular pattern with broadcast spreaders. Start on the outside, work toward the center and overlap slightly. When using a drop spreader, apply two strips along each end. Then proceed along the length of the lawn, overlapping slightly.