How much fertilizer do I need to buy for my lawn?

Lawn needs are usually based on nitrogen needs and vary from 1 to 6 pounds needed per 1,000 square feet per year. Specific amounts depend on the type of grass. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn usually reduces this number by 1 pound. Check with your local Westlake to learn about lawns in your area.

Let’s say for example you want to add 1 pound of nitrogen to your lawn in the Fall. It just takes a little math to calculate. Just follow these steps.

1. Divide 1 by the first number in decimal form (percent of nitrogen) on the fertilizer bag.
2. Multiply that by the square footage of your lawn.
3. Then divide by 1000.

The answer will give you the total pounds of fertilizer you need to apply to the lawn.

Here’s an example:
Let’s say you have 24-0-12 fertilizer and a 8000 square foot lawn. One divided by 0.24 equals 4.2. Multiply 4.2 by 8000 for 33,600. Then divide by 1000 for the answer of 33.6 or 34 pounds. So you would need to put 34 pounds of 24-0-12 spread over the entire lawn to properly fertilize it.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.