Many gardeners like to use the blue grains when fertilizing their lawn. We show why you should stay away from blue grain when fertilizing your lawn.
Blue grain was originally developed by Compo Expert, but has since been copied in many ways. Here we explain whether the properties of blue grain also make it a suitable fertilizer for your lawn.
In the following we explain the effect and application of blue grain, then we name the most important disadvantages. We always start from the original product and not from possible copies of other brands. Finally, we also point out good alternatives to blueseed that will take care of your lawn naturally.
Fertilizing the lawn with blue grain: effect and application
Blaukorn is a well-known mineral universal fertilizer with the composition 12 - 8 - 16 - 3 - 10, this specification stands for 12% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus oxide, 16% potassium oxide, 3% magnesium oxide and 10% sulfur. It also contains the trace nutrients boron, iron and zinc. In the case of special special series - for example "Blaukorn Premium" - the composition can also be different. Copies from other manufacturers also have a different composition and only benefit from the prominence of the blue balls. More information on mineral fertilizers in general can be found in this special article.
What effect does blue grain have on the lawn?
Blue grain fertilizer is designed in such a way that it breaks down particularly quickly when it comes into contact with water. Its ingredients are very easily soluble and should therefore be available to plants within a very short time. According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for soils with a proven low to medium phosphorus and potash content. Some of the nitrification inhibitor DMPP is also included, but we can only say this with certainty about the original blue grain fertilizers from Compo Expert. The application should always be carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions, which can be found on theassociated website. The application period is also strictly limited to the main growing season (mid-March to September).
Tip: The use of nitrification inhibitors inhibits the activity of Nitrosomona bacteria. These ensure the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate in the soil. Although nitrate is well suited for absorption by plants, it is extremely easily washed out and should therefore never be present in the soil in large quantities. With strong nitrification, there is also an increased outgassing of nitrogen oxides (NOX), which are harmful to he alth and the climate. So nitrification inhibitors help to use nitrogen more efficiently and avoid environmental damage.
Disadvantages of Blue Grain
Blaukorn fertilizer is a purely mineral universal fertilizer with a fast effect. What initially sounds quite positive turns out to be a problem on closer inspection:
- Mineral fertilizers bypass the soil's natural decomposition process, provide no food for beneficial soil organisms and thus impoverish the soil fauna. Not only the well-known earthworms, but also other little helpers that are involved in making nutrients available, supplying water to the plants and sometimes even in defending against diseases are reduced in number in this way.
- A few species of bacteria are motivated to break down organic matter in the soil by large amounts of readily available nitrogen. However, if new material is not brought in at the same time, they begin to break down humus. You can read here about the special properties of hummus and why you should encourage it rather than reduce it.
- The rapid availability can lead to over-fertilization if used incorrectly. Everything you need to know about over-fertilizing your lawn can be found here.
Tip: Have you caused fertilizer damage with mineral fertilizers or has a dog peed a hole in the lawn with its nitrogenous urine? Here you can find out everything you need to know about repairing lawns with the right lawn patch. The Plantura lawn repair, for example, is ideally suited for this.
- If used incorrectly, the rapid availability can also lead to nitrate leaching into the groundwater and nitrogen oxides escaping into the atmosphere as soon as the effect of thenitrification inhibitor wears off after four to ten weeks.
- Universal fertilizers - such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer - should cover a wide range of different plants. However, the high levels of phosphorus and potassium will not be necessary for most plants. Although lawn grasses benefit from potassium, which is involved in water balance and cell wall construction, the amount contained in blue corn far exceeds the requirement. Phosphorus is also present in sufficient quantities in many garden soils and, if there is a large excess, it can be washed into sensitive ecosystems by erosion. The trace elements contained should only be fertilized if there is actually a deficiency, since plants only need them in very small amounts. Also from an economic point of view, the use of blue grain for lawn fertilization does not make sense.
- Immediate availability of nitrogen can cause turf growth to be jerky. The resulting stalks are often not adequately protected against frost, heat and fungal infections due to the excess nitrogen.
Tip: Grasses that are too well supplied with nitrogen can be surprised even more easily by frost in winter. Then the sensitive perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in particular is attacked by frost - one then speaks of a "winterization" of the lawn. In this case, you should reintegrate this important, regenerative undergrowth into the lawn with the help of lawn reseeding. Otherwise the area appears light and is not very competitive with weeds. With Plantura lawn reseeding, for example, your lawn will soon be lush green again.
- Mineral fertilizer is industrially produced or mined from fossil deposits. The phosphorus deposits in particular are limited and their degradation actually represents an unnecessary burden on the environment: Many organic materials contain by far enough phosphorus for plant fertilization.
Alternatives to blue grain as lawn fertilizer
Supplying your lawn - or plants in general - only with mineral nutrients that plants absorb and use is very short-sighted. Fertilization should also be about caring for the soil under the plants and maintaining its quality. Because the soil is more than just some dirt in which the roots cling: It is rather a sensitive, complex and very efficient system This system has to nourish plants, store water, bind carbon dioxide and many further tasksafford.
For this reason, we primarily recommend organic lawn fertilizers with an organic certificate for lawn fertilization. These act not only as plant fertilizers, but also as soil fertilizers. Microorganisms are promoted and the humus content is stabilized or even increased. Over-fertilization and leaching are virtually impossible and the natural long-term effect ensures even and he althy growth. As a result, lawn grasses are better prepared for adversities such as fungal infections, heat and drought stress or frost. We have therefore developed our Plantura organic lawn fertilizer and our Plantura organic autumn lawn fertilizer so that you can and protect your soil and your plants alike. The Plantura organic soil activator also takes care of your soil.
You can find more information about lawn fertilizers and an overview of the different types of lawn fertilizers here in our article.