Fertilizing your lawn will help it grow strong and healthy . However , if you do n’t use all of it in one go , you may be wondering if it will still be fine to use in the future . Well , we ’ve researched the matter in - profundity and have an solvent for you .
When store right , lawn fertiliser will not go unsound . Also , there is usually no exit date listed on constitutional lawn fertilizer , suggesting that it will not expire . The component of constitutive fertilizer do not divulge down , so the potency of the fertilizer should remain the same regardless of the amount of time that has passed unless it includes other active ingredients . If the fertiliser gets wet , it will still work . However , it may bundle up and be harder to disperse on your lawn .
Now you know you will be able-bodied to apply any leftover fertilizer in the time to come , but keep reading as we elaborate on this further . We ’ll go over which storage method might affect its life anticipation and at which point you should throw it off . Additionally , we ’ll suffice some other questions you might have about lawn fertiliser .
How long is lawn fertilizer good?
Fertilizer come in two main smorgasbord : synthetic or organic . This means that one is represent of natural ingredients , while the other is derived from chemicals . possibly astonishingly , neither semisynthetic nor constitutional fertilizers go bad , especially if put in correctly .
The fertilizer ’s publicity should list ideal store condition but will typically instruct you to stash away the fertilizer in a cool , teetotal home in its original container . Keep it away from lineal heat exposure and away from other chemicals that could leave in a reaction if a news leak or release was to occur .
However , there are some exceptions as to whether your plant food will go spoiled . It will often depend on whether you purchase wet or ironic fertiliser and whether it contains additive such as herbicides or pesticides . The comply two sections will go over why this might dissemble your plant food ’s life .
Does dry fertilizer go bad?
If your ironic fertiliser does not include weed killer or pesticide , it will last indefinitely . So , no , regular dry fertilizer will not go bad . ironical fertiliser typically contains NPK , which stomach for Nitrogen , Phosphorous , and Potassium . If any herbicides or pesticide are add together , they will be lean on the publicity under active ingredients .
For example , Scott ’s Turf Builder Winterguard Lawn Food does not number any fighting constituent . However , Scott ’s Turfbuilder Winterguard Fall Weed & Feed name dynamic ingredients project to kill and keep Mary Jane .
If your fertilizer does contain combat-ready ingredients , it might mislay its potency over time , so it may no longer attain what it says it will on the promotional material . Also , if the dry fertilizer becomes exposed to too much wet , Scottssays it may be more difficult to spread , which may picture it useless .
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Does wet fertilizer go bad?
Wet fertiliser , or liquid plant food , will typically have a shelf life of eight to ten years . You should check the packaging for any potential expiration dates . Even if the fertiliser is within its expiration date , you may need to agitate it up to remix any ingredients that might have settle down .
Just like dry plant food , liquid fertilizer can also contain dynamic ingredient . If your fluent fertiliser does hold alive ingredients , its potency may lessen over time .
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Is it okay to use old fertilizer?
Effectiveness
Since dry fertiliser does n’t expire , it is ok to employ one-time bags of fertilizer you might have put down around . The constitutive elements that make up plant food , K , phosphorous , and nitrogen , do not break down over clip . So whether the bag has been sitting there for one class or ten years , the effectiveness should be the same .
That being say , as we mention in the first place , an old bag of plant food that contain additional active factor such as pesticide and herbicides may not be as potent as when you first buy it . That does n’t imply it will be useless for your lawn , though . Your yard could still do good from the non - active NPK ingredients . you may do by liquid fertilizer the same . However , if it is has been sitting around for long than eight years , it ’s time to slash it out .
So , fortuitously , it ’s unlikely that old fertiliser with active fixings will do any damage to your lawn . It just might not bolt down the weeds like it ’s supposed to . If you ask a fertilizer that will kill weeds or insects , you will call for to throw out of the old bag and purchase young ones .
Condition Of The Fertilizer
A factor that might affect whether it is fine for you to practice the fertilizer is the circumstance the fertilizer is in . If you have not been stack away the fertilizer aright , it might not be a question of whether it is ok to use but whether you could use it .
See , a fertiliser that has not been stored correctly might have changed physical property . For example , dry fertilizer is often in the shape of granules . If those granules are exposed to moisture or humidity , they may clump together , making it difficult to propagate .
What do you do with old fertilizers?
If you settle to purchase young fertilizer rather of using your quondam fertiliser , you may be wondering the practiced direction to dispose of the one-time . Typically , constitutive fertilizer does n’t have any special requirements for garbage disposal as it does n’t pose much risk .
However , chemical fertiliser might . Your fertilizer may contain chemicals or fixings that are flammable , corrosive , or that might cause taint to the environs . First , check the fertilizer ’s publicity . Often , administration instructions are listed .
you may also call your local solid wastefulness or risky wastefulness disposal fellowship . They will be capable to manoeuvre you to the best method of electric pig . Some company will recommend this on the publicity of the fertiliser . verify to keep the fertilizer in its original container . If you could , avoid sustain to toss out of plant food by either using the merchandise or finding someone who can .
What Not To Do
Old fertilizers should be kept far away from children or pets . You should not pour chemical plant food down the drain as this can contribute to environmental taint , include contamination of water supplies . Do not dispose of chemical fertiliser in your steady trash can , which can also lead to pollution .
How do you store an open bag of fertilizer?
If you’re able to not use all of your fertiliser , you should store it in as air travel - tight of a container as possible . Manypeoplerecommend using 5 - congius bucket with lids . Place the open bag of fertilizer in the 5 - gallon pail and seal it with the rubber eyelid . you’re able to find 5 - congius buckets at most home DIY stores .
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How often should you fertilize your lawn?
There are vary answers out there about how often you should fertilize your lawn . The recommended figure of times varies from once to twice a twelvemonth to four to five times a year .
Once or Twice
If you desire to boost your grass ’s wellness , fertilizer once or doubly a year should be sufficient for you . If you only choose to fertilize your lawn once , the best clip to fecundate your lawn is during the outflow . However , fertilizers are designed for each season except winter , so another option is to fertilize your lawn multiple times a class .
More Often
Scotts , a popular company for all things yard - related , suggestsfertilizing in early spring , late spring , summertime , or fall , or at all four times . Your yard may postulate fertilizing more or less , bet on the clime you know in . you’re able to often tell by looking at your grass whether it could use fertilizer feeding . If it look luscious , green , and healthy , you might not need to fecundate it .
Final Thoughts
Hopefully , our article has help explain whether your fertilizer will go bad or buy the farm . Remember , whether it conk bet on whether the fertiliser is wet , ironic , organic , or chemical substance and whether you store it correctly . Maybe now you find more confident about what you should do with your sure-enough fertilizer and how you’re able to store any that you did n’t use .
For more recital , check out some of our other position :
How Long Does Fertilizer Last In Soil ?
Can You unthaw Fertilizer In Water ? Should You ?
