12 Best High Nitrogen Fertilizers and How To Use Them

Gone are the days when a farmer or gardener could choose to grow plants without fertilizers. Now, if you want your plants to do well, you must apply fertilizer to your soil. Notably, there are several important fertilizer types available; one such type is nitrogen. Nitrogen is so crucial that it’s necessary for most planting forms, for example, you’ll need it for farms, gardens, and even lawns.

Suppose you just tested your soil, and you found it lacking nitrogen. Then you should be considering how you can boost this essential nutrient. However, the multiple fertilizer brands available on the market today can make it very challenging to make a good choice quickly. Well, don’t worry; this review will show you the vital facts about nitrogen fertilizers, and then the best choices available on the market.

What Is High Nitrogen Fertilizer?

We’ll get to defining high nitrogen fertilizer soon, however, it’ll be best to start from the basics – what’s nitrogen? Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth, reproduction, and general development. Notably, nitrogen is in abundant supply on the earth.

There’s nitrogen in the atmosphere and in the earth’s crust. Yet, nitrogen deficiency in plants is a worldwide problem. This is primarily because these nitrogen deposits aren’t directly available for plants. Therefore, farmers and gardeners must plan how to infuse nitrogen into their planting soils for the best results.

Nitrogen can help grasses and vegetables grow faster than normal. In addition, it gives that lush green color that beautifies gardens and lawns.

From the phrase itself, high nitrogen fertilizers refer to fertilizers with high amounts of nitrogen. Without high nitrogen, your fields will yellow, wilt, and be covered with weeds.

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Choosing the Best High Nitrogen Fertilizers

You should know all the basics of nitrogen addition for your garden or lawn at this stage. All you need to do is choose the right nitrogen fertilizer brand to use. Indeed, there are many fertilizer manufacturers out there to select from. This means that making an excellent choice may be challenging, so we’ve reviewed the best high nitrogen fertilizers below for you.

So, read on and make a great purchase decision.

1. Simple Lawn Solutions Maximum Green & Growth High Nitrogen – Top Pick

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Whatever grass type you plant on your lawn can benefit from this high nitrogen brand. This easy-to-use lawn food is the product of several high-quality fertilizer components.

Specification

Style: Liquid nitrogen lawn fertilizer

Weight: 2.88lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 28-0-0

Simple Lawn Solutions is perfect for lawns already suffering from a nitrogen deficiency. Once you apply, ensure you water your lawns properly for nutrient absorption.

Pros

• Contains quick and slow-release nitrogen
• Promotes green lawns and steady growth
• Fixes nitrogen deficiencies and enhances soil nutrient content

2. PetraTools Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer – Best for treating lawn nitrogen deficiencies

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Specification

Style: Liquid nitrogen lawn spray

Weight: 2.96lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 28-0-0

PetraTools stimulates grass growth and can quickly convert yellow grasses to lush green fields. It’s also family-owned in the USA, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.

Pros:

• Has its own application spray for easy use
• Safe for all lawn grass types
• Reliable customer support services
• Quick and slow-release technology

3. Simple Lawn Solutions Superior Nitrogen & Potash – Best combination of nitrogen and potassium

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Specification

Style: Liquid nitrogen lawn food

Weight: 3.27lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 15-0-15

One attractive feature of this nitrogen lawn food is boosting green grass growth while also maintaining turf health and strength.

Pros:

• Phosphate-free nutritional fertilizer
• Suitable for all lawn grass types
• Safe for children and household pets

4. Dr. Earth Nitro High Nitrogen Plant Food

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Specification

Style: Nitrogen plant food

Weight: 1.95lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 3-0-1

Dr. Earth’s high nitrogen is made from a combination of natural ingredients. These include fish bone meal, feather meal, and mined potassium. So, it’s excellent for pro-organic fertilizer gardeners.

Pros:

• Safe for people and their pets
• 100% organic and natural
• Encourages healthy, green plant growth and thick plant cell walls

5. Cesco Solutions Urea Fertilizer Plant Food – Top high nitrogen urea fertilizer

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Specification

Style: Granular high nitrogen urea fertilizer

Weight: 5lbs, 10lbs, and 15lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 46-0-0

Applying 2lbs of Cesco’s urea plant food per 1,000 square feet every 4-6 weeks can get you the best garden or lawn.

Pros:

• Suitable for all soil types
• Water-soluble
• Comes in a resealable, easy-pour pack

6. Milorgranite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer – Top slow-release nitrogen fertilizer

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Specification

Style: Granular nitrogen fertilizer

Weight: 32lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 6-4-0

This high nitrogen brand doesn’t need to be watered in. So it’s excellent for drought periods and areas with water restraints.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly high nitrogen fertilizer
• Also encourages root development in plants
• Easy-spread and easy-use features

7. Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant – Best for root crops

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Specification

Style: Liquid nitrogen lawn fertilizer

Weight: 2.35lbs

It’s crucial to use this product every time you water your plants during the growth stage.

Pros:

• Helpful for decomposition of organic matter in hydroponic gardening
• Improves root mass and vigor

8. Lawn Solutions Micronutrient Booster – Top nitrogen fertilizer for multiple plant needs

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Specification

Style: Liquid garden and lawn fertilizer

Weight: 2.7lbs

You can start using this Micro Booster even from your potting soil. With it, you even get iron that makes for a deeper green in plants.

Pros:

• Combines several essential nutrients and minerals into one fertilizer
• Requires only about four annual applications
• Enhances plant and turf vigor

9. RAW Elements Nitrogen – Best for horticulture

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Specification

Style: Liquid nitrogen fertilizer

Weight: 2 oz

N-P-K Ratio: 20-0-0

RAW nitrogen doesn’t contain urea or nitrates. This absence makes it suitable for use at all plant stages. Furthermore, it contains a complete guide on the application procedure.

Pros:

• Contains 20% Ammoniacal nitrogen
• Safe to use during flower stage or as a foliar spray

10. Realgrowers Bamboo Special High Nitrogen Fertilizer – Top bamboo nitrogen fertilizer

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Specification

Style: Bamboo 12-month control nitrogen fertilizer

Weight: 2.1lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 13-5-11

This fertilizer is environmentally friendly and absolutely safe. It also guarantees growth for bamboo plants.

Pros:

• Reliable 12 months nitrogen controlled-release system
• Release characteristics remain unaffected by watering or rains
• Easy-to-use with application instructions

11. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer – Top organic high nitrogen

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Specification

Style: Organic nitrogen fertilizer

Weight: 36lbs

This organic nitrogen brand allows for bulk nitrogen purchase. So, you wouldn’t run out of nitrogen for a while.

Pros:

• Suitable for use on golf courses
• Reduces mowing time lawn keepers
• Slow-release formula

12. Realgrowers Ultimate Palm High Nitrogen Fertilizer – Best for palm plants

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Specification

Style: Palm 12-month control nitrogen fertilizer

Weight: 2.1lbs

N-P-K Ratio: 13-5-11

Palmgrowers’ high nitrogen fertilizer contains quality ingredients for palms. Furthermore, these ingredients have a perfect balance and formulation.

Pros:

• Operates a controlled release system for 12 months
• Absolutely safe and “idiot-proof.”

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Understanding NPK Numbers

A seasoned gardener or farmer would have seen a row of three numbers on nitrogen fertilizers. These numbers are called NPK numbers, or the fertilizer’s NPK ratio. However, many gardeners don’t understand the implication of NPK numbers. Notably, NPK numbers usually appear above or below the product’s name.

These three numbers show the customer the percentages of the three essential plant nutrients in the fertilizer. These nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), respectively. The three numbers show these nutrients’ percentage by weight.

So, suppose a fertilizer brand has 13-0-5 as its NPK number. Then, it means that the fertilizer has 13% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. Finally, the NPK number becomes crucial when soil tests require specific pounds of nitrogen. The gardener can then calculate a brand’s available quantity with the NPK number.

How to Identify Lack of Soil Nitrogen

A significant part of lawn or garden care involves ensuring that your plants have the right amounts of nitrogen. A nitrogen deficiency can set back your lawn by several months. The good news is that you can quickly detect soils lacking nitrogen, as long as you know what to look for.

• Pale Green or Yellow Grasses

We all know that chlorophyll is responsible for our plants’ green leaves. However, not many people know that nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll in plants. So, the lower the nitrogen, the lower the chlorophyll production. This then leads to the absence of green pigmentation in grasses and other plants.

• Dead Grass Patches

Nitrogen deficiency can also affect the roots of grasses. When this happens, they get weak and can start withering. The resultant effect will thus be the dead patches of grass on the lawn’s affected portions.

• Stunted Growth

Nitrogen is vital for cell division and enlargement. Furthermore, plants depend on this nutrient for development and reproduction. As a result a lack of nitrogen will lead to slower or stunted growth in plants.

• Thinner Lawns

Sometimes, nitrogen deficiencies aren’t widespread. Instead, they are restricted to particular garden or lawn parts. You may see the grass around that area getting thinner in such cases. Less grass in a particular area is a sure sign of low nitrogen levels. Therefore, you can immediately infuse nitrogen into that area. Conversely, you can apply nitrogen to the entire garden or lawn to also treat the issue.

How to Test Soil Nitrogen Level

Many people wait until there are visible signs of nitrogen deficiency before fixing the problem. This is generally a bad move, as such deficiency may already be causing significant issues on your lawn or garden. Therefore, it’s always best to periodically test your soil’s nitrogen level. Unfortunately, there are no homemade means for testing soil nitrogen.

Instead, you may have to purchase a soil test kit from your hardware shop or plant nurseries. Then, you can follow the instructions on this testing kit to determine your soil’s nitrogen level. Using a soil test kit is also pretty easy. Conversely, you can hire the services of a professional agricultural extension expert.

Plant Analysis

Plant analysis helps you to identify what your plants and grasses are lacking. This is necessary because a plant’s physical appearance may not be a sufficient criterion for identifying nitrogen deficiency. For example, several other factors can cause dead or pale leaves. So, collecting and testing soil samples in laboratories is a great idea. You could even learn what sections of your lawn or garden are nitrogen deficient.

Can My Lawn or Garden Suffer from Too Much Nitrogen?

Yes, although nitrogen is good for your soil, excess quantities can harm your garden. However, this is a rare occurrence. Over-application of nitrogen is usually the root of this issue. Notably, fertilizers containing high amounts of quick-release nitrogen are more likely to result in this issue.

Fortunately, it’s easy to notice the signs of excess nitrogen, just like nitrogen deficiency. For example, too much nitrogen will burn your lawn grass’s plant tissues. Therefore, you’ll see noticeable patches of dead grass. These burns also appear soon after you finish fertilizing. So, you can notice signs of excess nitrogen within days of injecting nitrogen into the soil.

There are other symptoms of nitrogen excesses, including:

• Foliage overgrowth
• Reduced flower growth
• Stunted root growth

How to Reduce Soil Nitrogen Levels

Once you notice high nitrogen levels, you must neutralize the harmful nitrogen. If you don’t, it’ll continue burning your grasses and defacing your lawns. Below, we cover some steps for reducing your garden’s nitrogen levels.

• Water

Overwatering can become useful once you notice high nitrogen levels. Large amounts of water will leach the nitrogen deeper into the soil. This way, your shallow-rooted grasses won’t suffer from the heavy nitrogen content.

• Plant Nitrogen Feeding Crops

Some plants consume heavy amounts of nitrogen. Typical examples include tomatoes, squash, cabbage, corn, and broccoli. So, these plants will suck the excess nitrogen out of your soil. Notably, this option isn’t feasible for lawns. You really can’t plant corn on your front lawn, at least not easily. Therefore, you can only use this method for your gardens.

• Mulching

Mulching tends to reduce your soil’s nitrogen content. That’s why many gardeners shy away from mulching. However, you can exploit this method for reducing your soil’s nitrogen content. All you need to do is heavily apply grasses, sawdust, or fine wood chips to the soil.

• Do Nothing 

Finally, there’s the option of doing nothing. If you feel the deed’s already done with the excess nitrogen, then you can leave it. Once your plants or grasses use it up then you’ll be back to normal nitrogen levels.

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Types of High Nitrogen Fertilizers

High Nitrogen Fertilizers come in different shades. So, gardeners must understand the different types of nitrogen fertilizers. This information is crucial because these differences have implications for your lawns and gardens.

Below we explain the various types of high nitrogen fertilizers available.

Inorganic High Nitrogen Fertilizers

Simply put, inorganic high nitrogen fertilizers are chemical-based. Manufacturers make them from minerals, and they contain significant amounts of nitrate. The major components include:

• Ammonium nitrate
• Calcium nitrate
• Potassium nitrate
• Ammonium sulfate

The high nitrogen levels in inorganic fertilizers expose gardens to the risk of nitrogen burns. Because of this you should ensure that you’re using the right amount of nitrogen. If possible, though, sticking with organic options is best.

On the upside, inorganic nitrogen is often water-soluble. They also have a high absorption rate into the soil. This means that you can quickly solve nitrogen deficiencies with inorganic nitrogen fertilizers.

Organic High Nitrogen Fertilizers

Organic nitrogen fertilizers are the opposite of their inorganic counterparts. As the name implies, these fertilizers are made with natural materials and processes. Gardeners who want to do away with chemical products often opt for organic high nitrogen. These fertilizers are attractive because of their eco-friendly and easy-to-use nature.

Notably, there are two main types of organic high nitrogen. We discuss both of them below.

Natural Organic High Nitrogen

This fertilizer type comes totally from natural sources. Furthermore, they usually have lower nitrogen concentrations than inorganic fertilizers. However, natural organic nitrogen can be messy during the application process. This is one reason many people would rather use inorganic manure.

However, natural organic nitrogen breaks down faster than other fertilizer types. So, it’s still an excellent choice. In fact, it’s suitable for warm and humid periods and regions. Their natural nutrients also increase your soil’s nutrient level.

Sources of organic nitrogen include:

• Blood meal
• Feather meal
• Poultry manure
• Rabbit droppings
• Silkworm cocoons
• Other animal by-products
• Grass clippings

Synthetic Organic High Nitrogen

Synthetic organic nitrogen isn’t 100% natural. Instead, these nitrogen fertilizers are partly chemical-based. The little quantities of organic manure they contain qualify them as organic high nitrogen. Many gardeners use some form of this nitrogen type. Some of their examples include:

• Urea
• Urea-formaldehyde
• Urea-triazone
• Isobutylene diurea
• Sulfur-coated urea
• Polymer-coated urea

Clearly, urea is the most popular synthetic organic nitrogen. In addition, its most popular form is its granular composition. However, there are some liquid urea fertilizers. It’s best to look at synthetic organic nitrogen fertilizers as an upgrade of their organic opposites.

Manufacturers merely commit extra work into making organic nitrogen more effective for plants and lawns. Furthermore, they modify the fertilizer type for the best available results. Finally, synthetic nitrogen often has slow-release and fast-release fertilizer technology.

Slow-Release and Quick-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers

Release rates refer to the speed with which your fertilizer injects nutrients into the soil and plants. Depending on your plant’s condition, you could need slow-release or quick-release nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, it’s best to consider this factor before purchasing fertilizers.

Slow-release fertilizers employ a slow and steady process for releasing nutrients. This may last for several weeks. However, this slow method has advantages, including:

• Reducing the risk of nitrogen burns
• Saving money
• Serving the lawn or garden for longer periods
• Producing denser growth in grasses and plants

On the other hand, fast-release fertilizers are vital for emergencies. For instance, fast-release is necessary when the lawn or garden has already sustained significant nitrogen deficiency. This method thus quickly injects nitrogen to solve the problem.

Furthermore, fast-release nitrogen fertilizers have their merits too. They include:

• Achieving faster garden and lawn goals
• Quickly stimulating plant and grass growth
• Fixing nitrogen deficiencies in record time

Gardeners may need fast-release and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers at different periods. Therefore, buying them separately wouldn’t be cost-effective. That’s why many high nitrogen manufacturers are combining both release methods. We review a few of them here in this article.

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How to Apply High Nitrogen Fertilizers

Firstly, the best means of applying nitrogen is immediately after a soil test. This is because soil tests will reveal exactly how much nitrogen to apply. Usually, this is per 1,000 square feet. Conducting this soil test is also best before planting. This way, you wouldn’t add nutrients that the soil doesn’t need.

However, suppose you don’t perform a soil test. Then, it’ll be best to apply lower quantities of high nitrogen throughout the planting season. You can conduct a soil test at any point though, to guarantee accuracy.

Steps to follow when applying high nitrogen

You must be careful when applying high nitrogen fertilizers like other fertilizer types. Carelessness could harm you, the soil, your plants, and the environment. Therefore, it’ll be best to carefully follow the steps below.

• Pick a high nitrogen fertilizer brand

Select a high nitrogen fertilizer with the right amount of nitrogen. Preferably, pick nitrogen fertilizers with little or no other components. The high nitrogen fertilizers on this list will suffice for this stage. All you need to do is check the nitrogen percentage on your choice fertilizer. This is the first number on the brand’s NPK ratio.

• Calculate the amount of fertilizer you need

Different land sizes often require different amounts of nitrogen fertilizers. So, you’ll have to calculate the amount you need for your garden or lawn. The typical calculation is per 1,000 square feet. Therefore, you’ll need to check how many fertilizer pounds will be sufficient for your landmass. Fortunately, many high nitrogen brands have user guides on this issue.

• Apply the high nitrogen fertilizer

Now that you’re done with the calculations, the next step is the actual application of the fertilizer. You can use garden tools to work the fertilizer directly into the soil. For instance, you could use a hoe or any other tiller. This process will be easier before planting. This way, there won’t be any plant obstructions during the fertilizer application.

You can also spread the nitrogen fertilizer directly onto the soil. However, if you use the spreading method, you’ll have to water the garden or lawn immediately. The water thus sends the nitrogen into the soil where it’s needed. Watering is also crucial to get nitrogen off plant leaves. Extended exposure of plant leaves to nitrogen can harm these leaves. If the weather reports forecast rain though, then you can wait for the rain to do it for you.

• Re-application of the high nitrogen fertilizer

Fertilizer application isn’t a one-time activity. That is if you want to get the best from your plants. Instead, you have to apply high nitrogen fertilizer consistently to the soil. This means that you must repeat the fertilizer application process every four to six weeks for the best results. Fortunately, some fertilizer brands specify how often you should apply their products.

Other things to note about applying high nitrogen fertilizers

There are other notable facts about nitrogen fertilizer application. Some of them include:

• Avoiding soil areas with high leaching propensity
• Apply high nitrogen to the soil when the soil is cooler than 50 degrees F
• Apply nitrogen in springs before plants start growing for light and sandy soil
• For heavy clay soil, apply high nitrogen in late fall

How to apply liquid high nitrogen fertilizer

Liquid nitrogen fertilizers are popular because they’re cheaper than the alternative. Furthermore, they’re often easy to handle and apply. This is still the case despite their corrosive nature. Clearly, liquid nitrogen fertilizer will have separate application methods than granular nitrogen.

Firstly, you’re applying liquid nitrogen directly to the plant leaves and not the soil. Furthermore, you can apply it to wet or dry plants. Using liquid nitrogen during heavy winds will be challenging, though. This is because the winds can derail the spray.

Notably, too, liquid fertilizer is best applied in the morning or evening. Suppose you’re applying any other agrochemicals. Then, it’ll be best to do so at least two days after your liquid nitrogen application. Finally, try to avoid nitrogen application under the hot sun as much as possible. Applying nitrogen onto damp or frosty leaves is also a terrible idea.

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Conclusion

It’s safe to say that no lawn or garden can do well without nitrogen. So, all gardeners must have this information on nitrogen at their fingertips. What’s more? They must know the best sources of high nitrogen for their plants. This is what we aimed to achieve with this article.

So, apply the knowledge above to get the best out of your garden and lawns.

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