6-6-6 Fertilizer is a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer that’s applied at varying rates throughout the year. Triple 6 npk fertilizers are often used to boost soil fertility or maintain nutritional levels on lawns, golf courses, and other turf grounds. If you’re wondering what the benefits of using this type of fertilizer are, when it should be applied as well as how to use it – read on!
What is 6-6-6 fertilizer and what does it Mean?
The term Triple 6 npk is a reference to the three main ingredients in this type of fertilizer. The ratio, which can differ from one company to another, comes out to six units (or percentages) nitrogen; followed by phosphorus and potassium at six percent each.
While there are many different types of fertilizers on the market today that use these same types of ingredients – including those with varying ratios or other additives like sulfur or iron – only products labeled as 6-6-6 will typically have all three elements present in equal quantities and at the proper levels for lawns and turf areas.
What is 6-6-6 Fertilizer Good for?
The key to understanding the benefits of a product like this is knowing what its intended use will be. Typically, if a lawn or turf area needs extra nutrients for maintaining healthy growth and vigor during dry weather periods – which can occur in places with warm climates year-round, but also at different times throughout other areas where drought conditions are common – then applying an appropriate amount of this type of fertilizer according to package directions should provide those plants with everything they need (ideally) while avoiding overdoing things and getting too much nitrogen.
This could lead to unwanted problems such as browning out from excessive green leaf tissue production that might not have enough time left on its own after watering; increased susceptibility to summer pests because the plant won’t have time to produce the chemicals needed for its own defense, and even lower-quality fruit.
When to use it?
When the drought conditions are common, apply an appropriate amount of this type of fertilizer according to package directions should provide those plants with everything they need (ideally) while avoiding overdoing things and getting too much nitrogen.
This could lead to unwanted problems such as browning out from excessive green leaf tissue production that might not have enough time left on its own after watering; increased susceptibility to summer pests because the plant won’t have time to produce the chemicals needed for its own defense, and even lower-quality fruit.
6-6-6 fertilizer benefits
The most important advantage of using this type is that it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also has a balanced formula for the other macro-nutrients which are needed to support healthy plants.
Since all three ingredients in this fertilizer provide essential nutrients to those plants, they can’t go wrong with its use. The amount of each nutrient will vary depending on the package directions but there’s no harm in applying more because overuse won’t be an issue as long as one doesn’t exceed the recommended rates outlined by the manufacturer.
Benefits:
- Contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
- The balanced formula which supports healthy plants
Applying 6-6-6 Fertilizer
The fertilizer needs to be applied in the early stages of development and should not come into contact with any plants once it has been mixed. The application rates will vary depending on how much fertilizing one is doing, but for a typical garden that might need two applications per year (once every spring), this would mean applying at least four pounds per square yard.
Application Rate: Varies according to manufacturer’s instructions. One may apply more than the prescribed rate without issue as long as they do not exceed recommended rates outlined by the manufacturer. When/to use? Apply in the early stage of the plant growth cycle or vegetable planting.
The directions on the package are there primarily as guidelines because not every soil composition is going to react identically to fertilization; therefore some adjustments might need to be made when applying these substances onto lawns and gardens.
