Guide
How much fertilizer does my lawn need?
The bag tells you the rate. Your lawn's size does the rest. Here is the calculation, and why you should count bags on the whole lawn.
The calculation
- Read the rate on the bag, usually in pounds per 1,000 sq ft. Some bags give the area one bag covers instead: divide the bag weight by that area.
- Pounds for the lawn = rate × square footage ÷ 1,000.
- Bags = pounds ÷ bag weight, rounded up.
Example
A front yard of 5,500 sq ft and a back yard of 2,000 sq ft, at 3 lb per 1,000 sq ft: 16.5 lb and 6 lb, 22.5 lb in all. With 15 lb bags, that is 2 bags.
Count on the whole lawn
Counted zone by zone, the same job looks like 2 bags for the front and 1 for the back: 3 bags. But a bag opened in front is finished in back. Count the bags on the total.
Set the spreader
The bag also gives the spreader setting for common spreader models. Use it: the rate only holds if the spreader drops it.
With Lawn Calc
Enter the rate, the bag size and the spreader setting once per step; the app counts the pounds for each zone and the bags for the whole lawn, and reminds you on the day. It never tells you which product to buy. See Fertilizer calculator.
