Fertiliser Formulation

The manner in which a fertiliser is supplied for use; how it is formulated, also sometimes being called fertiliser products. This can be in the form of a solid material which includes powder, crystals, granular, mini-granular, crumbs, prills; and also, as a liquid material.

• Granular: The most common fertiliser sold by suppliers, and being classified according to granule size, for example, fine (micro-granular / mini-granular, for example, 1.5-2mm diameter), medium (2-4mm) coarse (4mm+).
• Crumb: A granular shape, often created by crumbled organic pellets, but without or with reduced dust, or by grinding of organic material into finer particles, such from bonemeal. it may also be used as just another name for a mini-granular fertiliser.
• Crystals: Some fertilisers manufactured from inorganic materials, with water being driven off in the manufacturing process, such as sulphate of iron or ammonium sulphate. The latter might be in smaller crystal of <1mm diameter, or larger ‘granular’ crystals of 2-3mm in diameter.
• Liquid: This is often a nutrient concentrate which needs to be diluted and may be dissolved or water dispersed, for example, ICL Greenmaster Spring & Summer Liquid Fertilizer. Liquid fertilisers will usually provide for rapid leaf uptake, as well as requiring more regular feeds for a plant.
• Powder: This is very dusty and not commonly applied, although can be mixed with a carrier to other fertilisers to aid spreading, especially for fine turfgrass surfaces, with dried blood being an example.
• Prill: A manufactured uniform sphere, primarily for agriculture but mini-prills might be suited for longer turfgrass situations. Ammonium nitrate is a common fertiliser, but this wouldn’t be applied to turf as it is too high in nitrogen, although dissolving in water and applying as a liquid spray would be more appropriate.