Are you trying to find starter fertilizer among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling starter fertilizer on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 13 hours of research and did 27 starter fertilizer tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best starter fertilizer you can buy today
- Grows new grass 70% thicker, 35% quicker versus unfed grass
- Improves seeding results--also great for sod and grass plugs
- 24-25-4 fertilizer ratio provides the nutrients for developing lawns
- Safe for any grass type, whether you're planting new grass, starting a new lawn, or reseeding an existing one
- Covers 5,000 sq. ft
- Starter fertilizer for new lawns with seed or sod, or overseeding existing lawns
- Builds strong, deep roots for thick, full grass & faster lawn establishment
- Helps all types of grass seed, sod, and plugs establish roots fast
- Quick greening
- Extended feeding for up to 3 months
- GREAT FOR SEEDING & SODDING - Veri-Green Lawn Food for Seeding & Sodding is formulated to get new grass seedlings off to a great start. It helps your lawn grow strong roots and grow faster and thicker when seeding, overseeding, and laying sod.
- DEVELOPS DEEP & DENSE ROOTS - Our starter fertilizer has an analysis of 12-18-8. This formula is rich in phosphorus which is a key component in root formation for the development of new seedlings.
- PROVIDES NUTRIENTS FOR GROWTH - It also contains humates that enhance the efficiency, availability, and exchange of plant nutrients to and from the soil. It feeds for up to 2 months.
- EASY TO APPLY - Veri-Green Lawn Food for Seeding & Sodding should be applied using a rotary, drop, or hand-held spreader. Our fertilizer should be applied the same day as seeding or sodding.
- COMPLETE COVERAGE - This 5 lb bag covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. The best time to apply is when seeding in the spring or fall.
- Down To Earth Starter Mix 3-3-3 in a one pound box. This all natural fertilizer is the perfect way to get your delicate young starts and new seedlings in the ground and ready to thrive
- Listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production
- A mild fertilizer with 3% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that also provides the essential secondary plant nutrients calcium, magnesium, sulfur and iron
- Diverse mix of beneficial nutrients to ensure successful planting, expansive root development and vigorous early season growth
- Ingredients: Alfalfa Meal, Fish Bone Meal, Langbeinite, Oyster Shell, Basalt, Feather Meal, and Humic Acids from Leonardite
- Premium Lawn Fertilizer: Our lawn fertilizer provides a balanced nutrient mix tailored for lush, healthy lawns. Enriched with nitrogen fertilizer, it supports robust growth and vibrant green grass. Ideal for all-purpose lawn care, ensuring your lawn stays healthy year-round.
- Advanced Slow Release Formula: This slow release fertilizer offers prolonged nutrient delivery, reducing the need for frequent applications. As a top-tier npk fertilizer, it ensures nutrients are available when your lawn needs them most, promoting sustainable growth and enhanced lawn vitality.
- Efficient Seed Starter Mix: Designed for optimal seed germination, our seed starter mix is perfect for new lawns. It complements grass fertilizer for lawn use, establishing a firm foundation for greener grass. Ideal for both amateur and professional lawn care enthusiasts seeking superior results.
- Versatile Water Soluble Fertilizer: This water soluble fertilizer is suitable for diverse lawn needs, offering flexibility in application. As an all purpose fertilizer, it dissolves easily, ensuring even distribution and immediate nutrient absorption, resulting in healthier, more resilient outdoor plant food.
- Comprehensive Lawn Care Solution: Our lawn fertilizer includes essential plant food outdoor, providing a complete lawn care package. It acts as an effective grass fertilizer, enhancing root development and promoting vigorous growth, ensuring your lawn remains the envy of the neighborhood.
- FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLANT: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting all plants.
- CONTAINS: Bio-tone Starter Plus is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with both endo & ecto mycorrhizae and our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-3 Fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Bio-tone Starter Plus is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients.
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting. Mix thoroughly with soil used to backfill the planting hole so the Bio-tone Starter Plus is in the plant root zone. It is ready to use.
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING: Bio-tone Starter Plus is approved for organic gardening; It is a registered Organic Input Material meaning it meets all requirements for organic production.
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929.
- Provides key nutrients to keep grass healthy and promotes rich green grass.
- Designed to help grass seed and sod develop roots and mature stems before rapid growth begins.
- This 4 lb. bag of turf fertilizer covers up to 1,000 square feet of lawn.
- 9-13-7 Fertilizer contains 9% Nitrogen, 13% Phosphate and 7% Soluble Potash.
- Apply with a drop or broadcast spreader. For best results, apply this product evenly and uniformly over lawn avoiding streaking, skips or overlaps. Apply 4 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.
- FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLANT: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting all plants.
- CONTAINS: Bio-tone Starter Plus is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with both endo & ecto mycorrhizae and our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-3 Fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Bio-tone Starter Plus is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients.
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting. Mix thoroughly with soil used to backfill the planting hole so the Bio-tone Starter Plus is in the plant root zone. It is ready to use and requires no mixing.
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING: Bio-tone Starter Plus is approved for organic gardening; It is a registered Organic Input Material meaning it meets all requirements for organic production.
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929.
- Specially designed to be used when planting new grass, Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Ready-Spray contains a combination of nutrients to help your new lawn grow quicker and thicker than if not fed at all
- This ready-to-spray liquid starter fertilizer makes it easy to feed and water your grass at the same time, improving seeding results for a beautiful, green lawn
- Apply this fertilizer anytime you're planting new grass, whether it's starting a new lawn, reseeding an existing one, or installing sod, sprigs, or grass plugs
- This lawn care product is safe to use on any grass type
- One 32 fl. oz. bottle of Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Ready-Spray covers 600 sq. ft.
- Produces remarkable results
- Made with 100% organic and natural ingredients
- Feeds for several months
- Contains no GMOs, chicken manure or sewage sludge
- For use on all plants
- Contains pro-biotic, seven champion strains of beneficial soil microbes plus ecto and endo mycorrhizae
- Exceptional results because nutrients are released quickly
- Safe for all tender transplants e.g. Pony pack and 4-inch containers
- Eight select strains of ecto and endo mycorrhizae contribute to drought tolerance, enhanced nutrient availability and increased plant performance
- Provides optimum levels of essential plant nutrients; eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers when used as directed
- Organic compost starter speeds up the composting process and is ideal for outdoor compost piles
- Compost accelerator is formulated with a 4-4-2 NPK to provide vegetables, plants, and flowers nutrients they need for a high yield and vibrant foliage
- Jobe's organic compost starter contains no synthetic chemicals and is OMRI listed for organic gardening by the USDA
- Compost starter is easily applied and should be used every 4-6 weeks or as needed
- Jobe's Organics provides a wide variety of plant fertilizer and soil amendments to give gardens the right amount of nutrients without over fertilizing
- FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLANT: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting all plants.
- CONTAINS: Bio-tone Starter Plus is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with both endo & ecto mycorrhizae and our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-3 Fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Bio-tone Starter Plus is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients.
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting. Mix thoroughly with soil used to backfill the planting hole so the Bio-tone Starter Plus is in the plant root zone. It is ready to use.
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING: Bio-tone Starter Plus is approved for organic gardening; It is a registered Organic Input Material meaning it meets all requirements for organic production.
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929.
- Jumpstart Your Plants with EZ-gro Liquid Fertilizer: EZ-gro's Plant Starter Fertilizer for grass is the ideal solution for seeding and transplanting. This high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer is specially designed to enhance root development in young plants, ensuring a solid foundation for future growth. Achieve vigorous and healthy plants right from the start with this powerful formula.
- Boost Root Growth for Thriving Seedlings: Our liquid fertilizer, featuring a 9-45-15 ratio, is formulated to promote exceptional root growth. The high phosphorus content supports seedlings as they establish themselves, leading to stronger plants that can better absorb nutrients and withstand environmental stress. This fertilizer is essential for ensuring your young plants thrive.
- Plant food for All Your Gardening Needs: EZ-gro 9-45-15 is perfect for a variety of plants, including vegetables, bedding plants, flowers, and ornamentals. Whether you're planting a vegetable garden or enhancing your flower beds, this starter fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients for robust growth and beautiful blooms throughout the season.
- Simple Application for Maximum Results: Using EZ-gro Plant Starter Fertilizer is a breeze! Mix 1 oz of the liquid fertilizer with one gallon of water for every watering session. This easy-to-use formula ensures your plants receive the right nutrients at the right time. Follow the label instructions for optimal results and watch your garden flourish.
- Our Story: Welcome to the world of EZ-gro, where we make growing easy. Our mission has been to develop products that make growing easy for the homeowner. We manufacture over fifty different cultivar-specific fertilizers for your houseplants. We also produce over one hundred seed pod kits for gardens, microgreen grow kits, hydroponic and soil grow kits, and soil products. We manufacture all of our products in the USA
- Increase Vertical & Lateral Growth: Advanced Humic Acid Formula, Also Great for New Sod/Seeding
- Nitrogen & Phosphorus Fertilizer: Commercial Lawn Growth Boosting Formula in a Ready-To-Use Hose End Sprayer
- Use For Nutrient Deficiency, New Lawns and Lawn Repair: Concentrated Nutrients formulated to boost the growth of your lawn
- All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass
- Produced In The United States: Growth Booster is manufactured in the United States of America, by a family owned business with 25 years of former experience in the commercial professional turf industry.
- Great Starter Fertilizer: Growth Booster Lawn Fertilizer provides essential Phosphorus to promote increased seedling vigor, and is highly recommended for seeding a lawn.
- Growth Booster contains 6% Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll where lawns get their green coloring. Nitrogen encourages vigorous growth for the development of a dense attractive lawn.
- Growth Booster contains 18% Phosphorus. Phosphorus encourages root development, and enhances vigorous lawn development in early stages. Phosphorus is essential for a successful seeding and for establishing sod.
- Blended with Humic Acid: Our Humic Acid is derived from the highest quality humate source, leonardite. Leonardite is considered by many to be the highest quality form of Humic Acid
- Growth Booster is best to be used when Establishing your lawn with Sod, when establishing your lawn with seed, if you are trying to Booster vertical and Lateral Growth, and/or if your lawn is deficient in Phosphorus.
- Down To Earth Starter Mix 3-3-3 in a five pound box. This all natural fertilizer is the perfect way to get your delicate young starts and new seedlings in the ground and ready to thrive
- Listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production
- A mild fertilizer with 3% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that also provides the essential secondary plant nutrients calcium, magnesium, sulfur and iron
- Diverse mix of beneficial nutrients to ensure successful planting, expansive root development and vigorous early season growth
- Ingredients: Alfalfa Meal, Fish Bone Meal, Langbeinite, Oyster Shell, Basalt, Feather Meal, Kelp Meal, and Humic Acids from Leonardite
- New lawn fertilizer formulated for new sod areas, newly seeded areas and vigorous grass.
- Provides an optimum supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and essential micro-nutrients for encouraging vigorous seedling and root establishment
- Contains 1% iron for extra deep greening
- Ideal for fall and spring applications
- FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLANT: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting all plants
- CONTAINS: Bio-tone Starter Plus is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with both endo & ecto mycorrhizae and our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-3 Fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Bio-tone Starter Plus is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting. Mix thoroughly with soil used to backfill the planting hole so the Bio-tone Starter Plus is in the plant root zone. It is ready to use and requires no mixing
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING: Bio-tone Starter Plus is approved for organic gardening; It is a registered Organic Input Material meaning it meets all requirements for organic production
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929
- Accelerates the establishment of new lawns
- Nurtures a lawn through its critical first weeks
- Reduces the risk of transplant shock
- Sod and seed starter 15-15-15 soil is a pre-fertilized soil
- Accelerates the establishment of your new lawn
- Nurtures your lawn through its critical first weeks
- Provides essential initial nourishment for your new lawn and reduces the risk of transplant shock
- Helps the grass roots develop faster and provides a carefully balanced mixture of vital nutrients
- FOR EVERYTHING YOU PLANT: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting all plants.
- CONTAINS: Bio-tone Starter Plus is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with both endo & ecto mycorrhizae and our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-3 Fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Bio-tone Starter Plus is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients.
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use Bio-tone Starter Plus fertilizer when planting / transplanting. Mix thoroughly with soil used to backfill the planting hole so the Bio-tone Starter Plus is in the plant root zone. It is ready to use.
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING: Bio-tone Starter Plus is approved for organic gardening; It is a registered Organic Input Material meaning it meets all requirements for organic production.
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929.
- Great for producing strong root mass to grow deeply into the soil.
- Engineered to deliver every thing needed for grass seed or sod to grow quickly and start life on the right foot.
- Includes potassium hydroxide (liquid aeration) to break up the soil and create space for deeper rooting.
- Includes humic acid as a carbon source and chelator as well as sea kelp microbial stimulant.
- Also great for phosphorus-deficient soils for a balanced fertility program on all turf types.
How to choose a good starter fertilizer
Does the idea of finding a fantastic starter fertilizer make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in starter fertilizer. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top starter fertilizer products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top starter fertilizer on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top starter fertilizer brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top starter fertilizer based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the starter fertilizer were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good starter fertilizer, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your starter fertilizer.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting starter fertilizer for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our starter fertilizer. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what starter fertilizer should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on starter fertilizer.
