10-10-10 Fertilizer
Balanced / all-purpose10-10-10 is 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphate and 10% potash by weight. To apply 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, spread 10 lbs of product per 1,000 sq ft; a 50-lb bag covers about 5,000 sq ft at that rate.
What 10-10-10 Means
Nitrogen (N)
10%
5 lb per bag
Green color and growth
Phosphate (P₂O₅)
10%
5 lb per bag
Root growth, new seedlings
Potash (K₂O)
10%
5 lb per bag
Stress, drought and cold tolerance
Pounds shown are per 50-lb bag. The N:P:K ratio simplifies to 1:1:1. The remainder of the bag is carrier, filler, and secondary nutrients.
How Much 10-10-10 to Apply
Lawn feeding is measured in pounds of nutrient per 1,000 sq ft. Here's how much product hits each common target.
| Target | Product / 1,000 sq ft | Per acre | 50-lb bag covers | Delivers (N-P-K lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 lb N | 2.5 lb | 109 lb | 20,000 sq ft | 0.25-0.25-0.25 |
| 0.5 lb N | 5 lb | 218 lb | 10,000 sq ft | 0.5-0.5-0.5 |
| 0.75 lb N | 7.5 lb | 327 lb | 6,667 sq ft | 0.75-0.75-0.75 |
| 1 lb N | 10 lb | 436 lb | 5,000 sq ft | 1-1-1 |
What It's For
A general-purpose garden fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphate and potash. It works on lawns, but most established turf doesn't need that much phosphorus.
When to Use It
Fine at seeding if you don't have a starter. For routine lawn feeding, a high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus analysis is a better match.
Before You Spread It
- At 10% nitrogen it takes 10 lbs of product per 1,000 sq ft to deliver 1 lb N, which is a lot of material through a spreader.
- Several states restrict phosphorus on established lawns unless a soil test shows a need or you're seeding. Check your state's rules before using it as a routine feed.
10-10-10 Calculator
Enter your lawn size to get the total amount, or change the analysis to check a different bag.
Spread 10 lb per 1,000 sq ft, 50 lb for 5,000 sq ft (1 bags).
Delivers 1 lb N, 1 lb P₂O₅ and 1 lb K₂O per 1,000 sq ft. Never exceed the label rate.
Common Questions
How much 10-10-10 per 1,000 sq ft?
To deliver 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, apply 10 lbs of 10-10-10 per 1,000 sq ft, or about 436 lbs per acre. Many applications use half that or less, and the product label rate always comes first.
What is 10-10-10 fertilizer used for?
A general-purpose garden fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphate and potash. It works on lawns, but most established turf doesn't need that much phosphorus.
When should I apply 10-10-10?
Fine at seeding if you don't have a starter. For routine lawn feeding, a high-nitrogen, low-phosphorus analysis is a better match.
What do the numbers 10-10-10 mean?
They're the percentages by weight of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅) and potash (K₂O). A 50-lb bag of 10-10-10 contains 5 lbs of nitrogen, 5 lbs of phosphate and 5 lbs of potash; the rest is carrier and other ingredients.
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