20-5-10 Fertilizer
Balanced / all-purpose20-5-10 is 20% nitrogen, 5% phosphate and 10% potash by weight. To apply 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, spread 5 lbs of product per 1,000 sq ft; a 50-lb bag covers about 10,000 sq ft at that rate.
What 20-5-10 Means
Nitrogen (N)
20%
10 lb per bag
Green color and growth
Phosphate (P₂O₅)
5%
2.5 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 4:1:2. The remainder of the bag is carrier, filler, and secondary nutrients.
How Much 20-5-10 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 | 1.25 lb | 54.5 lb | 40,000 sq ft | 0.25-0.06-0.13 |
| 0.5 lb N | 2.5 lb | 109 lb | 20,000 sq ft | 0.5-0.13-0.25 |
| 0.75 lb N | 3.75 lb | 163 lb | 13,333 sq ft | 0.75-0.19-0.38 |
| 1 lb N | 5 lb | 218 lb | 10,000 sq ft | 1-0.25-0.5 |
What It's For
A nitrogen-forward lawn fertilizer with a little phosphorus and solid potassium. A 4:1:2 ratio often recommended for general lawn maintenance.
When to Use It
Spring and fall feedings.
Before You Spread It
- 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.
20-5-10 Calculator
Enter your lawn size to get the total amount, or change the analysis to check a different bag.
Spread 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft, 25 lb for 5,000 sq ft (0.5 bags).
Delivers 1 lb N, 0.25 lb P₂O₅ and 0.5 lb K₂O per 1,000 sq ft. Never exceed the label rate.
Common Questions
How much 20-5-10 per 1,000 sq ft?
To deliver 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, apply 5 lbs of 20-5-10 per 1,000 sq ft, or about 218 lbs per acre. Many applications use half that or less, and the product label rate always comes first.
What is 20-5-10 fertilizer used for?
A nitrogen-forward lawn fertilizer with a little phosphorus and solid potassium. A 4:1:2 ratio often recommended for general lawn maintenance.
When should I apply 20-5-10?
Spring and fall feedings.
What do the numbers 20-5-10 mean?
They're the percentages by weight of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅) and potash (K₂O). A 50-lb bag of 20-5-10 contains 10 lbs of nitrogen, 2.5 lbs of phosphate and 5 lbs of potash; the rest is carrier and other ingredients.
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