Plants absorb nutrients in the same way, whether the source be organic or a conventional fertilizer. Turfgrass roots will only absorb dissolved nutrients found in the soil water. Organic fertilizers do not offer any advantages to the care of your lawn. The choice is strictly personal preference.
Complete vs. Balanced Fertilizers
Fertilizer is any material supplying one or more essential plant nutrients. Most common turfgrass fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, but they may also include other essential mineral elements for turfgrass growth.
Complete fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, but they may also include other essential minerals elements for turfgrass growth.
Complete fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the same product. If a fertilizer contains less than all three elements it is referred to as an incomplete fertilizer. If urea, a 46-0-0 incomplete fertilizer, is used for every application through the season, lower turf quality may result if other essential elements are not being supplied by the soil.
Balanced fertilizers provide nutrients in a predetermined ratio that best meets he plant's requirements for those elements. Turfgrasses require nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the approximate ratio of 3-1-2, 4-1-2, or 8-1-3.
Remember that the right balanced fertilizer ratio will differ with grass type, and is also influenced by soil levels of certain elements.
