O.k. You have had your soil tested and it recommends that you apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. You have a bag of urea with an analysis of 47-0-0 in your garage. How much do you apply to get the proper amount?

The key is to remember that those numbers on the fertilizer bag represent the percentage of nitrogen (N) - phosphorus (P) in the form of phosphate) - potassium (K) in the form of phosphate. More on fertilizers.

So, all you have to do is remember a simple formula to make the calculation:

The lbs of nutrient desired divided by % of the nutrient as a decimal  = lbs of fertilizer to use

Example:

1/.47 = 2.1 lbs of 47-0-0 to get 1 lb of nitrogen.

So, spreading only 2.1 pounds of urea (47-0-0) over 1,000 square feet of lawn will result in the plants receiving 1 pound of nitrogen.