Whether you are aiming for prize-winning vegetables, vibrant flower beds or a lush landscape, the right soil nutrition is the foundation of your success.
IFA’s Grand Champion All-Purpose Garden Fertilizer is your versatile all-purpose tool for growing all the plants you love. This new 16-16-16 granule is specifically designed to be your go-to garden fertilizer for award-winning fruits, vegetables, flowers and landscapes.
Why Choose Grand Champion Fertilizer?
Grand Champion is a complete nutrition system for your entire yard. Like all our IFA fertilizers, Grand Champion is locally formulated for the unique, challenging soils of the Intermountain West. The 16-16-16 mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium delivers reliable, professional-grade results season after season.
1. Advanced Omnicote Technology
Uniform growth requires uniform nutrition. Every pellet of Grand Champion is coated using IFA’s exclusive Omnicote Technology. This ensures that each granule contains a balanced blend of micronutrients, including iron and calcium, for even distribution across your garden or lawn.
2. Triple-Action Non-Staining Iron
Iron is essential for plant growth and production, but it can often leave rust-colored spots on concrete. Grand Champion is locally formulated with three types of non-staining iron. This allows you to achieve championship growth, vibrant blooms and abundant harvests without worrying about staining your driveway or sidewalk.
3. AZOMITE® Trace Minerals
IFA’s Grand Champion formula is infused with AZOMITE® minerals, a naturally occurring mineral ore containing over 60 trace elements. These minerals help plants develop stronger root systems and produce more abundant yields.
Where to Use Grand Champion 16-16-16
Grand Champion is taking the lead as IFA’s primary garden fertilizer, replacing the previous 16-16-8 formulation with a more balanced, high-performance nutrient profile. While Grand Champion is primarily designed as a high-performance garden fertilizer, it is also an excellent choice for many areas of your landscape.
- Vegetable Gardens: Promotes healthy, productive plants and abundant yields of vegetables and fruits.
- Flower Beds: Supports stunning, vibrant blooms and strong growth.
- Trees & Shrubs: Provides essential nutrients for both fruit-bearing and ornamental trees and evergreens.
- Established Lawns: Can be used as a high-quality turf fertilizer for a mid-season boost.
How to Apply IFA Garden Fertilizer for the Best Results
For the best results, always apply Grand Champion to dry foliage and water in immediately afterward.
Vegetable Gardens
Preplanting: Apply 8-12 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. before planting and mix into the top 3-5 inches of soil. Additional applications may be required on some vegetables as they grow and mature.
Side Dressing: Apply 1½-2½ lb. per 100 sq. ft., or side dress row crops by applying 1½-2½ lb. per 100 lb. per 100 ft. row, in a band 2 inches to the side of the growing plants and 1-2 inches under the soil.
Flower Gardens
Apply about 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft., and mix into the top 2-3 inches of soil before planting. Reapply at the same rate about every 6 weeks.
Application Area |
Rate |
Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables (Preplant) | 8–12 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. | Once Before planting |
| Flowers | 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft. | Every 6 weeks |
| Trees & Shrubs | 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft. (or per inch of trunk diameter) | Once in Spring or fall |
| Established Lawns | 6.25 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. | Every 4–6 weeks |
Fruit Trees, Shade Trees, Evergreens & Shrubs
Apply about 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft., or 1 lb. for each inch of the trunk’s diameter, in the root zone of trees and shrubs, and mix into the top 4-6 inches of soil or as deeply as possible without disturbing roots.
Trees may also be fertilized by drilling 1 inch holes at 18 inch intervals within the drip line of (area directly under) the tree. Pour 1 tablespoon of 16-16-16 Grand Champion in each hole. This need only be done once each year–in spring before growth starts–or after leaves drop in the fall.
Lawns
New Lawns (Preplant): Apply 5-8 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. for new lawns before seeding or sodding. Rake fertilizer into the top ½-1 inch of soil and then spread seed or lay sod.
Established Lawns: Apply 6.25 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. any time of year at 4-6 week intervals for best results. Apply evenly to dry (non-wet) turf and water your lawn thoroughly after applying. This will ensure the fertilizer nutrients travel through the soil to be absorbed by the roots.
Be sure to overlap your walking paths to achieve uniform application and to avoid lines. As a general rule, open your spreader to one-fourth inch and walk normally. Keep in mind that if you walk faster you will want to open the spreader a little more to compensate for your stride.
Recommended Spreader Settings for Established Lawns
-
- IFA Heavy Duty Broadcast (Red): Coming Soon
- IFA Homeowner Broadcast (Blue): Coming Soon
- Earthway Drop: 18
- Earthway Broadcast: 18
- IFA Broadcast (Old Blue Spreader): 18
- Lesco: 17
- Spyker Broadcast: 4.75
- Chapin All Season Broadcast: 21
- Chapin Pro Broadcast Spreader: 14
- Scotts Accu Green: 8
- Scotts Easy Green: 26.5
- Scotts Pro Edge: 7.5
- Scotts EdgeGuard DLX: 8.5
- Scotts Edgeguard Mini: 8.5
- Scotts Speedy Green 1000/3000: 7
- Scotts Speedy Green 2000: 8
- Scotts Whirl Hand Spreader: 5 - Apply Twice
- Scotts Wizz Hand Spreader: 6 - Apply Twice
Apply only as recommended. Avoid spilling or applying more than is recommended, as damage to plants may result.
Grand Champion Liquid: Quick-Acting Nutrition
While Grand Champion granules are designed for slow-release, long-term feeding, IFA Grand Champion All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer (8-6-4) offers a different approach to plant health. It is important to remember that these two products have very different ingredients and purposes.
Immediate Absorption
Unlike the 16-16-16 granules, which break down over time, our 8-6-4 liquid formula is designed for immediate plant uptake. It features an organic-based blend of macro and micro-nutrients to maximize nutrient absorption through both the roots and leaves.
When to Use Liquid Fertilizer:
- Container Plants: Ideal for hanging baskets and potted flowers that need frequent spoon-feeding.
- Foliar Feeding: Can be sprayed directly on leaves for a rapid nutrient boost.
- Correcting Stress: Perfect for giving a quick pick-me-up to vegetables or flowers during the heat of the season.
Note: Unlike the granular version, Grand Champion Liquid may stain concrete or painted surfaces. Always spray off unwanted areas with water immediately after application.
How to Apply Liquid Liquid Garden Fertilizer
Soil Application: Thoroughly soak soil around the root zone with correct dilution.
Foliar Application: Do not apply as a foliar in drought conditions.
1. Apply as a foliar early in the morning or late in the evening.
2. For dial hose-end sprayers, pour IFA Grand Champion into the device and set the dilution ratio according to your application needs.
3. Avoid watering for 24 hours to prevent fertilizer runoff and ensure nutrient absorption through the leaves. Adding more than the recommended amount may burn plants. Do not use spraying devices that have been used with insecticides or herbicides.
Grow with IFA Grand Champion Garden Fertilizer
Achieving a professional-grade landscape doesn't have to be a guessing game. By providing your soil with the balanced nutrition of IFA Grand Champion All-Purpose Garden Fertilizer, you’re ensuring your plants have the foundation they need to thrive in our unique regional climate.
Stop by your local IFA Country Store today to grab a bag (or a bottle) and start growing your best garden yet. Our experts are always ready to help you find the perfect application for your specific yard and goals. Here’s to a season of championship growth!
Information for this article was provided by Aaron Jaussi, IFA Lawn & Garden Buyer and former Branch Manager at Provo IFA Country Store.