What fertilizer should I use?

[moneyisflying]

So this is the 2nd year for my yard (as in the grass was just planted in the fall of 2012).

I used 23-0-7 last fall, and at the time I was reccomended to use that. Anyone know what fertilizer I should be using this spring?

 

[Falcon67]

Based on the amount of rain we're likely to get, I've been thinking matches and a hose followed by some loads of gravel.

I typically use Scotts Turf Builder, don't even look at the mix. It seems to work well even when hit with our crappy well water.

 

[bobcat]

Get with your County Agent and have some soil samples analyzed to find out what the soil/grass actually needs . Down here , it costs all of $6/sample for the analysis and fertilizer recommendation . Be sure to tell them what type of grass you have as what works on say Centipede , won`t work on another type . Otherwise , you`re just guessing as soil conditions change from year to year .

 

[12ozd]

^ excellent advice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

In early spring, once the temps are regularly above 50-55, but before they are regularly above 70-75, I use 19-19-19 "farm" fertilizer. This is typically during the month of April. If we have an early spring (not likely this year) I have put it on in late March. If you do get it down early, hit it a second time in early May.

You will have the nicest lawn on the block !

You need to find a "feed store" to sell you farm fertilizer.

 

[moneyisflying]

Specifically I was looking for a formula recommendation. I called the county, and they said it will be a long while before they can get out to get me samples.

19-19-19 is a generic fertilizer. I am looking for what would be best suited for my particular lawn for this time of year. It's still a fairly young lawn, and there are still quite a few spots that are fairly sparse and thin. You really need the right formulation of nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Getting the wrong formula for your lawn can do more harm than good. So just saying "It worked good for me", will not mean it will work good for everyone.

I have a coupon to Tractor Supply that expires in a week and was hoping to get this ironed out soon to make use of the savings from the coupon (I own 9 acres and the amount I need is quite expensive so the coupon saves me a lot).

 

[buddyboy]

what is right for your lawn will depend on your soil.

since you cannot get it tested you should go with an across the board 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 or 19-19-19

if you get sick and can't go to the doctor you should just start taking pills based on your age and what you think is best. lol

seriously you should be able to find instructions online from labs where you can take your own samples and mail them in. whatever you spend on the testing you'll save in not buying unneeded nutrients.

for 9 acres it would well be worth it. you might need lime, green sand, P, K, N who knows? one acre may need nothing another area a bunch.

good luck

 

[TurboMiata]

No reason why you can't take the soil samples yourself and send them in. At least in PA, all you need to do is go to the local extension office, pay $7 for the soil samples, dry them overnight and send it in the next day. Instructions are included with the test.

There is a huge risk of wasting money/fertilizer without having a specific soil test done. You'd probably be better off getting the specific recommendation and getting exactly what you need from a co-op rather than buying whatever TSC has in stock.

The soil test will also tell you how much lime is needed (if any) which is arguably just as if not more important than fertilizer.

 

[pattenp]

In the spring you usually want a fertilizer that has a large first number which is high in nitrogen. Such as 24-2-12. But as said, you really need to know what your lawn needs by testing the soil. Short of having it tested use a mix with a larger first number.

 

[Tone-NY]

Get with your County Agent and have some soil samples analyzed to find out what the soil/grass actually needs . Down here , it costs all of $6/sample for the analysis and fertilizer recommendation . Be sure to tell them what type of grass you have as what works on say Centipede , won`t work on another type . Otherwise , you`re just guessing as soil conditions change from year to year .

Great advice!

 

[Davefr]

Specifically I was looking for a formula recommendation. I called the county, and they said it will be a long while before they can get out to get me samples.

Then buy a test kit and DIY.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Ya know that stuff makes you mow and water more. I put absolutely no fertilizer down and still end up mowing twice a week (occasionally 3 times).
Anyone making recommendations without a soil test (or even seeing the lawn) just wants to sell fertilizer.

 

[moneyisflying]

I won't have the time to get the soil tested past a DIY kit before the coupon is expired.

From what I have researched on my own, it would seem I want a big small small combo. From talking with a lawn expert at the local garden center it would seem this should cover my soil unless there is some unforeseen deficiency in the soil (which he said there really should be no reason for).

So as pattenp suggested, a large Nitrogen content should be what would be needed for where I am at. The phosphorous would only be needed for new seed and just a small potash content should help with some weather and disease.

Sounds like what I got in the fall should work for now again.

 

[gearhead9056]

At the same time if you wait until you have a soil test done you may end up saving more on fertilizer than if you were to take a guess at what you need plus your results will likely come out better in the end and no worries about fertilizer running off into water sources

 

[gearhead9056]

https://www.midwestlabs.com/soil-testing-packages/

here is a good place for tests, they give the recommendations with lawn and garden test packages

 

[Turfbassert]

Get a slow release product that will feed for the entire season. Check out john Deere landscapes in Fort Wayne.
What are you looking for in your lawn and how are you applying 9 acres of fert. .

 

[Halfdawg]

Harbor Freight,,, they got isles and isles of ****!!

 

[marty_p]

X2... Don't guess ~ soil test! It's a great use of $12!

 

[bareass172]

I moved into my place a little over 4 years ago and the first year I just put down what was recommended for my "area". My lawn reacted so horribly that I had big brown and dead spots for that year and part of the following. I dropped ~$20 on a home soil test and checked it myself. It turns out that my lawn is very different from the majority of lawns in my area, so by using the generally recommended fertilizer I weakened my lawn to such a degree that it actually developed a condition called "take all root rot". I am still trying to get it to recover from that one bad fertilizer I put down over 4 years ago. It's mostly better now, but I still have a couple of small problem areas.

My point is - I would never fertilize with any "recommended" fertilizer without doing a soil test first.

You should have no problem finding one that does pH (acidity), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The N, P, and K are what makes up the #-#-# formulation you see on the bag.

Be sure you check what your type of grass needs, and pull soil samples from several different places to get a good "average" in case you happen to hit one "bad" sample site. Also, check online for co-ops and agricultural colleges near you as they typically have a wealth of good information available in .pdf's on their websites.

 

[moneyisflying]

I am glad I didn't listen to those that said "go with 12-12-12". Found this the yesterday and it says right on it that it is not for established lawns like mine.


This is why getting info from the internet is so difficult. That and half of you are not listening.

Me: "I do not have time to get soil testing done"
Multiple replies after: "You really need to get soil testing done"

I ended up having to go elsewhere to get help. After I spoke with the specialist, I spoke with my neighbor (who has done soil testing). He has the best lawn in the neighborhood, and he said that the fertilizer I was recommended is perfect for what we have and my lawn.

I don't want to bash the forum, because I do like it. But in threads like this it is very frustrating to read comments after it was clear that others had either not read the thread, or paid no attention to what I had to say, or others that just didn't know (like in recommending a fertilizer that would have probably done serious damage to my lawn).

 

[1grnlwn]

I'm sorry but if you know the answer, why did you ask the question? My guess is you could ruin your yard with any fertilizer you use except the one you pictured. But I will have to yield to the guy at the hardware store and your "neighbor" because my turf fertilizing experience is only 15 years as a turf professional.

 

[Ragged Earl]

If your neighbor ever fertilized or limed his before he tested, his results will be different than yours. Now you're going to use fertilizer you already had, not use the TC coupon and you're still not going to do the soil test?

I bought 40acres that was already planted in Coastal. Everybody told me I'd have to fertilize.
The first year it made 44 round bales.
The next year I had the soil tested and it showed that it needed lime.
I had it limed, no fertilizer. The second season it made 117 round bales.
It's really not something you can guess at.

 

[moneyisflying]

I'm sorry but if you know the answer, why did you ask the question? My guess is you could ruin your yard with any fertilizer you use except the one you pictured. But I will have to yield to the guy at the hardware store and your "neighbor" because my turf fertilizing experience is only 15 years as a turf professional.

Well that's my point. I didn't know the answer (and if you read the thread from the beginning you should have known that). That's why I asked the question and looked for help here. When it seemed I wouldn't get the answer here, I had to look elsewhere to get the answer in my time frame.

If you are an expert, why would the generic 12-12-12 fertilizer say right on it that it was not for established lawns when you are saying "it's the only one that won't ruin my yard", when my neighbor (who again had the soil testing done, and no it wasn't after he fertilized) said that the test results showed that the lawn required the same fertilizer I was already recommended?

 

[moneyisflying]

If your neighbor ever fertilized or limed his before he tested, his results will be different than yours. Now you're going to use fertilizer you already had, not use the TC coupon and you're still not going to do the soil test?

I bought 40acres that was already planted in Coastal. Everybody told me I'd have to fertilize.
The first year it made 44 round bales.
The next year I had the soil tested and it showed that it needed lime.
I had it limed, no fertilizer. The second season it made 117 round bales.
It's really not something you can guess at.

My neighbor did nothing before the soil test was done. His yard that sits adjacent to mine was in the same exact condition mine was (minus my grass being much younger than his).

I only have a couple bags left from the previous fall, I'll need many more to complete the job.

 

[1grnlwn]

Son, you are all hat and no cattle! People pay me for lawn care advise, why should I give it to you for free? Even if I told you why, you would come back and give some anecdote about what your garbage man said. If you really want to know why it says not for established yards, I will send you a self addressed envelope and you can send me $44 (my min) and I will tell you. Probably be the best money you ever spent.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I only have a half acre but have great luck with the Scott's. The best thing I do for my yard in the spring is drag my dethatcher around behind the tractor. I get all the old **** up and score the ground so it absorbs the material I am applying.

 

[G McKay]

I have always been a Scotts fan. So anything I buy like seed, or fertilizer, I just go with Scotts. I have always had great luck with it.

 

[12ozd]

Well that's my point. I didn't know the answer (and if you read the thread from the beginning you should have known that). That's why I asked the question and looked for help here. When it seemed I wouldn't get the answer here, I had to look elsewhere to get the answer in my time frame.

You got the answer, just not the one you wanted.
Next time let us know what answer you want.
There is no way any one here can tell you what your specific yard needs.
I wouldn't listen to anyone who said they could.
The correct answer is = You really need to get soil testing done

If you are an expert, why would the generic 12-12-12 fertilizer say right on it that it was not for established lawns when you are saying "it's the only one that won't ruin my yard", when my neighbor (who again had the soil testing done, and no it wasn't after he fertilized) said that the test results showed that the lawn required the same fertilizer I was already recommended?

Then go w/ what your neighbor said.

Son, you are all hat and no cattle!

 

[buddyboy]

12-12-12 will not harm your lawn

the company is covering it's ****, because it's granular and if it's applied by everyone in a subdivision the runoff would be bad for lakes and streams. think about it, there is a storm drain every 100 ft in every direction in a subdivision for a reason(they have a ton of run off).

because you have 9 acres you are more like a field than a lawn, a lot less runoff that 9 acres of subdivision.

me: hey doc I want to be healthy what kind of pill should i take?
doc: hmmmm... come on in for a physical so i can check you out.

me: my coupon is going to expire for these pills and I have a bunch of left over pills the worked last year, what do you think?
doc: well if you're not going to come in for a physical just take a multi-vitamin

me: the bottle says that multi-vitamin has not been proven by the FDA to treat or cure anything.
doc: i have to go

 

[1grnlwn]

12-12-12 will not harm your lawn

the company is covering it's ****, because it's granular and if it's applied by everyone in a subdivision the runoff would be bad for lakes and streams. think about it, there is a storm drain every 100 ft in every direction in a subdivision for a reason(they have a ton of run off.

Ding Ding Ding We have a winner. Phosphorus (second number) has been deemed as a pollutant and professionals are not even allowed to use it unless it is a new seeding situation. They still allow homeowners to buy it but they jacked the price to reduce the amount misused.

 

[hippie2cams]

I hate to say this, but why don't you just go to the local garden supply and ask them what works in your area for this time of year and then pay them for the products and go home and spread the joy of mowing everytime you glance out the window because its going to grow faster than you ever imagined

 

[moneyisflying]

Son, you are all hat and no cattle! People pay me for lawn care advise, why should I give it to you for free? Even if I told you why, you would come back and give some anecdote about what your garbage man said. If you really want to know why it says not for established yards, I will send you a self addressed envelope and you can send me $44 (my min) and I will tell you. Probably be the best money you ever spent.

No thanks.

I only have a half acre but have great luck with the Scott's. The best thing I do for my yard in the spring is drag my dethatcher around behind the tractor. I get all the old **** up and score the ground so it absorbs the material I am applying.

I have heard other people have great luck with Scott's. How is it different than others? It says its good for any lawn any time of the year but wonder how true that is.

 

[1507dennis]

Son, you are all hat and no cattle! People pay me for lawn care advise, why should I give it to you for free? Even if I told you why, you would come back and give some anecdote about what your garbage man said. If you really want to know why it says not for established yards, I will send you a self addressed envelope and you can send me $44 (my min) and I will tell you. Probably be the best money you ever spent.

That is a waste of money as the information is free on the internet!!!!!!!

 

[Allenw]

Ding Ding Ding We have a winner. Phosphorus (second number) has been deemed as a pollutant and professionals are not even allowed to use it unless it is a new seeding situation. They still allow homeowners to buy it but they jacked the price to reduce the amount misused.

And every one blames the farmer for run off pollution.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

And every one blames the farmer for run off pollution.

Indeed. Most McSubdivisions just throw a bunch of fert on top of sod with solid clay underneath, and make sure to overspread it on the sidewalks and the streets. That way, the first rain can wash all of it into the storm sewer, and it can go directly into the rivers without breaking down or percolating through the soil. The farmer shits wrong and the EPA is all over his ***. But a 400,000 acre small metro of DIY direct runoff is no problem.
/rant off

 

[bareass172]

You got the answer, just not the one you wanted.
Next time let us know what answer you want.
There is no way any one here can tell you what your specific yard needs.
I wouldn't listen to anyone who said they could.
The correct answer is = You really need to get soil testing done

^^^^^ So much this...

Without a soil test how can you expect people from all over the place to properly advise you? I even gave you an example of what happened to my yard when I took someone's advice without a soil test...

 

[925driver]

Buy what you think you need based on your research, don't use what you bought yet, test the soil, wait for the results, and then examine if you have the right stuff. If you don't have the right stuff just return what you have for what you need. They will have to refund even what the coupon took off otherwise they would be double dipping on the coupon benefits. That's if it's a manufacture coupon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1grnlwn]

Indeed. Most McSubdivisions just throw a bunch of fert on top of sod with solid clay underneath, and make sure to overspread it on the sidewalks and the streets. That way, the first rain can wash all of it into the storm sewer, and it can go directly into the rivers without breaking down or percolating through the soil. The farmer shits wrong and the EPA is all over his ***. But a 400,000 acre small metro of DIY direct runoff is no problem.
/rant off

Funny because agriculture is #1 polluter of water . EPA has rules for everyone, break those rules and they are on your ****. Do a search on atrizine and trace that back to a homeowner.

 

[graffix000]

I am glad I didn't listen to those that said "go with 12-12-12". Found this the yesterday and it says right on it that it is not for established lawns like mine.


This is why getting info from the internet is so difficult. That and half of you are not listening.

Me: "I do not have time to get soil testing done"
Multiple replies after: "You really need to get soil testing done"

I ended up having to go elsewhere to get help. After I spoke with the specialist, I spoke with my neighbor (who has done soil testing). He has the best lawn in the neighborhood, and he said that the fertilizer I was recommended is perfect for what we have and my lawn.

I don't want to bash the forum, because I do like it. But in threads like this it is very frustrating to read comments after it was clear that others had either not read the thread, or paid no attention to what I had to say, or others that just didn't know (like in recommending a fertilizer that would have probably done serious damage to my lawn).

Is this for real? You can't automatically use what your neighbor uses and think it will be fine. There could be big differences between your yards and not know it. For how cheap and easy it is to do a soil sample, why wouldn't you. I never understand how people come and ask for advice, get it, and then complain.

It is like asking what kind of oil I should use for my car.

 

[1grnlwn]

Is this for real? You can't automatically use what your neighbor uses and think it will be fine.

Uhhhhh yea he can! This is a funny thread. It's just grass, he is not tuning the waste gate on a turbo. If it was just seeded last year and looks decent, the soil is fine. Even if a deficiency was detected the budget probably not be sufficient for corrections. Established Turfgrass is about Nitrogen and release rates. Time would be better spent learning to apply it properly. Nobody even asked about turf variety, makes a difference. Oh learning how to post a right side up picture can be a valuable skill also.