[SNOWBOB11]

I'm looking to add cracked corn to my fertilizer regime this year. I can get this https://www.tscstores.com/25KG-TSC-CRACKED-CORN-P8740.aspx from my local tractor supply store but before I do, I just wanted to get my facts straight that this is the right thing to be using and that I won't have corn plants growing all over the lawn. As far as I know as long as the corn kernel is cracked it won't sprout. It's not advertised as a fertilizer, it's a feed which I believe is correct. Just wanted TLF to reassure me that I'm not buying like 50lb of corn seeds.

 

[probasestealer]

That's exactly what I buy from Tractor Supply.

I've never seen any germination from it.

 

[probasestealer]

Actually this is what I buy.. but it's just the USA version

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-cracked-corn-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005

 

[jessehurlburt]

Actually this is what I buy.. but it's just the USA version

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-cracked-corn-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005

How do you guys apply this? Broadcast spreader?

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Great, thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to be using that and alfalfa pellets to get some grains into the lawn this season. Thanks again.

 

[probasestealer]

@SNOWBOB11
Yeah, I love alfalfa pellets. Cracked corn is cheaper, but alfalfa has triacontanol, which also acts as a natural growth stimulator. I use both. Probably for your lawn size a bag or two of corn and 1 bag of alfalfa will suffice. But if you were planning to do more it certainly won't hurt.

 

[g-man]

The US image looks different. This is what I use: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-cracked-corn-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005

Yes it is to feed chickens, but the lawn likes it. The cracked version has never sprouted for me. The first time it will take a while to breakdown, but after that it disappears in no time.

By the way I use this for alfalfa pellets: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-alfalfa-pellets-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005

 

[SNOWBOB11]

@probasestealer A bag or two for the year or each application? I actually was trying to find some info on about how much pounds per k you are to use each application. For corn and alfalfa.

 

[g-man]

How do you guys apply this? Broadcast spreader?

Broadcast spreader for the cracked corn.
I hand toss the alfalfa pellets since they get stuck in my spreader. By the way, the kids love helping on this one.

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Oh wait it could never be a bag per application that would be insane. How much about do you put down each application then?

 

[Togo]

I've been curious about all this too. How much to apply, what the benefits are? I suppose it adds organic matter.

I'm excited that we will be getting a TS soon on the island.

 

[g-man]

Ive done 2 bags -100 lb (45Kg)- cracked corn into 5678 sqft of lawn at once and monthly. I use these values for NPK 1.65-0.65-0.4 in my log.

For alfalfa I've done 50lb (22Kg) 1bag at once/monthly. I use 2.5-1-2 for my log.

I go with whole bags because I dont want to store open bags to avoid pest (mice love corn).

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Thanks g-man. Thats heavy. So being my front and side lawn are just a bit over half the size of you're lawn, I should be good at putting down 1 full 55lb bag each application or half rate over 2 applications. That makes it easy.

 

[probasestealer]

The corn rate depends on what you are using it for, fungal prevention you can use a lower rate, as fertilizer you want to use a higher rate. I don't remember the exact rates that were recommended to me, but i think it was 10-60lbs of corn per/1000. Organics add up quickly in cost, so I just usually use 10lbs of alfalfa/1k and 20lbs of corn/1k. Areas in need of higher organic content or feeding I will go higher. I always intend to use more, but try to keep my purchases in the $30 range per app. I typically do this 2-4x per year. I also use MIlorganite and during the fall will use some synthetic N.

 

[probasestealer]

Thanks g-man. Thats heavy. So being my front and side lawn are just a bit over half the size of you're lawn, I should be good at putting down 1 full 55lb bag each application or half rate over 2 applications. That makes it easy.

This is reasonable. Remember it takes awhile for this nitrogen to be available in the soil, 1-3 months depending on the type of organic matter, soil temps and microbial activity. You are feeding the soil and depending on the microbes to break it down and feed the plant. I typically incorporate this this with BLSC sprays which contain molasses and humic acid.

 

[g-man]

^+1

Organic fertilizing is slow and costly, but it improves the soil than just the grass.

 

[social port]

I go with whole bags because I dont want to store open bags to avoid pest (mice love corn)

Do you ever worry about the cracked corn attracting rodents (and other pests that might burrow) to your yard?

 

[g-man]

No. Birds eat some of it, but it is too spreaded around the yard to get a lot of rodents.

 

[zeus201]

I'm big into organic fertilizing as well.

I rotate between cracked corn, alfalfa and soybean meal bi-weekly in an effort to add to the OM. I use my normal Earthway spreader for all of them.

Don't use alfalfa meal....dusty mess, stick with the pellet version.

 

[probasestealer]

I go with whole bags because I dont want to store open bags to avoid pest (mice love corn)

Do you ever worry about the cracked corn attracting rodents (and other pests that might burrow) to your yard?

Rabbits are the only "pest" I've noticed. But they leave their droppings all around, so I figure I come out ahead. I see a few birds, but really no more than normal.

I don't see too many rabbits these days. I guess the two neighborhood cats, the friendly fox family and the coyotes (I've never seen) keep the rabbit population in check.