Lawn Care Forum banner

Fall fertilizer options

1 reading
13K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  jha4aamu  
#1 ·
As my knees and back have been killing me lately, not sure I'm going to be able to put down 8 bags of milo as I normally do (for my 20k sf).

I'm thinking of just using 1-2 bags of a fall fert instead.

Any thoughts on

https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/store/p/GreenView-Fairway-Formula-Fall-Fertilizer__21-29862.aspx
vs
https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/store/p/GreenView-Fall-Lawn-Food-with-GreenSmart__21-31182.aspx





In the past I've used the scotts starter with tenacity, especially if spot seeding here and there (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-Turf-Builder-21-5-lbs-5-000-sq-ft-Starter-Lawn-Fertilizer-for-New-Grass-Plus-Weed-Preventer-23200/203716573), which has been replaced with https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-Turf-Builder-17-2-lbs-4-000-sq-ft-Triple-Action-Built-for-Seeding-Lawn-Fertilizer-23001A/313348602, but it's very expense for 20k sf.
 
#2 ·
Milo is not a particularly good fall fertilizer as it is organic it needs warm temps to break down and also is very slow release.

A fast release Urea/AMS based product is a much better choice. Preferably straight 46-0-0 urea or 21-0-0 AMS.

The 22-0-10 product you linked looks good IMO.. Only 4.6% slow release... The other one has more water insoluble N and mentions extended feeding, which you don't want.. In 12 weeks the grass will be sleeping..
 
#3 ·
How much fertilizer have you put down this year? How many pounds of nitrogen do you want to do? Tttf usually does well with 2-3 lb per 1000 sq ft of nitrogen a year. Most of it should be applied in the fall.

The 30-0-12 is 22.5 lb at $41.53. It will supply 6.75 lb of nitrogen. To get about 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft over 20,000, you will need 3 bags. It has over 50% slow release so it will feed over a long period, like 2 months. You could go up to 1.5 lb of nitrogen in a single application and do just one application for the fall. Let's say you do 4 bags. It would get you 1.35 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft.

The 22-0-10 is 15 lb at $27.49. It will supply 3.3 lb of nitrogen. To get about 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft over 20,000 sq ft, you will need 6 bags. It has some slow release but is mostly fast release. You could put down 1 lb of nitrogen in a single application and do it again next month to get a total of 2 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft. Or you could do a bit less if you don't want that much nitrogen. For example, if you did 5 bags in an application, you would get .83 lb per 1000 sq ft per application.

There are probably other choices. Multiply the lbs by the percentage of nitrogen (the N in the NPK number). That will tell you how much nitrogen is in the bag. If you want to make just one application and be done with it, look for a fertilizer with over 50% slow release. The 30-0-12 is 60% slow release. The 22-0-10 is 23%.
 
#4 ·
I agree Milorganite is a poor choice for the fall. It needs warm weather for the microbes to be active. Use it in the spring if you like. The Scott's with mesotrione is useful if you're seeding but pointless if you're not. The preemergent effect only lasts about a month.

@Stuofsci02 has pointed you to the most economical fertilizers. You could see if they're available. Urea is available at Home Depot, at least online. They are both fast release and the best way to use them is to put down 1/2 lb per 1000 sq ft of nitrogen every two weeks. Be sure to water them in. That may be more fertilization applications than you want to do. If you have low pH, use urea instead of ammonium sulfate. They probably come in 40 or 50 lb bags or boxes. That may be more weight than you want to deal with. I know the last time I put down lime, the bags were 40 lb and it was a struggle getting them in and out the car trunk and into the tool shed. There is also a 9 lb jug of urea at Home Depot. That jug gets you 4.14 lb of nitrogen. Two jugs per application would get you .41 lb per 1000 sq ft of nitrogen per application if you don't mind doing applications every two weeks. Set your spreader at a low setting and try to make at least two passes in perpendicular directions,