When fertilizers show the sq foot coverage of the product what do they calculate it based on? I know it's not Nitrogen at 1 lb per 1000 sq which in my opinion it should be. For example Sta-Green 18-24-6 in a 18 lb bag indicates it covers up to 5000 sq ft. To get 1 lb of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft you need 5.6 lbs which would be 28 lbs for 5000 sq ft. Even if it was Phosphorus you need 4.2 lbs for 1000 sq ft which would be 21 lbs for 5000 sq ft. Scotts Turf Builder Weed n Feed comes in a 42.87 lb bag and is supposed to cover 15000 sq ft but you would need 53.6 lbs to cover that much with 1 lb per 1000 sq ft. What gives? I will say most of the Lesco products I've seen are accurate although you have to read the label as one I saw was based on Phosphorus.
Kdog060
I think this is a good question... the liquid fert I'm using is the same way, 9 oz per thousand gets no where near 1 lb of N per thou.
Maybe it's got something to do with the # of doses the manufacturer is expecting the homeowner to apply in a given season? Eg the "Scotts 4 Step Plan"?
Maybe it's got something to do with the # of doses the manufacturer is expecting the homeowner to apply in a given season? Eg the "Scotts 4 Step Plan"?
Fertilizer bag rates are completely arbitrary, used as a starting point for those that need one. It can be used as a marketing gimmick as well though, for those that don't know better. That being said I'm sure they don't want to recommend a rate at which there are no visible results, so gleam what value you can out of that.
The pro products aren't any better since they seem to just do the math based on 1#N, which is all nice & dandy except that they don't account for the nuances of fertilizer release characteristics. A slow-release, long-duration, coated urea fert gets the same 1#N rate as the uncoated urea fert (for consistency?). They allow the applicator to make those decisions though, as they should. The 'organics' bag rates are even more perplexing since you can theoretically throw it down by the ton, yet the bag rates are at 0.5 - 0.75#N per app. I can't help but think that it's a $$ thing (1#N out of a 6-3-0 biosolid would run close to $10/1000! They would totally price themselves out of the market.
Personally I pay no attention to bag rates since it's akin to telling me how much sugar I'll need in my coffee. Maybe initially I'll use the recommended amount but once you know what you need/like, and how it reacts in your turf, you adjust accordingly. Oh, and the liquid rates you see there @johnklein25 are totally different since those are foliar apps with a lower carrier volume. You can always spray the 1#N rate (with lots of carrier) but that's when you go with the cheaper N sources.
The pro products aren't any better since they seem to just do the math based on 1#N, which is all nice & dandy except that they don't account for the nuances of fertilizer release characteristics. A slow-release, long-duration, coated urea fert gets the same 1#N rate as the uncoated urea fert (for consistency?). They allow the applicator to make those decisions though, as they should. The 'organics' bag rates are even more perplexing since you can theoretically throw it down by the ton, yet the bag rates are at 0.5 - 0.75#N per app. I can't help but think that it's a $$ thing (1#N out of a 6-3-0 biosolid would run close to $10/1000! They would totally price themselves out of the market.
Personally I pay no attention to bag rates since it's akin to telling me how much sugar I'll need in my coffee. Maybe initially I'll use the recommended amount but once you know what you need/like, and how it reacts in your turf, you adjust accordingly. Oh, and the liquid rates you see there @johnklein25 are totally different since those are foliar apps with a lower carrier volume. You can always spray the 1#N rate (with lots of carrier) but that's when you go with the cheaper N sources.
I dont think they are doing it based off 1 lb N in any scenario, in fact I think most fall short to prevent people from burning and to make you come back for more.
I just buy the biggest and cheapest bag with high N, I weigh out all the apps from there. I can get to 1 lb N from a bag that covers 15 k sqft on my 9 k sqft of area.
I just buy the biggest and cheapest bag with high N, I weigh out all the apps from there. I can get to 1 lb N from a bag that covers 15 k sqft on my 9 k sqft of area.
Yeah for ease of use I just use the Fertilizer Calculator on the Yard Mastery app to calculate how much I need. The only problem is it only calculates based on Nitrogen. There is a better one on Purdue's web site that you can use for any of the NPK ingredients.cleohioturf said:
https://turf.purdue.edu/fertilizer-calculator/
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