Posted: 4/15/2015 8:03:24 PM EDT
|
So I had my soil analyzed after several years of neglecting my yards. My front yard I've found a good fertilizer that meets what the lab results sent back and I can already see some improvement. The back yard is going to be a bit more of a challenge. For reference I'm just fertilizing St. Augustine grass. The lab specifically stated that absolutely no phosphorus can be used. The levels were very high and they went so far as to say no phosphorus for the next 5 years. So with the results of the analysis, the type of fertilizer I need for the backyard comes down to something like 5-0-1, or some ratio similar to this, just absolutely no phosphorus. So I'm trying to find one that has a little bit of potassium, but it's a little difficult. Right I'm feeding it Ironite which isn't really a fertilizer, but has a rating of 1-0-1, until I can find something better. Should I just try to stick to a nitrogen only fertilizer? If so, any suggestions because most of the local Lowes/Home Depot places only stock nitrogen only stuff for things like a vegetable garden or growing flowers, so they only have it in 3 or 5 pound bags and the price is too high. I was looking on Amazon and saw nitrogen only stuff, rated at like 45-0-0, in 10 pound bags which was a decent price. Think I should just go for the Amazon stuff? |
|
Quoted:
So I had my soil analyzed after several years of neglecting my yards. My front yard I've found a good fertilizer that meets what the lab results sent back and I can already see some improvement. The back yard is going to be a bit more of a challenge. For reference I'm just fertilizing St. Augustine grass. The lab specifically stated that absolutely no phosphorus can be used. The levels were very high and they went so far as to say no phosphorus for the next 5 years. So with the results of the analysis, the type of fertilizer I need for the backyard comes down to something like 5-0-1, or some ratio similar to this, just absolutely no phosphorus. So I'm trying to find one that has a little bit of potassium, but it's a little difficult. Right I'm feeding it Ironite which isn't really a fertilizer, but has a rating of 1-0-1, until I can find something better. Should I just try to stick to a nitrogen only fertilizer? If so, any suggestions because most of the local Lowes/Home Depot places only stock nitrogen only stuff for things like a vegetable garden or growing flowers, so they only have it in 3 or 5 pound bags and the price is too high. I was looking on Amazon and saw nitrogen only stuff, rated at like 45-0-0, in 10 pound bags which was a decent price. Think I should just go for the Amazon stuff? in the northeast at least, 24-0-11 (N-P-K) is available just about everywhere. the stuff i use is made by a company called "The Andersons". http://andersonspro.com/lpc_access/process/__LPC_REDIRECT__/APT2412M5_spec.pdf?objectType=LwnProductSheet&attribute1=AndProdCode&value1=APT2412M5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andersons ar-jedi 
|
|
I think the last bag I bought at HD was 15-0-1 or 22-0-0.
The 22-0-0 was getting harder to find. Scott's tries to market the hell out of their special blends and charge out the ass for it. I just want the nitrogen, put it out lightly to minimize the run off. Treat again in a few weeks. We use liquid, professional grade, fertilizer at work. 16-3-16 is beautiful stuff for seedling production. |
|
Quoted:
So I had my soil analyzed after several years of neglecting my yards. My front yard I've found a good fertilizer that meets what the lab results sent back and I can already see some improvement. The back yard is going to be a bit more of a challenge. For reference I'm just fertilizing St. Augustine grass. The lab specifically stated that absolutely no phosphorus can be used. The levels were very high and they went so far as to say no phosphorus for the next 5 years. So with the results of the analysis, the type of fertilizer I need for the backyard comes down to something like 5-0-1, or some ratio similar to this, just absolutely no phosphorus. So I'm trying to find one that has a little bit of potassium, but it's a little difficult. Right I'm feeding it Ironite which isn't really a fertilizer, but has a rating of 1-0-1, until I can find something better. Should I just try to stick to a nitrogen only fertilizer? If so, any suggestions because most of the local Lowes/Home Depot places only stock nitrogen only stuff for things like a vegetable garden or growing flowers, so they only have it in 3 or 5 pound bags and the price is too high. I was looking on Amazon and saw nitrogen only stuff, rated at like 45-0-0, in 10 pound bags which was a decent price. Think I should just go for the Amazon stuff? Find an ag store...around here it's Southern States, but there are ag co-ops all over the south I'm guessing. Google "ag cooperatives" or "farm fertilizer" and see where, around you, has stuff for farmers. Then go there and tell them exactly what's happening. You should end up with a bag of nitrogen fertilizer, in a form that you can use. Get them to tell you how to spread it in the right amount so you don't burn anything. You will likely not find a fertilizer with only N and K, in the right percentages without the phosphate in the middle. So treat your nitrogen needs, then address your potassium need separately. Edited to say "likely" cuz I just realized..your region is really different from mine, and you might have different fertilizer blends available locally if the middle number is a common issue where you are. |
|
I've never seen ANYTHING like that here. I think that must be related to the local soils.. Interesting. |
|
Quoted:
Find an ag store...around here it's Southern States, but there are ag co-ops all over the south I'm guessing. Google "ag cooperatives" or "farm fertilizer" and see where, around you, has stuff for farmers. Then go there and tell them exactly what's happening. You should end up with a bag of nitrogen fertilizer, in a form that you can use. Get them to tell you how to spread it in the right amount so you don't burn anything. You will likely not find a fertilizer with only N and K, in the right percentages without the phosphate in the middle. So treat your nitrogen needs, then address your potassium need separately. Edited to say "likely" cuz I just realized..your region is really different from mine, and you might have different fertilizer blends available locally if the middle number is a common issue where you are. Quoted:
Quoted:
So I had my soil analyzed after several years of neglecting my yards. My front yard I've found a good fertilizer that meets what the lab results sent back and I can already see some improvement. The back yard is going to be a bit more of a challenge. For reference I'm just fertilizing St. Augustine grass. The lab specifically stated that absolutely no phosphorus can be used. The levels were very high and they went so far as to say no phosphorus for the next 5 years. So with the results of the analysis, the type of fertilizer I need for the backyard comes down to something like 5-0-1, or some ratio similar to this, just absolutely no phosphorus. So I'm trying to find one that has a little bit of potassium, but it's a little difficult. Right I'm feeding it Ironite which isn't really a fertilizer, but has a rating of 1-0-1, until I can find something better. Should I just try to stick to a nitrogen only fertilizer? If so, any suggestions because most of the local Lowes/Home Depot places only stock nitrogen only stuff for things like a vegetable garden or growing flowers, so they only have it in 3 or 5 pound bags and the price is too high. I was looking on Amazon and saw nitrogen only stuff, rated at like 45-0-0, in 10 pound bags which was a decent price. Think I should just go for the Amazon stuff? Find an ag store...around here it's Southern States, but there are ag co-ops all over the south I'm guessing. Google "ag cooperatives" or "farm fertilizer" and see where, around you, has stuff for farmers. Then go there and tell them exactly what's happening. You should end up with a bag of nitrogen fertilizer, in a form that you can use. Get them to tell you how to spread it in the right amount so you don't burn anything. You will likely not find a fertilizer with only N and K, in the right percentages without the phosphate in the middle. So treat your nitrogen needs, then address your potassium need separately. Edited to say "likely" cuz I just realized..your region is really different from mine, and you might have different fertilizer blends available locally if the middle number is a common issue where you are. You need a farm coop like Texas Smooth mentioned. They will have what you need and depending on the size of your yard they could even custom mix it for you if your quantities are high enough. Grove |
|
How about Ringer Lawn Restore from Saferbrands. The analysis is 10-0-6. You could cut the amount spread if wanted. It is o.k. on St Augustine grass.
You should be able to find it locally. If not you can buy it direct from Ringer Lawn Restore. The unit price from the manufacturer is comparable to what I've found local especially if you buy the "3 pack." Shipping is also "free" on $50 or more. |
|
Ok, I'm going to have to go back to Home Depot and check out the Vigoro brands again because I think my local one may have one similar to what Feral posted. I obviously didn't check well enough last time. Aside from that, some of the other brands posted here I've never heard of, but I'll still check into urea only stuff also. I'm not really a lawn or gardening expert and this is the first time I've had the soil tested after I got tired of buying all the bullshit marketed by Scotts and never really knowing what I needed. I'm hoping that by the time summer is over this year my lawn will be in much better shape. |
|
Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable.
If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. |
|
Quoted:
Ok, I'm going to have to go back to Home Depot and check out the Vigoro brands again because I think my local one may have one similar to what Feral posted. I obviously didn't check well enough last time. Aside from that, some of the other brands posted here I've never heard of, but I'll still check into urea only stuff also. I'm not really a lawn or gardening expert and this is the first time I've had the soil tested after I got tired of buying all the bullshit marketed by Scotts and never really knowing what I needed. I'm hoping that by the time summer is over this year my lawn will be in much better shape. Quoted:
Ok, I'm going to have to go back to Home Depot and check out the Vigoro brands again because I think my local one may have one similar to what Feral posted. I obviously didn't check well enough last time. Aside from that, some of the other brands posted here I've never heard of, but I'll still check into urea only stuff also. I'm not really a lawn or gardening expert and this is the first time I've had the soil tested after I got tired of buying all the bullshit marketed by Scotts and never really knowing what I needed. I'm hoping that by the time summer is over this year my lawn will be in much better shape. in general, you don't want a urea-only product on turfgrass. given high N, the grass will exhibit rapid, short term topside growth and in the case of most turfgrasses that can result in actually weakening the plant against drought. the topside growth rate (the green part) is not matched by root growth, and during the summer when it gets hot with little rain, the turfgrass will suffer. for this reason, most high N turgrass fertilizer products are "buffered" -- the nitrogen-containing granules are encapsulated chemically such that they take quite a bit of time to become fully soluble. this type of product you will see advertised as "slow release nitrogen" fertilizer. the Anderson's 24-0-11 product i posted above is one such type. the net equivalent of using such a product is that a little bit of nitrogen is released over the course of about two months, sort of "spoon feeding" the turfgrass the N over time, versus dumping all the N on at once. if the following equivalent slow-release nitrogen product is available at your local HD, you may want to try it: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-50-lbs-24-0-11-Fertilizer-080258/202310769 PRODUCT OVERVIEW Model # 080258 Internet # 202310769 Store SKU # 585462 Excellent general purpose fertilizer. High potassium improves drought tolerance, heat and disease resistance. Covers 12000 sq . ft. High potassium improves drought tolerance, heat and disease resistance Includes iron and other minor nutrients for a deep green turf Exclusive slow release formula feeds lawn up to ten weeks ar-jedi 
|
|
Quoted: Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable. If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? |
|
Quoted:
Ok, I'm going to have to go back to Home Depot and check out the Vigoro brands again because I think my local one may have one similar to what Feral posted. I obviously didn't check well enough last time. Aside from that, some of the other brands posted here I've never heard of, but I'll still check into urea only stuff also. I'm not really a lawn or gardening expert and this is the first time I've had the soil tested after I got tired of buying all the bullshit marketed by Scotts and never really knowing what I needed. I'm hoping that by the time summer is over this year my lawn will be in much better shape. Really, Scotts is not bullshit. You're just paying for all that advertising they do, and for the "problem solved in advance" sold in the bag. Their products are good, and they DO specialize in EXACTLY what you are wanting...beautiful lawns. Most people don't want to soil test and figure out what to do about the results. You have done that. But now you face the difficulty of figuring out how to solve the fertility problem, which is never simple. If you dump Scotts on your lawn, you will also solve that. You will just maybe add extra stuff you don't need, and you will pay a premium price for a recognized brand, and for not having to spend the time studying. But...like taking your car to the dealer for service, and having it returned to you washed, fixed, and smelling good...when you pay for Scotts, you get a "don't have to think much" decent result. For a lot of people, that time saved is worth the money. Understanding fundamental plant nutrient needs (and there are WAY more than three) and how to meet them with prepared fertilizers is a couple of university classes. Not saying it has to be that complicated, but I do think it's important to give credit where it is due. Scotts--and other "spread it and forget it" companies are filling a gap and doing it well. |
|
Quoted:
Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? Quoted:
Quoted:
Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable. If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? you are over-thinking this. 
either one of the products you note will work OK. ar-jedi |
|
Quoted:
Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? Quoted:
Quoted:
Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable. If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? You may hate me... But if I were you, I would go with the lighter version. I would even more likely apply a "paler" version of the mix, and do it twice. Even with a fertilizer blend, I am really careful with nitrogen, and I know what I'm doing. If you have the time, you will be far better off. Partly because you can see what your lawn does with it, and follow up appropriately. But MOSTLY because nitrogen leaches out of soil like crazy. So applying too much, too fast is a waste of money. Somebody in the thread mentioned a coated fertilizer. This is the equivalent of a timed release, because the fertilizer releases gradually into the growth zone where it is available to the plants. You can achieve the same sort of effect without paying for the company to coat each fertilizer granule. But the way you do that is by putting it on as a lighter treatment in increments...letting it get absorbed, then adding it again. Lots of info out there about this. And you may not want to do it. But just thought I'd throw that in. Edited to say...I don't mean to insinuate that you will burn your lawn with either of those. You won't. |
|
Quoted:
you are over-thinking this.
either one of the products you note will work OK. ar-jedi Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable. If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? you are over-thinking this.
either one of the products you note will work OK. ar-jedi ar-jedi is right about either of the products working. But I don't agree that you are overthinking. You're paying for the fertilizer and dumping it on the ground. You want maximum benefit for minimum price and work. Makes sense to learn all you can if you want to do this manually and actually understand what you are doing. |
|
Quoted:
Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? Quoted:
Quoted:
Put on a fertilizer with phosphorous. All soils test really high in phosphorous but in reality the soil ties it up and makes it unavailable. If you don't believe me have a paste extraction done and you will see you are probably low in plant available phosphorus. Uh no. I had my back yard and front yard tested separately. The front yard needs phosphorus, back yard does not. Back yard currently has 3 times...yes, triple....the amount of needed phosphorus. I did check and the Lesco fertilizer is available my local HD. However I'm now a little concerned. The Lesco is 24-0-11, the Vigoro brand is about 29-0-3. Based on the results of the soil analysis and plugging them into a calculator, remember it spit back an ideal fertilizer of 5-0-1, so if I scale it up to 25, it'd be something like 25-0-5. Based on this ratio, wouldn't the Vigoro be better? Wouldn't the Lesco be giving me more potassium than the lawn needs? Your way over thinking it. Also, have a paste extraction done. Your available phosphorus is no where near three years worth. Just buy the blend that you chose for your front yard and use it in the back too. Trust me, you won't overdo it on phosphorus. |
