Fertilizer ratios N-P-K

[ZYAL8R]

i just bought a ton of 15-15-15 fertilizer. 50 pound bags, which is forty bags. paid about $220, or 5.50 a bag. i figuerd it was a good price. was going to by 40-0-0 but i figured all that damn nitrogen would be pushing it. slip and oops, brown lawn. 40-0-0 was 180 a ton. and it was not slow release.<br> i figured a lot of my newer lawns have not got a does of fertilizer in some years and though the extra P and K would do some good..... was wondering if it could possibly do to much good? or what will it do?<br>thanks <br>travis

[yardsmith]

geez, can't believe you bought 2000 lbs. before you knew if it was what you needed or not!<br>15-15-15 is mainly for new plantings; flowers, shrubs, etc. & I use it sometimes for new lawns to perk up the soil. It has other uses also; check your resource materials to find out.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<p>

[Lanelle]

Hope you are a licensed applicator. <p>----------<br>Lanelle<br>

[lawrence stone]

There is no need to be a licensed applicator to apply fert in my state.<p>15-15-15 is a great product if your are<br>growing tomatoes.<p>The straight urea would have been a much better choice for lawn care. Can you exchange<br>the product for the 46-0-0?

[thelawnguy]

Since when does someone need a license for fertilizer?<p>Not the best mix for lawns. You will always be applying too much of one part, not enough of another. Maybe a local farmer would buy the load off you?<p>Bill

[Toroguy]

You could also blend the 15-15-15 with another ratio fertilizer. It would dilute your 15(3) but enhance your 6-1-2? Otherwise like the previous posts state put it in a garden or crop before planting.

[lawrence stone]

Good idea toro guy but maybe he could buy another ton of 46-0-0 and mix it with the<br>15-15-15 and then try to figure of the rate<br>of application at 1 lb of N per 1k sq ft.

[Lazer]

Different Lawns have different requirements.<p>If this is the only fertilizer you're using, it may not be the ideal choice, but the price is right and it is a balanced fertilizer.<p>I apply 5-8 tons of 19-19-19 per year, primarily on new lawns and underfed lawns to bring them up to a maintenance level.<br>

[ZYAL8R]

well some of it will be used for growing tomatoes, a little for some shrubs, and the rest will be mixed with 40-0-0 to boost the nitrogen and be put on the lawns. figured i would make it work for the price.<br>what will the extra P-K do to the lawns if i put down just the 15-15-15?? would there be enough N in this ration to green it up?<br>

[lawrence stone]

The easy way to solve you problem whould be to spread the 15-15-15 at 1/2 lb. of N per<br>1k sq ft then also apply 46-0-0 over the top<br>at 1/2 lb per N per 1k sq ft.<p>This combo at that rate will do the trick.

[ZYAL8R]

what should i charge?? should i charge by amount used/bags used, or by the hour plus materials?? $22 a bag?? 35 an hour plus materials? or more?

[ZYAL8R]

so what does everyone charge?

[Lazer]

$2-$8 per 1000 sq. ft./application.

[cjcland]

is scotts turf builder any good, if not what would be a better choice<p>----------<br>CJC Landscape Management<br>Winter Haven, Florida

[cantoo]

My dealer recomends 16-16-16 for the lawns in my area, they did the soil sampling for a property beside the one of the ones I am doing. The lawns have been maintained about the same, no fertilizer ever, old farm houses.

[MOW ED]

On the subject of what to charge, you have to check to see what your local market will bear. I have just started fertilizing this year and there is money to be made in it but you are competing against mega companies that give sweet dollar deals to joe homeowner. They are currently doing small lawns for 1.55 per 1k at 5 aps. They are applying liquid fert which in my opinion is good for a quick green up but isn't much for slow release N.<br>I charge $5.00 per 1k for granular fert at 3 to 5 times per year. I have 3 programs set with ap 1 being fert w/crabgrass perventer, 2,3,4 being different blends of N,P,K. for my area. I include spot weed treatments w/trimec. I was blown away by a survey of my mowing customers who have fertilizing done by mega companies. Some of them dont seem to care WHAT is put on their lawn as long as its not too expensive. Good luck.

[dbroome]

hey how about trying a soil test. you can have one done @ the extension agency for about 2 bucks. there is no way to tell what is needed without one. each plant material has different requirements also.

[ZYAL8R]

yeah, i've got one done and a few mroe to do