Which is better?

[Joey'sVee]

I'm about to fertilize here in Aiken, SC. I have Bermuda and I've been using the local Lesco store application guide for 2 years now and I love their stuff. My neighbors are wow'ed, lol!

I use the 0-0-7 w/ Dimension in Mid Feb.

Anyways, for the Mid April application I have always used the 25-2-5 (not sure if this has Dimension or Stonewall in it) but this time the guy at the local Lesco store said they had a new product, 19-0-7 (again not sure if this is Dimension or Stonewall) and he said it is better.

Which is better for this Mid April application? It seems like the 25-2-5 would be better since it has more nitrogen in it and I think it has Dimension in it. I know I've always heard Dimension was better than Stonewall....so is 19-0-7 better than the 25-2-5?

Thanks for your help! :D

[BostonBull]

did a soil test reveal you needed all that N?

[Joey'sVee]

I have not.

So which is better...thanks in advance for all the input.

[BostonBull]

Compost is best!

Do a soil test and see what nutrients (N P K and others) are lacking. The fertilize. No sense in dumping a bunch of nutrioents onto the soil/plant if they arent needed. Its like you needing 2,000 calories to live, but you eat 4,000 everyday. you will grow, but it might not be a desired growth.

[Joey'sVee]

Compost is best!

Do a soil test and see what nutrients (N P K and others) are lacking. The fertilize. No sense in dumping a bunch of nutrioents onto the soil/plant if they arent needed. Its like you needing 2,000 calories to live, but you eat 4,000 everyday. you will grow, but it might not be a desired growth.

Ok...thanks for being so helpful.

Anyone else care to answer the question...which is better? Do they both contain dimension?

[quiet]

Um, you're just a little off base here . . . not far off, but you're not getting help here either. Northern turf grasses have an entirely different set of needs than our grasses here in the South. And bermuda need N during the growing season . . . early and often.

First, the numbers on the bag have everything to do with the application RATE, but not the quality of the product or expected response. N is usually put down at a rate of 1 lb of NITROGEN per 1000 square feet. So whether you're putting down a 46-0-0, 25-2-5, or 19-0-7 or an organic 6-2-0, you adjust your rate to apply 1 lb of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft. That would be 2.17 lbs of product/per 1000 sf of 46-0-0, 4 lbs/M of 25-2-5, or 16.66 lbs/M of 6-2-0. You'll note on the bag the amount of coverage. It'll calculate out to 1 lb of NITROGEN per 1000 sq. ft.

So if the type of Nitrogen is identical in the two blends you mention, the turf's response should be identical. Calculate your cost per 1000 sq ft to deterimne which is the better value.

Stonewall vs. Dimension? (Prodiamine vs. Dithiopyr) They're both good. I think prodiamine lasts longer, does a better job on crab grass and a worse job on broadleaves. And rotating them is good, too. Don't over apply.

Check with your local county extension service for application timings and recommendations for your particular area. They vary from region to region.

[BostonBull]

Why no soil test?