Best dry fertilizer that will give quick green-up

[lawnkid]

What is the best kind of dry fertilizer I can put down right after I make my first cut on all my accounts that will give it a quick green-up without too many weeds and overall rejuvenate the lawn after a hrash winter. Price is not too big of an issue too. Just wondering what you guys use.

[EJK2352]

Urea 46-0-0

[Hamons]

Be Careful!

You should not need to put any nitrogen down on the lawn that early in the Spring -- especially not straight Urea. This can be very detrimental to cool season grasses because of the resulting growth spurt. This growth spurt will deplenish the grasses reserves and leave it very susceptible to summer stress.

The K-State Turf department suggests no more that .25 - .5 N be applied in the spring for optimal growth of bluegrass and fescue lawns.

www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/MF2324.pdf is a great article on proper lawn fertilization.

This opinion is not based on theory alone. Have you ever seen a Chem-Lawn look beautiful in the early Spring and then be the first one to brown out in the summer? It is for this very reason.

[EJK2352]

Urea 46-0-0. It will cover 46,000 square feet at .5 N per K or 57,500 square feet at a .25 N per K. Quick green-up and economical. :) ;) :) ED

[Hamons]

You are leaving out a lot of important nutrients for your grass though.

Wouldn't a 19-0-19 be a better choice - since the Potassium would help promote root growth and stress tolerance. But you are right -- not as cheap!

[EJK2352]

19-0-19 will only cover 19,000 sq. ft at a .5 N per K rate or 27,000 at a .25 N per K rate. The potash might help a little w/ stress tolerance but will cost a lot more per K than 46-0-0 . You could put a more balanced fert down at your next round and help ready the grass for summer stress. :) ;) :) ED

[Hamons]

Price is not too big of an issue too. Just wondering what you guys use.

If we are not looking for the cheapest route though -- do you agree that a 1-0-1 fertilizer overall would be a better choice for the grass?

[EJK2352]

Yes, I agree. You might as well add some slow release N while your at it, say 50% and apply it at a .75-1 lb. per K rate to extend the greening. :) ;) :) ED

[timturf]

NO UREA
Jeff, your 19-0-19 used sulfate of potash, right!!

If properly fert in fall, wouldn't need much n in spring!

.25 to .5 n if quick release, and maybe .33 to .66 if min of 33% slow release.

2/3 of n in fall

Doing soil test, right!!!
Need more help, pm me

TIM

[Tony Harrell]

If you just want it to green up without top growth, try some iron. As has been said, proper fall/winter apps will get it going good in the spring.

[basic lawn]

Maybe I am not answering quesiton, but to be sure, I understand from reading more than that a water soluble at such high N % may cause leaching (an environmental issue), and at the same time may cause yard burn more easily than if mixed with slow realeaser fertilizer (cells get dehydrated).
Do you guys agree, disagree?

[KirbysLawn]

NO WAY. There is no way I would apply 46-0-0 on any lawn I maintain. Along with the above stated problems fungus could be a huge issue, growth would be a problem, and in my opinion it's a poor way to do it. Apply most of your N in the fall, some in spring and apply iron for a darker green. Try potash in fall after your starter and before winterizer for better color in the spring with better growth control.

[Runner]

By far, one of the worse things you can do. Sure, if you're looking for the "economic" way to go, go for it, if you think it'll really benefit your business. THIS, however, is whet will seperate the pros from the "Tru-Brown hum-drums". Personally, I go for the benefit of the turf, especially the long term. This is what true service is all about. If you want to put down JUNK like all the big green companies do, have at it, but watch your lawns decline, and watch your customer retention rate drop in direct porportion along with it. Please, if you're going to do this on your own, as a private, use this to your advantage and keep your personalized service a step above all the mass companies. Let's keep the "care" in lawn care.;)

[rkk95]

I don't know what you other guys think of iron, but I've experimented with it and at least in my area I see no advantage at all. 19-19-19 in my opinion would be a good product to put down especially if your in the same position as I am with the lawns looking bad from last years drought and the long cold winter, I would apply 19-19-19 and recommend that your customers spread some seed in any thin areas, or offer to spread the seed for them. Just my 2 cents.

[LakeSide Lawn and Landscape]

we use a 18-24-12 slow realesed.It realy gets it green along with some lime.Of course this is without a soil test so some things may work better with your situatin......P.S. kirbyslawn,you realy seem to know your stuff.e-mail me maybe we could get together and do some idea swapping...:D

[onemancrew]

Try this site, www.pbigordon.com. Look at a product called Ferromec ac it's a 15-0-0. I'v seen photos that were 50% greener in just 48hrs. Then there will be no worry of burning or any other damage. Hope this helps.

[KirbysLawn]

rkk95, I have no idea why you would not have good results with iron unless the rates were low. Most of my iron is cleated iron sprayed has awsome results, I also use 5-10-31 10% or a special order from LEsco that is 20% iron.

For lawns with low CEC's or those on organic programs I use Sustane, overall I like it the best. http://sustane.com/sustane.htm

[basic lawn]

While on the subject of iron, fortunately not by personal experience, but do not apply iron before a frost or your lawn will all turn BLACK!

[timturf]

Sustane products good, as is espoma, harmony,as are other high natural organic ferts.
Urea could be used, but I DON'T RECOMMEND! I would recommend a fert with a high % controled slow release, 50 to 75%, rate of n/m application would depend on source of controled slow release and % that is csrn!
Properly fall fert turf should greenup fine with necesarry soil temp at 3 inch depth!
Sulfate of potash will give greener turf than muriate!
Iron will green up turf, help with stress, and other things, but only 4 to 5 lbs / ACRE is needed!

[NBLL]

The only time I would fertilize is in the late fall. Too much nitrogen in the spring promotes too much top growth making it weak against drought and summer diseases. Iron is also a quick fix and lasts a short time. The only fertilizer I would use is the carrier for the pre-emergent. I use Dimension with 13-2-8. If you have to fertilize use only a slow release. Fertilization needs to be done in the late fall with high nitrogen which promotes root growth making the grass stronger and much healthier in the spring without a quick fix. Look out for the long term health of the turf. Do your homework and do it the right way. The grass will look better and you will have more pride in your work. Like Runner said this will separate you from some of the Tru-turf hackers. ;)

[timturf]

Originally posted by NBLL
The only time I would fertilize is in the late fall. Too much nitrogen in the spring promotes too much top growth making it weak against drought and summer diseases. Iron is also a quick fix and lasts a short time. The only fertilizer I would use is the carrier for the pre-emergent. I use Dimension with 13-2-8. If you have to fertilize use only a slow release. Fertilization needs to be done in the late fall with high nitrogen which promotes root growth making the grass stronger and much healthier in the spring without a quick fix. Look out for the long term health of the turf. Do your homework and do it the right way. The grass will look better and you will have more pride in your work. Like Runner said this will separate you from some of the Tru-turf hackers. ;)

pretty good explanation NBLL, but remember, majority of root growth in late winter! 2/3 n in fall, high % csrn in spring

[basic lawn]

That sounds very logical about fall. Also, what about that new customer that wants to have the not so great looking grass and would like to see some green in Spring, do we say "wait a season" or do we put 1/2 down in Spring and the othe 1/2 in the Fall? Just a practical aspect that I am curious about.

basic

[timturf]

Explain to customer that fall when we push cool season turf. This is when we build density. Spring is when we get turf ready for summer stress! start cleaning up weeds. Spring fert have high % csrn!!!

Look what happens when he starts reading a fert book!! Proud of you, Keep the studying up!!!