Northern Guys - what are you using for your late fall app?

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

I have kicked this around for several years now. What to use for the last fall (last) app. I use Milorganite on my own lawn and that works WONDERFUL but, cost is prohibitive to use for all of my customers.

Two trains of thought - use a fert high in slow release N in hopes that some of it carries over to spring

OR

Use a mostly or all mineral fert and have the turf utilize everything it can before freeze up. Screw the carryover effect in essence.

My thinking is toward the latter. Anyone use 46-0-0 100% UFLEXX for their fall app? Results?

[Smallaxe]

Definately want the fert used up before Winter sets in... I used 30-0-2 that has a little slow release but even that, should be gone by mid-Nov., applied at 1 pound/K...
All the winterizer is down now and Dormant Seeding with compost is the next step following cleanup...

I guess technically compost is a fert as well, but I don't think it forces Green Growth in the Spring which takes away from the stored energy reserves meant for roots, the same way SynFerts do...
Besides, it is applied only to the specific bare to thin areas of seeding...

[kaisermichaelj]

I'm using 32-0-10

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

kaiser, how much of the N is slow release?

[unit28]

On a drought stressed lawn I aplied 2lbs prk 15-0-40
urea, potassium chloride with soluble potash on dry.

Since it's an el nino season I suspect it'll be good with no winter snow insulation.

This past growing season I hit it with a total of 2 lbs N 26-0-3 2%fe and it was lush...until they stopped watering. Theyactually asked me to mow shorter as it was growing well. I told them sure but actually let it grow into 3 1/2 to 4" HOC.
Now we're getting moisture again with cold temps. Next week back to 70*.

[bx24]

Originally Posted by DA Quality Lawn & YS

I have kicked this around for several years now. What to use for the last fall (last) app. I use Milorganite on my own lawn and that works WONDERFUL but, cost is prohibitive to use for all of my customers.

Two trains of thought - use a fert high in slow release N in hopes that some of it carries over to spring

OR

Use a mostly or all mineral fert and have the turf utilize everything it can before freeze up. Screw the carryover effect in essence.

My thinking is toward the latter. Anyone use 46-0-0 100% UFLEXX for their fall app? Results?

I just applied 26-0-13 (last about 10 to 12 weeks) and will apply urea (not poly coated etc) after growth stops but still green (around thanksgiving time)...I do not use Lesco anymore since they prices suck.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

Originally Posted by bx24

I just applied 26-0-13 (last about 10 to 12 weeks) and will apply urea (not poly coated etc) after growth stops but still green (around thanksgiving time)...I do not use Lesco anymore since they prices suck.

Why apply straight urea around freeze up? Plants can't utilize it then and none of it will carry over to the following spring. Just curious is all.

[unit28]

Originally Posted by DA Quality Lawn & YS

Why apply straight urea around freeze up? Plants can't utilize it then and none of it will carry over to the following spring. Just curious is all.

el nino seasons prolly won't have much freeze up down there

yesterday was high 90's in DFW, not sure about Marfa TX, but still

We always mowed well into Dec and up to mid Jan. in E.N. seasons
Jan we had some dormacy but not enough to even warrant Gly apps in bermuda on grassy weeds

This is a fall/winter where they'll see plenty of precip and mild temps

[Smallaxe]

Originally Posted by DA Quality Lawn & YS

Why apply straight urea around freeze up? Plants can't utilize it then and none of it will carry over to the following spring. Just curious is all.

I agree... it is a totally irrational idea to put down N when the grass will not be able to use it AND the stuff really isn't available in cold soils anyways... also true of Spring apps, when the soil isn't yet warm enough for turf to break dormancy...

However, our U. Ext. agencies of Wisco continue to say that a "Winterizer" application is good around Thanksgiving time... I realize that they carry god-like wisdom and understand things in the universities that we can't begin to comprehend, but until they can explain "Why" and "How" they are just talking stupid, IMHO...

[Smallaxe]

There is hope of a real understanding of winterizer making sense...

http://turfdisease.osu.edu/turf-dise...-fertilization