which fertilizer?

[golfturf]

Hey guys. Wanted some advice. In my first year of operation so I have been having many Q's.

For this round of applications I was going to put down Lesco 24-0-11 50% slow release w/2%Fe. I could spend $2 more/bag and get an 18-0-18 50% slow release, but w/4%Fe. Or I could go $2 cheaper than the 24-0-11 and go with an 18-0-3 40% slow release w/2%Fe.

Would 2% more Fe even matter so much as far as extra green up?

I'm only putting down a target of 1/2 lb N/1000 this round anyways.

What's your guys thoughts? What product do you all put down this round? Anything better?

Thanks for the help. Love this forum!

[Young Bros]

This time of year you dont need a lot of N. I would do a soil test. If you are lacking K then put down 18-0-18, if soil is ok then use 18-0-3. 2% is enough Fe. Save the 24-0-11 for summer time. This time of year we put down 13-0-5 .1% dimension in the sun at 4lbs/m. In the shade around the lakes we use 18-0-18. Away from the lake in the shade we use 24-5-11 at 3lbs/m or 32-5-7 at 2lbs/m.

[Ric]

Golfturf

Passing up all the WHAT DOES YOU SOIL TEST SAY? Questions and what is the total label of your blend etc. IMHO the 18-0-18 is a better choice because of more Potassium. The additional 4% Iron might not green as much as the 2% only because of the formulation of the Iron and what is with it. Ammonium Sulfate as the Nitrogen source with less Iron should give a deeper and faster green up than Urea with higher Iron. Which Potassium is used in the blend will also make a big difference. Fertilizer is a lot more than just 3 numbers. I am a strong believer in lots of Potassium even if it doesn't show a visible response. 46-0-0 will give you as much good as Scotts 32-2-3 blends which IMHO is pure ripoff. The question is, do you want a lot of top growth for SHOW or are you trying to develop a Healthy turf that can with stand Disease and Drought. My standard blend is a 1 to 1 N to K ratio and in the summer months of Rainy Season I go 1 to 3 N to K Ratio.

[Young Bros]

Soil tests are important. You dont want to be a cookie cutter lawn comapny. The Lesco products I use have the same Fe and K in them.

[RigglePLC]

You are probably on high-acid red clay. You probably do not need the iron, if soil is below pH 7.5. Slow release is better as it does not leach or wash out in the rain. Use potash according to your average soil test. Potash is usually water soluble--so it disappears quickly. What type of grass? KBG? Fescue? Bermuda? Zoysia? Centipede?StAug? You may need to carry more than one kind of fertilizer.