"Spread It and Forget It" - One Application Fertilizer

PicturePerfectLawns · Oct 17, 2015

I spoke to a sales rep yesterday about this product. He did mention it was temperature dependent, release is over a complete 6-month growing season. He went over test and experiments with me, and went on to tell me in my zone, this product would last 4 months, in Texas due to the temperatures. I've seen many threads on here with people that had wonderful results with it.

After running some numbers, my cost is $53.00 per bag, or $45.00 per bag pallet pricing. My largest neighborhood lots would take 32 lbs to apply at 2.25 lbs of nitrogen per application. For a total of 64 lbs of product total per year. My fertilizer cost on these properties would range from $40.00-$60.00 per year.

Not to mention, with the super controlled slow release, I feel this would help us combat some of the turf diseases we fight in Texas, especially all the brown patch we see on St. Augustine.

One Spring App with Aeration.
One Late Summer App with Aeration.

Anyone care to share their thoughts?

turfmd101 · Oct 17, 2015

Any chance you can post a label?
Posted via Mobile Device

ToddH · Oct 17, 2015

I would apply 2 weeks after initial green up or after two necessary mowing. Late April or Early May This will get you through August, Just in time to apply for fall.

turfmd101 · Oct 17, 2015

ToddH, gives good advice. In central Florida. Turf usually looks its best mid April and May. Then the summer crash hits. All lawns programmed or not look almost identical April and May. If anything I would add ( not take away) to Todd's advice is up to the end of may unless spring is short and we jump right to summer.
Posted via Mobile Device

lush&green · Oct 17, 2015

We apply at the 8.5lb per k rate and my customers love the results throughout the season. Can't speak for the southern zones just northeast... The labor savings is huge not having to spread the other visits..

ToddH · Oct 17, 2015

turfmd101 said:
ToddH, gives good advice. In central Florida. Turf usually looks its best mid April and May. Then the summer crash hits. All lawns programmed or not look almost identical April and May. If anything I would add ( not take away) to Todd's advice is up to the end of may unless spring is short and we jump right to summer.
Posted via Mobile Device

I can live with the end of May too. Problem is these things are tested at 75 Degrees (+/_) 5 and they dump much faster for each 10 degree rise.

You very well could have a serious flushing if applying 2.5 of N near June / July if put out too late that heavy. 1.5 pounds would be safer if applied later.

grassmasterswilson · Oct 17, 2015

I've not seen any labels or seen any around here.

Could work but wonder if it would save any time in the long run? Apply a very heavy amount early and the spot spray the rest of the year?

We apply 3 times a year currently and since I'm spot spraying I still use the ride on.

I wish I had the time and connections to get products and test them. Hopefully at some point I can have or find a place where I can sod some areas. I just need all the turf types and that will get tedious.
Posted via Mobile Device

Nunyabisnes · Oct 17, 2015

With it releasing faster as the temperatures rise, it probably wouldn't be that good down here. We were above 90 for something like 5 or 6 months. We didn't have a spring to speak of, it went right into summer. I think it would break down to fast if it's based on temperature.
Posted via Mobile Device

jlbf0786 · Oct 18, 2015

grassmasterswilson said:
I've not seen any labels or seen any around here.

Could work but wonder if it would save any time in the long run? Apply a very heavy amount early and the spot spray the rest of the year?

We apply 3 times a year currently and since I'm spot spraying I still use the ride on.

I wish I had the time and connections to get products and test them. Hopefully at some point I can have or find a place where I can sod some areas. I just need all the turf types and that will get tedious.
Posted via Mobile Device

That's because it's not available anywhere in our area; I've looked for this for years now (off and on) and haven't seen it anywhere.
You can order / drop shipped pallets to a freight location if you call the company and pre-pay, this is what i was told when i called asking for local distributor locations..

To me, it looked like the next big thing but there's got to be a reason it hasn't taken off in the NC area; still.. i'd love to try it on a few test lawns.

foreplease · Oct 18, 2015

Chances are good that everyone posting in this thread is making good even applications. It's good to remember that uneven applications with long lasting materials will really tell on anybody who is not careful. I use a lot of MESA fertilizer, which I really like, and am always mindful of good coverage.

PicturePerfectLawns · Oct 18, 2015

With the above mentioned, I wouldn't mind testing it out in the South, at the same time I don't want to be a crash dummy, nor waste my time or money. I was hoping someone in the south with experience using it would chime in. Either way I plan on doing some experimenting in this upcoming year, it's either going to be experimenting at an extensive cost or the cheap cost. I consider the "Spread it and forget it" the expensive experiment and my local ag farm the cheap experiment. I can get fertilizer for around $375.00 per ton at the local ag, with sulfur coating. Or I can go the $1900.00 a pallet option with the "One App". Which one will be the best option for preventing brown patch is the big question for me. If I were to guess the outcome, both would turn the grass green. But the real question is which one will slow turf grass disease, our real problem with St. Augustine in the south. The super slow release? Or the sulfur blended fertilizer?

ToddH · Oct 18, 2015

PicturePerfectLawns said:
With the above mentioned, I wouldn't mind testing it out in the South, at the same time I don't want to be a crash dummy, nor waste my time or money. I was hoping someone in the south with experience using it would chime in. Either way I plan on doing some experimenting in this upcoming year, it's either going to be experimenting at an extensive cost or the cheap cost. I consider the "Spread it and forget it" the expensive experiment and my local ag farm the cheap experiment. I can get fertilizer for around $375.00 per ton at the local ag, with sulfur coating. Or I can go the $1900.00 a pallet option with the "One App". Which one will be the best option for preventing brown patch is the big question for me. If I were to guess the outcome, both would turn the grass green. But the real question is which one will slow turf grass disease, our real problem with St. Augustine in the south. The super slow release? Or the sulfur blended fertilizer?

The SCU is popular because it is not temp released and often our heavy clay is alkaline. The Sulfur helps. If the coating is broken in handling or by mowers, it is quick release.

You can always do a regular fert in July

The polymer coating is more often used in potted plants because of cost. Again a heavy rain/irrigation followed by high temps can cause then to dump.

I think a better strat is like I said, apply 1.5 ~ 2 N two weeks after flush and hope you make it to July. Repeat once we get below 90

oqueoque · Oct 18, 2015

Does this come with pre-emergent crabgrass control? And if so,how long does it last? Any insect control? I did not see this, when I searched.

turfmd101 · Oct 18, 2015

Question, what is the concern with N? I ask because when I was a Lesco / JDL associate. I sold different fertilizer products to two types of applicators. Lawn tech's and homeowners. Lawn tech's would buy the mecha. 46-0-0, 21-0-0, 24-2-11,Iron sulfate,Techmag, 12-0-0 chealeated iron, 0-0-62, 0-0-20, K -mag 0-0-22, 15-2-15, 33-0-17, 16-4-8 and occasional 9-2-24. Homeowners I sold 9-2-24 or 0-0-62 occasionally 15-2-15. Lawn tech's would mix it up between liquid apps and granular. I steered homeowners to 90% 9-2-24.

What I observed was when I tried to talk to tech's about all their issues and how thay could be avoided the usual response was. "Man I've been doing this so long. I dont need your advice." Unless they had serious pest issues. I don't mean just bugs.
Homeowners were coming in to learn what to do, needed advice to settle some issues and listen carefully. They accepted 9-0-24. They also usually had issues too.
I steered them away from N. They understood why after conversation.

The results; tech's would buy throughout the course of the year the full mecha of pesticides. Insecticide, weed control, fungicides. Homeowners were able to avoid them entirely. Only to purchase fert. Why was this?

What I observed was tech's had chips on their shoulders because they got the license. Homeowners were eager to understand how to solve their issues. My conversation with homeowners was about proper cultural practices and they got it.
I had tailored a specific talk to get the truth understood. I often herd. "I never heard it that way before." I completely get it. It was 3 issues. Irrigation, mowing and nutritional needs for specific reasons.

The point is tech's would visit me every day with a list of purchases and problems they were going after. Homeowners who became regulars came in saying. Everything looks perfect. Best on my street and I just want to keep it that way. Its unbelievable. I never thought my lawn could be so green and strong. True story.... 14 years of it.

Now my question is. What is the opinions on the difference between techs and homeowners results.
Posted via Mobile Device

tobylou8 · Oct 18, 2015

This may work in some situations but it is the great outdoors with no guarantees. It kinda reminds me of the PGR "euphoria" a while back when you could spray grass and not have to cut it. That hasn't panned out. Then there's the buffalo grass "euphoria" of a another few years ago, again, so as not to cut as much. Doesn't grow here at all, too humid. AM I going to trust my business to a one app product that has temperature variables? Nope. While the maker sings it's praises, it's the end user that has to deal with efficacy issues. Oh, it's not available around here either (probably for a reason).

ToddH · Oct 18, 2015

turfmd101 said:
Question, what is the concern with N? I ask because when I was a Lesco / JDL associate. I sold different fertilizer products to two types of applicators. Lawn tech's and homeowners. Lawn tech's would buy the mecha. 46-0-0, 21-0-0, 24-2-11,Iron sulfate,Techmag, 12-0-0 chealeated iron, 0-0-62, 0-0-20, K -mag 0-0-22, 15-2-15, 33-0-17, 16-4-8 and occasional 9-2-24. Homeowners I sold 9-2-24 or 0-0-62 occasionally 15-2-15. Lawn tech's would mix it up between liquid apps and granular. I steered homeowners to 90% 9-2-24.

What I observed was when I tried to talk to tech's about all their issues and how thay could be avoided the usual response was. "Man I've been doing this so long. I dont need your advice." Unless they had serious pest issues. I don't mean just bugs.
Homeowners were coming in to learn what to do, needed advice to settle some issues and listen carefully. They accepted 9-0-24. They also usually had issues too.
I steered them away from N. They understood why after conversation.

The results; tech's would buy throughout the course of the year the full mecha of pesticides. Insecticide, weed control, fungicides. Homeowners were able to avoid them entirely. Only to purchase fert. Why was this?

What I observed was tech's had chips on their shoulders because they got the license. Homeowners were eager to understand how to solve their issues. My conversation with homeowners was about proper cultural practices and they got it.
I had tailored a specific talk to get the truth understood. I often herd. "I never heard it that way before." I completely get it. It was 3 issues. Irrigation, mowing and nutritional needs for specific reasons.

The point is tech's would visit me every day with a list of purchases and problems they were going after. Homeowners who became regulars came in saying. Everything looks perfect. Best on my street and I just want to keep it that way. Its unbelievable. I never thought my lawn could be so green and strong. True story.... 14 years of it.

Now my question is. What is the opinions on the difference between techs and homeowners results.
Posted via Mobile Device

HO often over apply too so selling lower N has some merit.

Never once did you mention a soil test :waving:

I have no problem listening to vendors.
I also spend a lot of time listening to Aggies.

greendoctor · Oct 18, 2015

I pay the most attention to the agronomist providing the interpretation and recommendations for the soil test results. If anything we have a good two way conversation concerning what the grass needs. No frustration on his part because it is understood that I do not use pre blended granules at all. He tears his hair out dealing with people that only apply dry.

Turfmd don't hate me. As your customer, I would want 21-0-0, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, iron, manganese, zinc, MKP, and greenhouse grade 20-20-20. I do not have much use for low nitrogen granules. Overdoing potassium gets me into all kinds of trouble on soils that retain salts.

turfmd101 · Oct 18, 2015

Todd, thanks for responding. I agree HO 's do over apply, so do most tech's. St. Aug only requires 2 to 3 lb annually. Ask the UofF. Once a turf stand has proper density you're good on supplemental N. The grass is growing without it. That's why all lawns are cut weekly. Fertilized or not. There are more lawns being mowed by far than the amount of lawns being fertilized and mowed. You just don't have the abundance of growth allowing for a closer to the 1/3 rule which also never happens in either scenario. Grass grows plain and simple. If the fertilization industry ceased. Cutters would remain employed weekly. There are many elements providing the chlorophyll
Molecule. N is on the list of many. I also calibrate the HO's spreader of choice to minimize over application. Weeds need three factors to emerge. The seed, the moisture and the sunlight. Without the water and the sunlight the seed has no chance.
Soil moisture is somewhat controllable with proper irrigation management. But that gets defeated by excess rain. No sunlight from healthy density defeats that. The triangle crumbles and the seed has no chance. My HO's experienced excess drought and rain and were able to defeat both scenarios. CF soil sand is known for extremely low K. Over application of K annually was hard to do. It depletes rapidly and the sand disallows for salt build up.

As for soil sampling. I reviewed an average of 12 to 14 weekly for 20 years. The variances were less than 2%. Below adequate K, surpluses in P and pH minimal of 5.9 to a high of 7.8. Nothing ever suggested a pH issue. Just take at a look at the pH nutrient availability chart. I'm an agronomist first a horticulturalist second and a vendor last. To me the first two allowed the third.

GreenDoc, I can not hate or dislike someone I hold in high respect. I would not challenge you for I do not know your geography. We all suffer similar environmental havoc but the geography dictates effects from it. If I moved to Hawaii I would have alot to learn (geographically) but would be up to pace quickly. I also believe my basics of agronomy easily blend with yours. Salt retention is not an issue for us. It is noted that during extreme droughts in CF that applications of K biweekly to relieve stress is successful because the turf sufferers minimal drought damage. The fact is more salt in the soil then in the roots will cause turf to dehydrate. Our turf only dehydrates when
the soil dries below the root system or the roots are so dessicated their normal function is prohibited.

I will add, my HO customers were over 10 year on program and never suffered the environmental chaos which can occur. But my tech's would throw everything in the book they could. The HO's were on cruise control. Many maintaining yard of the month consecutively and the envy of their neighborhood. With minimal effort. A student is only as good as his / her teacher...
Posted via Mobile Device

tobylou8 · Oct 18, 2015

turfmd101 said:
Question, what is the concern with N? I ask because when I was a Lesco / JDL associate. I sold different fertilizer products to two types of applicators. Lawn tech's and homeowners. Lawn tech's would buy the mecha. 46-0-0, 21-0-0, 24-2-11,Iron sulfate,Techmag, 12-0-0 chealeated iron, 0-0-62, 0-0-20, K -mag 0-0-22, 15-2-15, 33-0-17, 16-4-8 and occasional 9-2-24. Homeowners I sold 9-2-24 or 0-0-62 occasionally 15-2-15. Lawn tech's would mix it up between liquid apps and granular. I steered homeowners to 90% 9-2-24.

What I observed was when I tried to talk to tech's about all their issues and how thay could be avoided the usual response was. "Man I've been doing this so long. I dont need your advice." Unless they had serious pest issues. I don't mean just bugs.
Homeowners were coming in to learn what to do, needed advice to settle some issues and listen carefully. They accepted 9-0-24. They also usually had issues too.
I steered them away from N. They understood why after conversation.

The results; tech's would buy throughout the course of the year the full mecha of pesticides. Insecticide, weed control, fungicides. Homeowners were able to avoid them entirely. Only to purchase fert. Why was this?

What I observed was tech's had chips on their shoulders because they got the license. Homeowners were eager to understand how to solve their issues. My conversation with homeowners was about proper cultural practices and they got it.
I had tailored a specific talk to get the truth understood. I often herd. "I never heard it that way before." I completely get it. It was 3 issues. Irrigation, mowing and nutritional needs for specific reasons.

The point is tech's would visit me every day with a list of purchases and problems they were going after. Homeowners who became regulars came in saying. Everything looks perfect. Best on my street and I just want to keep it that way. Its unbelievable. I never thought my lawn could be so green and strong. True story.... 14 years of it.

Now my question is. What is the opinions on the difference between techs and homeowners results.
Posted via Mobile Device

Tech's livelihood is in apps which is fine with me. It's good for my business. I can't tell you how many accounts I've acquired through the years because of Techs having to push services for themselves or their companies. Folks ask me, "Do I have to do _____?" Most of the time the answer is no. Sometimes it's yes, but not often. I can also take the time to explain what's going on because I'm not a slave to a "25 a day" spray schedule.

1977212 · Oct 18, 2015

ToddH said:
HO often over apply too so selling lower N has some merit.

Never once did you mention a soil test :waving:

I have no problem listening to vendors.
I also spend a lot of time listening to Aggies.

Exactly, a soil test does wonders. I bet nobody here does them because they know what's best! Every lawn area is different.

"Spread It and Forget It" - One Application Fertilizer

PicturePerfectLawns

turfmd101

ToddH

turfmd101

lush&green

ToddH

grassmasterswilson

Nunyabisnes

jlbf0786

foreplease

PicturePerfectLawns

ToddH

oqueoque

turfmd101

tobylou8

ToddH

greendoctor

turfmd101

tobylou8

1977212

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities