Fall Nitrogen Regimens

[PW405]

Average first frost date has arrived, and in typical OK fashion, it was almost 80° yesterday and I got sunburned after working in the yard for 5 hours. No freezing temps forecast in the 7 day. I request The Wizard's opinion: I was late to starting the Fall N Regimen because I was waiting for Sprout n' Pout to be finished on TTTF. Between the Milo I used for my soil remediation plan micronutrient vehicle and weekly urea apps, I'm currently sitting at a grand total of 2.9lbs of N per Kft. (First milo application was 10/9.) Do you think this is a sufficient amount of N to stop weekly apps until it is time for winterizer?

[andy10917]

My brain hurts from trying to figure what you've done since Labor Day, and whether you're trying to do Standard or Aggressive stuff. Clue me in.

[RichS]

Both documents I linked to above also say 1/4"

[PW405]

My brain hurts from trying to figure what you've done since Labor Day, and whether you're trying to do Standard or Aggressive stuff. Clue me in.

Aggressive... but started with a Milo application due to using it as a vehicle to apply the micronutrients per soil test recommendations. Using instant release 46% urea for all other N. (I guess it actually adds up to 3.15lb N/k).

Since Labor Day:

Sept 19 - Drop seed (TTTF)
Oct 9 - Milo + MicroNutrient mixture (Copper/Manganese/Boron). (~Half bag Milo, supplied .35lb/N)
Oct 14 - 2lb/K SOP
Oct 14 - ~.3lb N/k (lighter due to recent Milo)
Oct 21 - 0.5lb N/k
Oct 28 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 4 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 11 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 11 - 2lb/k SOP
Nov 17 - 0.5lb N/k

[andy10917]

Yeah, if you've got that much down and you've hit the average first frost date, then go to The Pause and watch for growth to completely stop. That's the moment to hit with the full 1.0 lb/K Nitrogen.

[Green]

Since Labor Day:

Sept 19 - Drop seed (TTTF)
Oct 9 - Milo + MicroNutrient mixture (Copper/Manganese/Boron). (~Half bag Milo, supplied .35lb/N)
Oct 14 - 2lb/K SOP
Oct 14 - ~.3lb N/k (lighter due to recent Milo)
Oct 21 - 0.5lb N/k
Oct 28 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 4 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 11 - 0.5lb N/k
Nov 11 - 2lb/k SOP
Nov 17 - 0.5lb N/k

Nice long Fall season! Here, we only get the opportunity for about 4-5 weekly N applications in the Fall. And some places, even less.

[northeastlawn]

We have a decent rain coming tomorrow and I passed the lawn mower over the lawn and didn't see much of anything. A few small clippings here and there, but I really had to look.

I think I am going for it, the only thing that makes me hesitate is warm weather here on Saturday in the 60's, but its one day of warm, and many cold nights in-between that.

[andy10917]

I wouldn't delay due to one or two day weather exceptions. It's too easy to see the opportunity (only 2-3 week window) slip away, and wind up with a "coulda/shoulda" miss.

[LouisvilleGrubber]

We have a decent rain coming tomorrow and I passed the lawn mower over the lawn and didn't see much of anything. A few small clippings here and there, but I really had to look.

I think I am going for it, the only thing that makes me hesitate is warm weather here on Saturday in the 60's, but its one day of warm, and many cold nights in-between that.

In addition to what Andy said don't underestimate the role shorter days has on growth. Here in Kentucky we often see temps in the 70s or even 80s in late October into November (not this year), but the grass growth slows way down as the days get shorter. In addition to that even if the high temps are warmer there is generally quite a cool down during the long nights.

[northeastlawn]

I got it down, actually just put it out with the Whizzer. It was nice not dragging the spreader out for such a small amount.

Just have to wait for it to rain overnight now. I should have also put down a 2nd app of pre-m just incase, but I noticed a bunch of newish looking grass I bet is already POA, that will have to wait for the spring.

[Green]

No rain predicted in my area's 2-week forecast from Thursday forward...huh.

[northeastlawn]

You had me scared for a minute....

https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/u ... alwx_10day

Maybe its not hitting CT....

[lVlrBoJang1es]

No rain predicted in my area's 2-week forecast from Thursday forward...huh.

Same in my case.

I searched the garage last night to make sure i still had my oscillating sprinkler and hoses - i thought i had thrown the hardware out when i had my irrigation system installed this spring. I'd imagine trying to find a store wasting shelf space on sprinklers in late fall would be near impossible. Luckily the gear was all still tucked away under my work bench.

I have a feeling that today/tomorrow's mow will call for the winterizer to go down this weekend.

[andy10917]

Guys, this is an instructional thread. Please don't turn it into an extension of the "What I did on my lawn" or "it ain't raining in my backyard".

[greenrebellion]

Need some input. Each of the last two weeks I have cut maybe 1/8th of an inch with my mower. Am I good to drop winterizing Urea or do I wait until 100 percent stoppage? Getting close to the point where snow cover becomes a risk but it's 55 degrees today so probably still have a bit of time. Not sure what to do, any input appreciated.

[andy10917]

This is about the 50th time this has been asked, and I suspect you know the official answer - "Stop" is stop, and not "pretty damned slow".

Like "sorta stopping" when you're making a right-on-red at the corner, only you can decide if it is getting so late that the risk of missing the opportunity to apply winterizing apps outweighs the chance of forcing some new tender growth. And only you are responsible for your decision. In the "sorta stop" at the corner, you know if a policeman pulls you over,you get a ticket. No one else can make the decision for you.

[greenrebellion]

Thanks Andy, I shouldn't have even posted the question because you are right, I knew the answer, but for whatever reason, I never expected growth to continue for this long and seeing so many others who have already thrown down the Urea, I was concerned I may have taken the word "stops" too literally. Thanks again for confirming.

[mitten]

Thanks Andy, I shouldn't have even posted the question because you are right, I knew the answer, but for whatever reason, I never expected growth to continue for this long and seeing so many others who have already thrown down the Urea, I was concerned I may have taken the word "stops" too literally. Thanks again for confirming.

If it makes you feel any better I haven't dropped winterizer yet. 20% Chance of rain in GR on Tuesday and Thursday so cross your fingers.

[ken-n-nancy]

Thanks Andy, I shouldn't have even posted the question because you are right, I knew the answer, but for whatever reason, I never expected growth to continue for this long and seeing so many others who have already thrown down the Urea, I was concerned I may have taken the word "stops" too literally. Thanks again for confirming.

We haven't dropped ours yet, either.

[DeanLI]

Aggressive plan on 2 year old compact midnight KBG blend south shore of Long Island. Last drop was on 11/6 a week before average frost. Got our hard frost just a few days after.

Mowing once a week. I have been "discussing" with my wife why I need to go out and cut when it clearly has not grown and she can still see the lines from the previous cut. Two full bags on 3.5k of lawn later, I will be out there next week trying again.

Patience is key but easier said than done. Aggressive plan filled in some bare spots and some beat up by summer stress/fungus. So the way to go.

This last winterizer dump is my favorite now. The waiting to drop is like a zen exercise. So many benefits when executed properly.