No turning back now

[andy10917]

Hi, Dave!

Pouring on the Nitrogen, huh?

Ever been to a Broadway play with a major star and no supporting cast? That's what you're doing.

Think of the grass grass as a chain with strong links and weak links. It doesn't behave like a chain of strong links - it breaks when the weakest link gives. You've got three weeks to get down something with some P and K (and all the rest of the supporting cast) before the Summer "no fertilize" period starts. I'd use the last shot before Summer starts to get more than the Grow! Grow! Grow! bullwhip you're cracking over the lawn.

[Dave]

I wanted to make sure the new KBG lawn got all the Nitrogen I was told it needed the first year. Here is my last soil test. Below is a list of fertilizers, which one do you suggest? Thanks



Vigaro all purpose fertilizer 10-10-10
Lesco Starter fertilizer 18-24-12
Lesco Turfbuilder 24-0-11
Scotts Turfbuilder 32-4-7
Scotts Turfbuilder 2% Iron 32-0-4
Vigaro super green 35-0-5
Vigaro Phosphate free 29-0-4
Scotts turfbldr w sumrguard 20-0-8
Scotts turfbldr+2 weed cntrl 28-1-4
Vigaro Phosfate free weed/feed 28-0-3
Scotts turfbldr w haltz 30-0-4
Scotts starter fert w crabgrass prev 18-23-4

[jglongisland]

When did you put down pre-emergent and which kind? If it was Pendamethalin around 2 months ago I'd go with the turfbuilder w/haltz, otherwise one of the phosphate free. Keep away from weed n feed. You want to keep a solid-pre M barrier all year, so you might want to get some Dimension or Prodiamine. Lesco in Hicksville has Stonewall 0-0-7 (and probably one with fertilizer), that would cover you until around November.

[MorpheusPA]

What does your soil test say? Blindly throwing phosphorus or potassium at a lawn would be a bad thing if it doesn't need it. Also, none of those contain another key item--carbon. Or, for that matter, boron, copper, manganese, zinc, and the kajillion other things you might be short on.

[jglongisland]

His soil test was in his message.

[MorpheusPA]

Reconfiguring Firefox; I hate this thing.

[MorpheusPA]

Gotcha. Try liming instead...er, Andy? I'd use a weird mix of calcitic and dolomitic, balance toward calcitic, but maybe we want to keep it easier for him here.

Manganese also seems low.

Then, at least two weeks post that, a low phosphate, high potassium fertilizer. Lesco Turfbuilder 24-0-11 would fit that bill. You sure don't need the phosphorus, but you're short on potassium. Why they recommend phosphorus is beyond me, but I sure wouldn't use any.

[Dave]

I put down straight halts on March 11th. Urea 46-0-0 went down on April 20th. Calcitic lime went down in the late fall. I had put down A LOT of regular lime the past 2 falls but it just seems to disappear. It seems impossible to get the ph up. (5.8 front/5.5 back).

So far Lesco Turfbuilder 24-0-11 seems like it might be the way to go.

Should I start dropping Milorganite(how often) on the lawn after I do the fertilizer?

[andy10917]

I had put down A LOT of regular lime the past 2 falls but it just seems to disappear. It seems impossible to get the ph up. (5.8 front/5.5 back).

Not surprising. Notice the BpH is at 6.0 plus or minus 0.2. Hmm - sounds like somebody found the brick wall. There is only one way to deal with the brick wall - keep hitting it again and again until it comes down. it could be six months or two years.

[MorpheusPA]

Should I start dropping Milorganite(how often) on the lawn after I do the fertilizer?

Yes. It can go at the same time, or any time really, in any amount you choose. It might smell a bit vinegary as it decays at first, but it probably won't be anything you really notice unless you go looking.

Optimally? Full dose once a month right now. What would be fine? Four times a year is just fine, too.

Your OM is a wee bit low, that'll help bring it up. The reaction will also help nudge your soil toward neutral pH a little bit. Not much, and not enough to worry about or account in your liming, but some.

I didn't mention it because you seemed married to the synthetics (that's fine, BTW).

[jglongisland]

I would get more pre-M down, either Halts, Dimension or Barricade. If we get a bout of cool wet weather you'll get new poa, your pre-M barrier is gone now. I would keep up with Milorganite once a month through the rest of the growing season, can't hurt to do one more synthetic now and then wait until the fall if you think you need it.

[Dave]

I will put down the Lesco Turfbuilder 24-0-11 this weekend. How long is Halts good for? I put it down on March 11th.

[jglongisland]

Halts is good for 60 days (Pendamethalin). Dimension is about 90-120 depending on the rate, Barricade is about 120 to 180 depending on the rate.

[Dave]

Here are some pics I took today. The lawn looks darker in real life...
























The yellow you see is dead nutgrass. Should be gone in a week or so.





The yellow you see is dead nutgrass. Should be gone in a week or so.

[turf_toes]

looking very nice!

[jglongisland]

Awesome. How often did you have to water last week? Lived on LI for a long time, never saw thermometer break 100, let alone for 2 days in a row.

[Bestlawn]

YOWSA! Looking awesome! You did a great job.

[appalachianturf]

YOWSA! Looking awesome! You did a great job.

....... WERE JUST GLAD YOUR BACCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! only reason I even joined this forum

[Dave]

Awesome. How often did you have to water last week? Lived on LI for a long time, never saw thermometer break 100, let alone for 2 days in a row.

I did water a lot. At least every day if it was over 85 and sunny. 20-30 minutes at a time. I was NOT going to let the lawn die or go dormant during it's first growth season.

[jglongisland]

Awesome. How often did you have to water last week? Lived on LI for a long time, never saw thermometer break 100, let alone for 2 days in a row.

I did water a lot. At least every day if it was over 85 and sunny. 20-30 minutes at a time. I was NOT going to let the lawn die or go dormant during it's first growth season.

Did you poa annua die last week?