How to Apply Fertilizer

Bill Hall – posted 16 October 2001 08:44

I am working on a project to determine how accurately homeowners apply fertilizers. Also how to help homeowners do a better job of applying fertilizers. This will address determining square feet in lawn, selecting fertilizers, choosing application rate, and using spreaders. Any help out there?

seed – posted 06 December 2001 19:29

Bill (and sorry to be so slow to respond), what you are doing sounds very interesting. My suggestions:

1) To measure the lawn, first draw a picture. That will provide a place to record measurements.

2) Pace off rectangular areas; 3 feet may be a typical pace for many men, but if that’s too unreliable, a tape measure or a garden hose of known length might work. Multiply the length and width of each area, and add the products.

3) Pick a fertilizer based on $ per pound of N. Then rank the cheaper products based on “quality” (P and K, depending on the region; acid-forming; slow release N; micros; convenience).

4) Follow what it says on the bag, and reduce by one-half, which will be 1/2 pound of N per thousand square feet per application.

5) Consider ignoring the recommendation to split the total applcation and go in two directions, e.g., North-South and then East-West. Because, if both applications were so poorly executed, in theory we would be creating a checkerboard, not compensating for errors. Try carefully overlapping wheel tracks, to avoid overlaps and gaps, if it’s a drop spreader. And if it’s a “rotary” or centrifugal spreader, then run a test pass on pavement, and measure how far out it throws, and try to overlap the halfway point. Then, sweep up the pavement.

There are several steps, and what is most likely to go wrong (multiple choice test)?

(a) too much(b) way too much(c) ran out before finishing(d) b + c

The correct answer?

(d)

[This message has been edited by seed (edited 06 December 2001).]

George777 – posted 10 December 2001 19:36

Bill, the first thing you might want to do is pull a soil sample. From that sample you will be able to find what out what nutrients may be lacking. your local county extension service will be able to help.this is how I customize fert plans for my clients.