Lawn Fertilization 101:
There have been many questions the last few days on this subject. Here's a quick rundown. Warm season grasses such as bermudagrass and St. Augustine will not really break dormancy until the 6 inch ground temprature hits about 60 degrees. Here in the Hondo/Uvalde area that translates to late March to the first of April. A good rule of thumb is to watch the local farmers. When they start planting cotton, your grass should be waking up. If you fertilized in the fall (the most important time) you can hold off until the middle of April. If you did not, hit it about the first of March. What to use? Look for a good quality slow release fertilizer. Scott's makes some really good stuff, and believe it or not, Walmart sells a "Sams Choice" slow release that is good. A 3-1-2 ratio of N-P-K is a good start (such as 15-5-9). I highly recommend getting a soil test if you want to really fine tune your program. http://nmp.tamu.edu/ or http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/soilwebform.pdf If you want to go organic, try a product called "Texas T". I've been using it for over 3 years now and I am very pleased with the results. I also highly recommend a product called "Green Sand". It is a natural slow release iron and trace mineral supplement. Apply it early. Foloow all label directions and if anything under apply before you over apply. For most people, another shot of fertilizer in mid June is a decent idea and should carry you on through fall. I don't like "Weed and Feed" products with one minor exception - those intended for crabgrass and other annual grasses can be o.k. if used at the right time. That time is now. Annual grasses tent to germinate earlier than the base grass comes out. These products prevent germination, so if the crabgrass/goosegrass/grassburs are already up, you are too late.
[This message has been edited by B-1 83 (edited 2/17/2005 7:41a).]
There have been many questions the last few days on this subject. Here's a quick rundown. Warm season grasses such as bermudagrass and St. Augustine will not really break dormancy until the 6 inch ground temprature hits about 60 degrees. Here in the Hondo/Uvalde area that translates to late March to the first of April. A good rule of thumb is to watch the local farmers. When they start planting cotton, your grass should be waking up. If you fertilized in the fall (the most important time) you can hold off until the middle of April. If you did not, hit it about the first of March. What to use? Look for a good quality slow release fertilizer. Scott's makes some really good stuff, and believe it or not, Walmart sells a "Sams Choice" slow release that is good. A 3-1-2 ratio of N-P-K is a good start (such as 15-5-9). I highly recommend getting a soil test if you want to really fine tune your program. http://nmp.tamu.edu/ or http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/soilwebform.pdf If you want to go organic, try a product called "Texas T". I've been using it for over 3 years now and I am very pleased with the results. I also highly recommend a product called "Green Sand". It is a natural slow release iron and trace mineral supplement. Apply it early. Foloow all label directions and if anything under apply before you over apply. For most people, another shot of fertilizer in mid June is a decent idea and should carry you on through fall. I don't like "Weed and Feed" products with one minor exception - those intended for crabgrass and other annual grasses can be o.k. if used at the right time. That time is now. Annual grasses tent to germinate earlier than the base grass comes out. These products prevent germination, so if the crabgrass/goosegrass/grassburs are already up, you are too late.
[This message has been edited by B-1 83 (edited 2/17/2005 7:41a).]
