I'm getting ready to put down a slow release fertilizer soon and have been trying to follow Randy Lemmon's guide (http://www.randylemmon.com/lawns/fertilize.html), which has the following recommendations:

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19-4-10 Nitro Phos Super Turff
18-4-6 Fertilome Southwest Greenmaker
18-0-6 Fertilome's Zero Phosphate Formula
15-5-10 Southwest Fertilizer Premium Gold
20-0-10 Bonide Premium Lawn Food

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Any idea where to get any of these in Dallas? Specifically Rockwall, Rowlette, Wylie?

Would Home Depot have these kinds? In the past I've always just grabbed Scotts or something, but wanted to try one of these. Assuming the ratios are the same, how much difference can the brand make? Is it not worth worrying about or is it pretty critical?

Thanks!

Well, I spent three seconds googling 'fertilome location' and found:

http://www.fertilome.com/FindLocations.aspx

Type in your zip and go.

[This message has been edited by vigna_ag (edited 3/29/2014 2:54p).]

It wasn't that brand, but i picked up some of the 15-5-10 at Southland Feed.

Thanks vigna - I've been mostly looking for the Nitrophos so hadn't gone all the way through the list.

I always get my stuff at ACE in the Houston area

Just checked out the local ACE and they had one of the ones on the list, so I'm all set!

Thanks guys.

It's funny - I had lived here for about 6 years without going to ACE more than a few times and I've been in there a couple times in the last week (didn't think to check for fertilizer) and now I love the place.

It's good for little things and specialty stuff, but it's pricey.

If you are in the DFW area, why not follow Neil Sperry's schedule. His is taylor made for that area. His products are also available. Randy Lemmons stuff is way to expensive, go to Producers Coop in Bryan, they have the best fertlizer that is time released and flows better out of a spreader. They can handle all your requirements, just ask Dr. Bill Lazby who will be there on staff.

If you are in DFW, Randy Lemmon's schedule is off. Our season is a bit shorter than Houston's. Delay the spring applications and do the fall applications a bit earlier than he says.

Honestly, the reason I went with Randy Lemmon is because I've never really managed a lawn schedule and when I saw his it had the step by step instructions I was after and looked easy to follow. I didn't realize it was for Houston specifically.

Will look into Sperry.

rancher1953 - is Sperry's schedule online or is it in one of his books? I'm digging online and can't find any schedules/calendars he puts out, but I'm wondering if it may be in one of his books. If so, do you happen to know which one? Is it in his "Complete Guide to Texas Gardening"?

Houston and Buda schedule similar? Just got new sod, Bermuda, and will give it a month to root.

Any specific recs from folks around the Austin area that have followed steps and had success?

FYI new lawn owner.

Just follow Randy's schedule but just start about 2 weeks later and end 2 weeks sooner. Everything else in the middle is fine. It's "good enough".

I'm in Austin and have been following that schedule for years and it works great.

I get 15-5-10 at Home Depot. An orange and white bag.

also would like to know where I can find Neil Sperry's schedule. Not seeing it on website

and to the OP, Home Depot carries Lesco and I got my 15-5-10 pre-emergent from there. Im sure they will have one of the other formulations for the fertilizer.

How long is the minimum you should wait between the pre-emergent and the first application of fertilizer?

Also live in DFW and have had trouble finding Neil Sperry's schedule/guide. Any help is appreciated.

quote:

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and to the OP, Home Depot carries Lesco and I got my 15-5-10 pre-emergent from there. Im sure they will have one of the other formulations for the fertilizer.

How long is the minimum you should wait between the pre-emergent and the first application of fertilizer?

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Yeah - I'm sure they'll have those ratios - I wasn't sure if there is other stuff to look at when deciding what is and isn't a good choice. Are all slow release 15-5-10 fertilizers the same? That's essentially the reason I was asking.

If so (or "close enough") I'll just stick to the stuff I can easily get rather than searching for specific name/formulation combos.

Houston Garden Center has everything.

I have attached Neil Sperry's tips for terric turf. He has a new book that will be out soon, he is the best and debunks a lot of myths and untruths being told by others.. Neil is a fellow aggie who majored in horticulture and father was an aggie professor in horticulture. Hope you enjoy the read, a lot of info. on Neil's site.

http://neilsperry.com/2010/04/tips-for-terrific-turf/

Here is a you tube interview with Neil Sperry and Aggie Prof. Dr. Jim McAfee on Secrets to a Great Lawn. I hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzJlqZaaie4

Awesome - thanks rancher.