It’s generally best to apply Milorganite fertilizer to warm-season grass at the following times of year: Easter (this should be after the turf comes out of dormancy): The application rate at this time is 32 pounds per 2,500 square feet. Lawn fertilizer packaging will include instructions on which setting to use on a spreader. This Miracle Gro Lawn Food will fertilize all type of grass/lawn. Once the grass reaches 4 1/2-inches tall, mow to a height of 3 inches. It is best to spread the fertilizer just prior to planting the seed. For maximum appearance of your lawn, you can apply fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the most active period of your grass' growth. Fertilizer Analysis 20-27-5" so, there you go. If you are over seeding, I would not put any fertilizer on the lawn-The new grass will have zero chance with the established then. quick-release nitrogen per 1,000 sq. Nitrogen and phosphorus from indiscriminate use of fertilizers have caused such great environmental concerns that about half the states in the U.S. have imposed some sort of regulations on fertilizer use. Warm season grasses aren't the only ones that may need overseeding. Seedling grasses need greater amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus than mature grass plants because seedlings are producing new tissues rapidly and thus have higher energy and nutrition requirements.” Reseeding a lawn will take more time, but sod will be more expensive. Starter fertilizers for lawns come in different compositions of the primary nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P-phosphate) and potassium (K-potash), or the three numbers listed on the package (NPK). You can use a starter fertilizer with an N-P-K amount of 5-10-5 at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet, according to the University of California. Be sure to use a turf-type tall fescue cultivar such as 'Cayenne' or '2nd Millennium' or a blend designed to withstand foot traffic and warm temperatures in your area. Fertilize with a slow-release 18-1-8 fertilizer using a spreader, four to eight weeks after the fescue germinates. For my full reno, I have prepared a 10-25-10. She writes a weekly garden column and authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden. Peter Landschoot, Ph.D., professor of turfgrass science at Penn State Extension states, “Yes, both seed and sod. One look at your local garden center’s fertilizer aisle and you’re inundated with choices for producing your vibrant lawn. It is best to overseed your lawn immediately after applying the fertilizer to prevent weeds from taking advantage of the extra nutrients in the soil. I understand that many factors come in place and will stick to 2 weeks in for my overseeding area. (For best results, use a Scotts spreader!) Secondly, while you are planting the seeds. Method-1: You can apply fertilizer first. When seeding a lawn, you should never apply the fertilizer and seed together. Water thoroughly after fertilizing. That generally equates to days when air temperature consistently hits 60 to 75 degrees. It is best to apply starter fertilizer just before, or at the same time as planting grass seed. 1 In southern areas, overseed thinning lawns in late spring, as warm-season grasses enter active growth. With these nine FAQs about using starter fertilizer on your lawn, we’ll also explain what all those numbers on the fertilizer package mean and how they’ll affect the growth of your grass. Used properly, it won’t be long before your bare feet are enjoying the feel of your healthy lawn. Probably not. Two specific moments are better to apply starter fertilizer. For example, a fertilizer ratio of 10-10-10 contains 10 percent of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. I’m sure there’s no wrong way. Generally speaking, the first time you fertilize in the spring will likely be sometime between the beginning of March and the middle of April. Starters release slowly with successive watering nutrients to feed young emerging lawn grass. If there's a heavy layer of thatch or the soil is compacted, aerate the soil. Always check the rates on the bag as they vary among brands. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. Using a Starter Fertilizer When overseeding lawns, you may find it necessary to apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there's plenty of sunlight. You only do that in the fall (late August) after the crabgrass has stopped germinating. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass (4.9 / 5 rating), GreenView 2131254 Starter Fertilizer (4.8 / 5 rating), Jonathan Green Green Up Seeding & Sodding Lawn Fertilizer (4.8 / 5 rating), Lesco Professional Starter Fertilizer, 18-24-12 (4.7 / 5 rating), Tips for Watering Your Lawn in Philadelphia, PA, How to Landscape With Palm Trees in Phoenix, 2021’s Best and Worst States for Living Off the Grid, 10 Walkway Ideas for Your Yard and Garden, 14 Treehouse Ideas for Your Backyard Playhouse. Similarly, do I need to fertilize when I overseed? Should I Use Starter Fertilizer. I will be overseeding this fall and I need an economical fertilizer since my lawn is about 20,000 sq ft. buy it, spread it, drink a beer(s). nitrogen per 1,000 sq. Before scattering fescue seed over your lawn, take time to prepare the existing grass and any exposed soil. For winter color, overseed southern lawns in fall. However, some new formulas have different schedules to … You can apply every 4 to 6 weeks at any season when your fescue lawn is growing. If your fine fescue lawn (Festuca rubra or Festuca brevipila) sees a lot of foot traffic or it has been a long, hot summer, overseeding with a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) increases the lawn's ability to withstand kids, pets and summer heat. ft. can burn the young turf and result in poor establishment. The Best Time to Apply Starter Fertilizer for Grass Seed. Do not apply a preemergent herbicide for crabgrass control to a new seeding or on seedling turf—unless the product is specifically formulated to do so.. Use a metal thatch rake to remove the grass clippings, thatch and debris. Starter fertilizers will contain higher amounts of phosphorus (Middle number on the bag of fertilizer). Use a Starter Fertilizer Fertilizer is the other needed product for seeding. Apply a Starter Fertilizer When the soil temperature falls to 50 to 65 degrees or the air temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, apply a starter fertilizer for overseeding. It won’t hurt the grass, but might lack the needed nutrients that a well-balanced fertilizer for continued lawn maintenance contains. Water the lawn lightly, twice daily at first, while the grass seeds germinate. ft. will speed up seedling development.”, When it comes to explaining phosphorus and its role Landschoot also notes, ‘”Phosphorus is included in starter fertilizer primarily to enhance root development. When an existing fescue lawn has been damaged or is simply growing poorly, consider overseeding to fill in the bare spots. Avoid weed-and-feed products, as the pre-emergent herbicides will prevent germination of the fescue seeds. But, you have to ensure overseeding your lawn at least 6-8 week after spreading fertilizer. She continues to write nonfiction articles on gardening and other topics and is working on a second "50" book about plants that attract hummingbirds. (Best of the blues from seedland). In general, plan to overseed the lawn at least six weeks before the average first frost date so the new grass has time to become established. In the North, the best time to overseed your lawn is in the fall, when the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and there are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. Just pour the required amount into a standard fertilizer spreader and evenly apply the starter fertilizer over the planting site. Contains high nutrients and chelated iron for roots and grass blades. You should not use starter fertilizer in areas where you cannot control runoff. Some nitrogen and phosphorus (as starter fertilizer) applied to the soil before the sod is laid should help hasten development of new roots.”, Landschoot notes, “Because soil-test levels of phosphorus don’t change much over short periods, you can collect soil samples and submit to a test lab to determine phosphorus levels within a year of establishing turf. I had my lawn care company put down a starter fertilizer instead of my normally scheduled fertilizer on Sept. 22. Although various starter fertilizers for grass may differ slightly in composition, they all give the grass seeds and new sod the nutritional boost required for healthy germination and rapid root growth. To keep the fescue green and growing, water regularly and apply fertilizer on a regular schedule. Follow instructions on the label as to how often to apply . Just be sure to allow time for the lab to process the samples and return your report with phosphorus recommendations. 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