Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application
- Thread starter spierceisu
- Start date
Same. Fertilizer now is for the grass next year. Need to get it down at some point before winter.
I was wondering if it was too late in the season to apply fertilizer. Maybe I should get the last of mine down too.
Not too late. Ideally you want to get the last application when the grass is green (not dormant) but not growing - In a normal year I shoot for mid November. The grass will absorb the nutrients and drive root growth as it prepares for winter.
Waukee does this - but they also have a deal where you can have a separate meter for irrigation so you don't get charged sewer for it... So the main comes in and splits to two meters.
Good to know. Since my fertilizer is liquid I am going to wait until after next week's rains unless I can get it in Friday night.
Great call, adding that slow release fertilizer is best for that objective.
The evidence is clear about lawn fertilizer contributing to algae blooms in our water bodies, nutrient overload causing huge impacts on aquatic life. Particularly in a state like Iowa. If you like to fish, or enjoy clean, clearer water to swim in and eventually drink (depending on your water source), please be careful applying fertilizer and apply sparingly. I would hope everybody falls into that category. The effects of a bunch of homeowners spreading it all over just for the sake of keeping up appearances are particularly dramatic when it washes down into the sewers and eventually into our streams, lakes or aquifers in dry years. Fish kills can result as there's a lot less water moving through the system and the unnatural nutrients build up. So, please be careful when applying if you would.
Anyway, I think I saw a study last year where we've thankfully reached a point where more Americans don't apply fertilizer anymore on their lawns than do, but if you must and choose to do it yourself, please apply carefully; don't get it on any non-porous surfaces (like concrete or brick where it will run-off) and responsibly. I would hope more will eventually get to a point where when they weigh the benefits of applying fertilizer on their lawn (literally, from what I can tell, only greener, healthier grass that outcompetes weeds better and has the psychological effect of looking better to a few people - but not all as others feel a green lawn is a sign of perverse priorities) vs the drawbacks (more fish kills, more polluted water, wasted money on fertilizer / lawn upkeep, sometimes the municipality has to work harder to clean the water and process it due to nutrient overload, hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico leading to smaller fisheries, less wildlife and recreation opportunities, and the list goes on), they'll decide to just mow the lawn, aerate sometimes or do other, less harmful stuff to it. Thanks in advance from society.
Anyway, I think I saw a study last year where we've thankfully reached a point where more Americans don't apply fertilizer anymore on their lawns than do, but if you must and choose to do it yourself, please apply carefully; don't get it on any non-porous surfaces (like concrete or brick where it will run-off) and responsibly. I would hope more will eventually get to a point where when they weigh the benefits of applying fertilizer on their lawn (literally, from what I can tell, only greener, healthier grass that outcompetes weeds better and has the psychological effect of looking better to a few people - but not all as others feel a green lawn is a sign of perverse priorities) vs the drawbacks (more fish kills, more polluted water, wasted money on fertilizer / lawn upkeep, sometimes the municipality has to work harder to clean the water and process it due to nutrient overload, hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico leading to smaller fisheries, less wildlife and recreation opportunities, and the list goes on), they'll decide to just mow the lawn, aerate sometimes or do other, less harmful stuff to it. Thanks in advance from society.
Well, then, fluck it. I am putting in astro turf. Seriously, though, I've considered all this. I am using a product that claims to much more environmental friendly and hopefully their marketing isn't all bs.
Haha. Sorry to get on my soapbox. I respect other people's property rights at the same time I'm up here being holier than thou and I know I'm being a debbie downer for those who like a nice, green lawn. I like the look of it too; there's just a huge downside and I can't help but point that out.
Appreciate your response; you're obviously one of the responsible ones here.
I try to be. My wife and I used a service that used products that were certified Bee Safe. We just got tired of paying him, and I didn't want to continue contributing to the dead zone, so we stopped and did nothing for a few years. This year, though, our lawn looked like crap. So many bare spots and whatnot. Maybe it was a few years of drought having an impact, but I went with Sunday Law Care and am hoping it helps.
I have seriously considered tearing up most of my lawn and plant native/prairie grasses. Maybe I will once the youngest is no longer interested in playing catch in the yard.
I am fighting with my wife, however, about creeping charlie. I've got a lot growing in the back corner of my lot especially around my raspberry bushes. It does not bother me at all, and I know bees love it, but my wife complains about it all the time (yet she has never mowed the lawn......). I am determined to win this battle.
I'm surrounded by trees and wildlife, so I'm at peace with not having a perfect yard. The only two that annoy me are dandelions and creeping charlie.
Looking to get quotes for lawn treatments in the Des Moines Metro area. Open to suggestions on who others thinks are good and reasonably priced.
I used A+ Lawn & Landscape awhile back then canceled once I got my yard looking the way I wanted thinking I could maintain it myself again but weeds got out of control last year. They did a good job last time I used them and they reached out to me out of the blue this week with a quote that seems competitive. I put in a couple quote requests tonight for some other places to see how they stack up.
I used A+ Lawn & Landscape awhile back then canceled once I got my yard looking the way I wanted thinking I could maintain it myself again but weeds got out of control last year. They did a good job last time I used them and they reached out to me out of the blue this week with a quote that seems competitive. I put in a couple quote requests tonight for some other places to see how they stack up.
What did you do for treatment last year?
I switched last year from Scotts to the Fleet Farm brand and didn't notice a difference (other than in my wallet). Just do 5 treatments a year (+ grub killer). Start in... late April and then it's about every 6 weeks with a different color bag.
Through who? I have a .28 acre lot so my quotes are going to be a little higher than yours
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FYI, A+ has gone to **** over the last few years. IMO they got too big and the quality control just isn't there anymore.
They completely tore up my lawn doing aeration and I'm pretty sure the seed they put down was half weeds. We had a lot of weeds pop up that had never been there before and I'm still fighting them years later. The tall fescue patches were awful.
They dropped oil all over my FILs driveway and left it. They drug a flat tire across my neighbors lawn with the aerator and scalped strips across the entire thing. We have two neighbors that use them and the lawns just don't look great. A lot of retreatments.
My neighbor uses them and it's infuriating. I spend so much time killing weeds on the border of the lawn that I've actually told him I'll take care of his lawn for him (just charge him for the material) because it'll make my life (and lawn) that much better.
