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The problem is this
type of Fertilizer makes Grass Grow like a Weed! Nitrogen
is the most needed and most limited source of plant nutrition. Nitrogen
fertilizer comes in many forms. The cheapest form of nitrogen is Urea.
Urea is extremely "hot" as it usually is a 46% formulation.
The problem is that this type of fast release fertilizer can easily burn
your lawn to a crisp if applied incorrectly. The other problem is that
this raw form of nitrogen makes grass grow like a weed and quickly goes
away. Most lawn fertilizers are a blend of fast and slow release
nitrogen. This blend gives more time in between applications. Depending
on the type of fertilizer used, turf grass needs an average of 4 pounds
of nitrogen (N) per 1000 ft2 per growing season. This can be divided up
into 4 applications at 1 pound of N per 1000 ft2, or it can be divided
into 8 applications at 1/2 pound of N per 1000 ft2. Organic
Verses Conventional Fertilizers There
are true organic forms of fertilizers. These products are very low in
actual nitrogen and have to be applied at very heavy rates in order to
supply the correct amount of nitrogen. All
forms of fertilizer, either organic or conventional, have to be broken
down by soil microbes before they can be absorbed by plants. A common
misbelieve is that Organic fertilizers are better for the soil. Organic
fertilizer (unless it's manure) is not Organic Matter. Yes,
incorporating organic matter in the soil while preparing for a new lawn
is quite beneficial. Sprinkling organic fertilizer on the lawn does
nothing to improve the condition of the soil. It still has to be broken
down before it can be used.
Because you have to use more product to get the same amount of
nitrogen... the cost is high.
Important factors to consider
when choosing a fertilizer are...
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How much nitrogen is contained in
the product
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How much is fast verses slow
release
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The faster the fertilizer releases
nitrogen the more fertilizer will be lost to leaching, run off, and
volatilization in the air
At Jones Tree and Lawn, Inc. we
use a product called Meister, which is a programmed release fertilizer.
It's patented polyolefin coating releases small amounts of nitrogen over
time
and as it get wet. No longer are we dependent on watering days dictating
when we can apply our product. It doesn't have to be watered in
immediately after it's applied. It just sits there and waits to get wet
to start to work. It doesn't bun the lawn. It doesn't leach into ground
water or volatilize into the air. One application provides all the
nutrients the lawn needs for the entire year!
If you are feed up with dealing with
rusty fertilizer spreaders... lugging heavy bags of fertilizer from the
store, burn spots and strange yellow stripes in the lawn, then give
yourself a break. Hire us to do the technical care for your lawn and
enjoy your summer and your lawn!
Call Jones Tree and Lawn, Inc. for a
free lawn analysis and a Meister Lawn Care estimate by calling
303-431-8132 today! |