Lawn Fertilizing question

[CorCentral]

I'm trying to time my spreading of the fertilizer right before the next rainfall.

If I spread it one day, and it does'nt rain for two days, will the fertilizer be less effective because I did'nt water it in right away?

 

[spidey07]

I wouldn't put fertilizer down if was going to rain that day or the day after.

Two days? I'd put it down unless it was calling for a heavy downpour (don't want to wash the stuff away)

-edit-
what kind of fertilizer is it? What do the directions say?

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I wouldn't put fertilizer down if was going to rain that day or the day after.

Two days? I'd put it down unless it was calling for a heavy downpour (don't want to wash the stuff away)

-edit-
what kind of fertilizer is it? What do the directions say?

It's Scott's Weed and Feed (something 2 Weed guard or something) It's the good stuff.

 

[FoBoT]

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/APPD/ace/lawnrespon.htm

you need some water/rain after application, but not too much, so the answer is, it depends. if you know/think it'll rain a little but not a giant rain storm, then you are good to go

Providing 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water immediately after applying a quick-release nitrogen source will help move the nitrogen into the surface soil, where it can be reached by grass plants. This technique also provides some protection from runoff and volatilization back to the atmosphere.

 

[MattCo]

Originally posted by: CorCentral

Originally posted by: spidey07
I wouldn't put fertilizer down if was going to rain that day or the day after.

Two days? I'd put it down unless it was calling for a heavy downpour (don't want to wash the stuff away)

-edit-
what kind of fertilizer is it? What do the directions say?

It's Scott's Weed and Feed (something 2 Weed guard or something) It's the good stuff.

I just put some turfbuilder plus2 weed control down on Friday. On the bag it said that you should put it on a wet lawn, when you know it wont rain for a day or two. I waited until I knew it wouldn't rain for a while so I could control how much water was applied afterward (to keep it from washing out). This morn, I ran a half cycle of my sprinklers to give it some water, and Thursday or Friday I will go back to the full water routine.

 

[conehead433]

As long as it isn't going to monsoon soon after application you'll be fine. You should wait until your grass has already begun to green up before applying any fertilizer. The lawn doesn't need to be wet and it doesn't really matter if it rains soon after as morning dew will begin to slowly dissolve the fertilizer. Additionally a weed control type fertilizer is usually considerably more expensive and most winter weeds will disappear completely by about 6 weeks after you start mowing regularly, so unless you just want immediate results you're just spending extra money.

 

[SunnyD]

Ya know, reading the topic and summary, my dirty mind twisted this thread into something extremely pornogpraphic.

 

[SOONER]

Lots of incorrect advise being given by people who have probably never put down any fertilizer in their life.

If it were only Scotts fertilzer then you could put it down anytime. It wont "kick in' till it rains.
However, since this is also the "WEED and feed". You need to put it down when the grass is damp (usually morning) and do it when it won't rain for a couple of days. It needs to stick to the grass and stay on a while to be effective.

 

[CorCentral]

Thanks for the tips guys. I appreciate all.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: SOONER
Lots of incorrect advise being given by people who have probably never put down any fertilizer in their life.

If it were only Scotts fertilzer then you could put it down anytime. It wont "kick in' till it rains.
However, since this is also the "WEED and feed". You need to put it down when the grass is damp (usually morning) and do it when it won't rain for a couple of days. It needs to stick to the grass and stay on a while to be effective.

silly me. I want the fertilizer in the soil and not on the grass.

 

[TySnyder]

All your grass is going to die.

 

[Slew Foot]

Lesson learned for me.

I fertilized my lawn right after I bought my house last year in June. I wetted down the grass real nice for a few days but the lawn still fried. Even now, it still looks like it's half dead, except for where the water drains from the backyard.

 

[MattCo]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: SOONER
Lots of incorrect advise being given by people who have probably never put down any fertilizer in their life.

If it were only Scotts fertilzer then you could put it down anytime. It wont "kick in' till it rains.
However, since this is also the "WEED and feed". You need to put it down when the grass is damp (usually morning) and do it when it won't rain for a couple of days. It needs to stick to the grass and stay on a while to be effective.

silly me. I want the fertilizer in the soil and not on the grass.

Well, that works for fertilizer, but, for the product he is using (Scotts® Turf Builder® With PLUS 2® Weed Control) two of the cautions are:

Cautions
Do not water or mow lawn for at least 24 hours after application (Granules must remain on weed leaves for 24 hours to be effective.)
Do not apply if rain is expected within 24 hours (or the weed control will wash off)

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: MattCo
Well, that works for fertilizer, but, for the product he is using (Scotts® Turf Builder® With PLUS 2® Weed Control) two of the cautions are:

Cautions
Do not water or mow lawn for at least 24 hours after application (Granules must remain on weed leaves for 24 hours to be effective.)
Do not apply if rain is expected within 24 hours (or the weed control will wash off)

Yep.

Which is why I suggested to RTFM.


Scott's is really good IMHO and their recommendations should be followed.

I layed down some the weekend before last with a pre-emergent. Damn crabgrass.

Problem is I'm fighting a weak lawn with some problem chicweed. And crabgrass is a mean SOB. I really need to de-thatch and airate this year.

grrrr...

I don't pretend to come off as a lawn expert, but I do care and have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.