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From: hammond@petrus.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Rookie Gardener
Message-ID: <393@petrus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 10-Jul-85 07:58:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: petrus.393
Posted: Wed Jul 10 07:58:52 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jul-85 20:39:38 EDT
References: <998@homxa.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 38

J. Orost writes in response:

>  3)  What is the best fertilizer to use on a lawn and garden.
> 
> Make sure the PH of your soil is around 6.5 to 7.  If below,  use
> lime.    This  is  the  cheapest  soil  additive.   The  cheapest
> fertilizer is the best.  But!!!!   Make  sure  the  first  number
> (Nitrogen) is high.  For instance, 10-6-9 means that there are 10
> lbs of nitrogen in 100 lbs of fertilizer. A higher  number  means
> you can apply less, for instance, 20-10-10 can be applied at half
> the rate.  Apply in Spring, Fall and Late Fall.  If  you  (insist
> on  using) the expensive (organic stuff) follow the directions on
> the bag.

First point) Don't cut your grass too short, it simply wastes fertilizer
and time.  Besides, longer grass (say 3" high) keeps out weeds better
and stays green better through short dry spells where close cut grass
browns out.

Question:  You claim the cheapest fertilizer is the best, but my
Scotts spreader has trouble evenly spreading the cheap stuff.  The
first 7/8 of the bag works fine, but then all the small particles are
out and only large clumps (1/8 to 1/4") are left and they don't fall
out ever at the recommended spreader setting.  I have to keep an eye
on the spreader hopper and constantly readjust the opening to get
an even spread.  Even then, the area where I put the fertilizer last
doesn't look as nice as the start (splotchy green).  Does anybody else
have this problem?

Second point, I have a drop spreader. What are other people's
experiences with drop vs broadcast spreaders.  I note that with
my grass moderately high, the drop spreader gums up if there is
any moisture on the grass, which rules out fertilizer after a morning
dew or in the evening (our area starts getting damp about 1-2 hours
before sunset).  On the other hand, a broadcast spreader wouldn't
have that problem.

Rich Hammond