Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site petrus.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!bellcore!petrus!hammond 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