How much nitro before burning starts?

joeyboy

I've always been one to err on the side of safety, and I went so light w/ fertilizer last year that I believe it's one of the reasons my lawn wasn't perfect .

I've been using much more fertilizer, with great results, but had a question.


I see the most common recommendation is 1lbs of nitrogen / 1,000 sq ft of turf. However, some places definitely recommend 1.5 lbs nitro for that space. Then, I go somewhere else, and read about how someone's lawn is now destroyed from nitro!

What is the 'burn zone' with nitro? Would 2lbs / 1k sq ft do it? Are there certain things to keep in mind when doing high-nitro regimens?<<I think I already know some, for instance I'm doing exactly 1lbs nitro / 1,000 sq ft / month, but I split it to bi weekly applications of half my month's nitro.>>

joeyboy

(whoops! 1 more question )

I've read the recommendation of 1lbs nitro / 1,000 sq ft / *month*, is that accurate as far as general practice is concerned? So 12lbs nitro / year is the norm?

joeyboy

(oh just as an fyi and all, I'm using a mixture of lanco and vigoro fertilizers, the way I mix it probably ends up with maybe 25% slow release nitro)

murray59

Joeyboy, I'm no expert but there are a lot of variables to consider. You might want to consider a soil test to see what you are starting with. Whatever you apply put it on when the weather is cool and water it in good to lessen the chance of burning or put less on at once and repeat a while later.

Robert131

As I stated in a previous post, not all fertilizers "burn". Check the label. Fertilizers high in nitrate forms will burn if not watered in. We use an Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer, 34-0-0, on the golf course from time to time, and rarely go above a 1 lb rate, because you don't need to. Then we water it in with .25" of water. If you put this on your lawn, you are going to get rapid green up and excessive growth for a period of 2-4 weeks. We prefer to use fast acting fertilizers at only a .25 lb rate maximum to control it.