Calculating fertilizer amounts

[Lawnboy18]

Is there any rule of thumb to calculate how much fertilizer to put on a lawn? I've looked around, but it is not 100% clear to me. They talk about the Nitrogen amount. How do I calculate the amount taking into account the Nitrogen factor.

 

[BWH]

Is there any rule of thumb to calculate how much fertilizer to put on a lawn? I've looked around, but it is not 100% clear to me. They talk about the Nitrogen amount. How do I calculate the amount taking into account the Nitrogen factor.

I take it you are buying this fertilizer in bulk or something that does not have settings printed on the bag? If that is the situation your best bet is to find out the nitrogen content of the fertilizer you have then find a similar nitrogen content in a brand that has printed settings for your particular spreader. May not be perfect but should get you by without burning your yard.

 

[Lawnboy18]

I will buy it in bags (I don't do many fert jobs).

Thing is usually on the bags it says X amount of fert at X level. That level is for a certain type of spreader. Ex.: Scotts Tru Green. I have a Shindaiwa spreader. So, how would I adjust that spreader so that it can be equivalent to what the bag says. I hope I am clear here.

 

[possum]

You calibrate the spreader. Then you begin to fertilize. Every time you use the spreader you keep track of how much fertilizer it took to do the size job . If it gets off by more than a small amount you recalibrate the spreader. Use the same fertilizer after you calibrate. The settings mean very little on any spreader as they vary to much. Most esp. cheap spreaders like Scotts. There are many articles on spreader calibration. KState has a couple and so do most extension programs in most states. I never go by the settings. I just measure the amount needed for the size of ground dump it in the spreader box and set the spreader very low. Then I go over the area several times until all the fertilizer is gone.

 

[Lawnboy18]

You calibrate the spreader. Then you begin to fertilize. Every time you use the spreader you keep track of how much fertilizer it took to do the size job . If it gets off by more than a small amount you recalibrate the spreader. Use the same fertilizer after you calibrate. The settings mean very little on any spreader as they vary to much. Most esp. cheap spreaders like Scotts. There are many articles on spreader calibration. KState has a couple and so do most extension programs in most states. I never go by the settings. I just measure the amount needed for the size of ground dump it in the spreader box and set the spreader very low. Then I go over the area several times until all the fertilizer is gone.

Thanks for the info! My spreader aint a cheap one tho. It's a Shindy. Factory calibrated.

The problem is calculatig the amount and knowing how much of that amount to put in the spreader. Say I put 5 lbs of fert from a 25 pound bag, I don't know how much to remove from the bag.

 

[possum]

Pass on fertilizer application.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Fertilize by pounds of actual - EXAMPLE: nitrogen required / 1000 sq. ft. according to your soil test.

You can do your own chemical tests and a soil structure test. Your county extension service is usually more than willing to assist if you take these test results to them.

How to Calculate Fertilizer Application | Garden Guides

 

[exotion]

10 pounds of nitrogen per 10000 sqft

a 50 pound bag of 20-x-x is 20% nitrogen. So 20% of 50 pounds is 10 pounds so that 50 pound bag should cover 10000 sqft

 

[Lawnboy18]

Thanks a lot for the input guys!