What's the best way to spread fertilizer?

63DH8 · Feb 18, 2006

What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

I have some 64-0-0 and was wondering if a regular spreader is good enough or if disolving it in water and spraying it is better.

ToadHill · Feb 18, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

64-0-0 that means that of that 50lb bag you have 32 lbs of nitrogen. That's a lot to put in any soil. I'd do a soil test before I put this down on anything. You'll end up with a lot of green matter and no fruit.

63DH8 · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

Soooo.... If what I'm putting the fertilizer on is grass and pine trees, it's okay? I have patches where the pine needles killed the grass due to the acidic nature of the pine needles. Over all, the soil is somewhat acidic.

I'm trying to build a thick, tough root base for my grass.

Robert_in_NY · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

Hi Paul, where abouts in Cattaraugus (I dislike spelling our county names /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) do you live?

rozett · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

Part of your problem is soil pH. That does not require fertilizer, it requires some form of lime. I agree with Toad... have a soil test done before putting anything down. Most state Extension services know where to get soil testing done. If you outline what you want growing in the area, they will recommend what you need to apply and in what quantities. 64-0-0 seems like an extreme choice in fertilizers for a lawn and trees.

thcri · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

( Most state Extension services know where to get soil testing done. If you outline what you want growing in the area, they will recommend what you need to apply and in what quantities. 64-0-0 seems like an extreme choice in fertilizers for a lawn and trees. )

I would be careful with the 64-0-0. That is a pretty high nitrogen content and you could burn everything in site. Many years ago I worked with a lot of nitrogen both in dry and Anhydrous and if you put too much on you burned everything.

murph

63DH8 · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

 ( Part of your problem is soil pH. That does not require fertilizer, it requires some form of lime. I agree with Toad... have a soil test done before putting anything down. Most state Extension services know where to get soil testing done. If you outline what you want growing in the area, they will recommend what you need to apply and in what quantities. 64-0-0 seems like an extreme choice in fertilizers for a lawn and trees. ) 

Now I have two questions... What's the best way to apply 64-0-0, disolve it in water and spray or apply dry? Also, what's the best way to apply lime?

ToadHill · Feb 19, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

My 90 acres is just outside Little Valley.

Farmwithjunk · Feb 20, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

What sort of equipment do you have to spread it with? If you have a broadcast spreader and DON'T have a way to spray liquid, dry wins by default. In that instance, granular would be best.

Buying in new would be much cheaper dry.

If you plan on contracting, see what the local contractors offer.

I'm not even going in to the need for, and how much of, the 64-0-0. Too much of one thing, and not enough of another can really complicate soil fertility.

Best way to spread lime? Call a quarry and arrange for them to haul and spread it. They usually have the equipment to do it on a big scale, fast, accurately, and the cheapest way possible. Any way the average individual has to deal with lime spreading involves LOTS of labor.

rswyan · Feb 20, 2006

Re: What\'s the best way to spread fertilizer?

( I'm trying to build a thick, tough root base for my grass. )
Then you don't want 64-0-0 ....

64-0-0 is primarily nitrogen .... which will cause massive growth of the green leafy portion of the plant. What you need is a mix which causes root growth. Take a look at the ratios on some of Scott's Winter Lawn Fertilizers ..... these are designed to promote root growth over the winter with a limited amount of greening ..... they are more along the lines of 24-3-12. The 3-12 portion is what helps to promote the root growth.