Scotts Fertilizer and Watering?

Question

I just purchased Scotts Fertilizer (29/3/4) for my lawn (in addition to another brand of fertilizer). I've already used the competing brand for one full pass and now with Scotts Im applying it perpendicular to the competing brand to make a second pass. (Im using 2 diff brands because I had the competing brand first with all intentions of using it for the entire lawn but was given the opportunity to use Scotts later).

My question is with the fertilizer applied to the lawn how much water should I drench it with? We have an automatic sprinkler system and I was considering having it run for 1hours time tonite, then 30 min each nite onward. Is this acceptable or could i be in risk of fertilizer burn?

Thank you.

Answer 1

It's the nitrogen that can burn your grass. If a lot of it is released all at once then you get lawn burn. Scotts is a slow release fertilizer so if it is applied at the recommend level then burning is not a concern. I use Scotts all the time and never rush to water after wards. I just water on my regular schedule. The slow release approach also keeps the grass from growing like mad and keeps you cutting the grass every three days or so. You can apply fertilizer less often and cut less often.

As far as the other fertilizer, I can not comment. Do you still have the bag? Maybe you can check on it and see if it is also a slow release fertilizer. If so and you're applied at the recommended rate then there is limited concern about burning.

In any case to make you feel better, I would suggest one normal watering cycle and then you should be okay.

The idea of two applications of fertilizer at 90 angles is a very accepted way of getting good coverage. You just have to set the spreader at half the recommended rate to keep from over fertilizing.

Answer 2

If I use a slow release fertilizer, can I wait on watering until it rains two or three days later? It takes a while to water a acre when you don't have an automatic sprinkler system.

Answer 3

WOW! That is a whole lot of fertilizer!, If YOU DO NOT water you will BURN to a crisp! Start your sprinkler and leach out that grass before the Sun hits it for too long and fries it!
It is not that you used two different kinds, but that you plainly used too much!
Of course I don't know what setting your spreader is on and that does make a difference! Boy, I hope you had the numbers set real low.