Farm Fertilizer on Grass???

Canada_CT230 · Apr 26, 2012

My neighbor has about 300 lbs of left over fertilizer from his brother's seeding last year.

He offered it to me to use on our 3 acres of grass. I bought Scott's Turf-Builder 30-0-03 fertilizer the other day and it cost me over $100 for a very sparse application. I do so little fertilizing because of the cost associated.

He used it on some of his lawn already but didn't make much of a dent in the 300 lb pile.

He said it was a urea fertilizer (granular) and was higher in Nitrogen and does have some Phosphates in it. I don't know the exact formula numbers of it.

My question is that of grass safety. If I use this fertilizer and take back my other stuff to Wal-Mart I'd save a bundle but would I harm/burn the grass. My neighbor doesn't think so as he was a farmer years ago and put it on his yard grass already.

My Scott's fertilizer doesn't need to be applied when rain is forecast or watered in. I am assuming it is a slow release formula.

Would the farm fertilizer require a watering??? The neighbor says no...he said you would just lose some effectiveness after a period of no rain.

Suggestions?

Bird · Apr 26, 2012

I'm no expert, but I think your neighor is right. I know a few years ago when my neighbor went and got a couple of tons of fertilizer, and the trailer/spreader to apply it to the pastures, he and I both kept out a couple of 5 gallon buckets full to use on the grass around our houses. Worked great.

But of course, I'm back in town now, so I use Scotts Turf Builder.

DT86 · Apr 26, 2012

My dad used to make a pass through the yard if he had some fertilizer left over from the farm. Having said it contains a high level of N you would really need to know the analysis to get a good idea of the rate of application to avoid burning it.

DKCDKC · Apr 26, 2012

Check the formula for the ag fertilizer. Most is high in nitrogen, but probably not so high it will hurt anything. I would use it but apply at half the rate of Scotts, then, if the grass doesn't brown at all, use another half application later.

Jimmy Joe · Apr 26, 2012

I have been using farm fertilizer for years. I go to the fertilizer plant and get triple twenty, much cheaper than name lawn brands, still costs too much though.

Canada_CT230 · Apr 26, 2012

I went over and talked to him again tonight. We figured that the N levels are not much higher than the 30 in the Scott's Turf Builder. He said straight urea is 46 on the N and this is blended down with potash and phosphorous. So he said it is probably pretty close to the same.

I never feed too heavy as it is so cost prohibitive to do the suggested application rates.

The only thing is that I am gonna wait until it is raining or imminent rain. My hopper has a cover so I can even apply in the rain and the fertilizer won't clump up.

Thanks for the inputs. Me thinks I can return the $100 in Scott's Turf Builder and put that cash towards an implement. I need a tree scoop!

bp fick · Apr 26, 2012

Sod farmer years and years ago turned me onto urea 46-0-0.

Yup, put it on a bit light and pray for rain. Explosive greening. Not slow release. Re-apply once month and you'll have the greenest lawn ever.

Fossil Farm · Apr 27, 2012

Fertilizer is fertilizer. Whether it is bulk or brand name, the analysis is what matters - N-P-K level. Some bagged brands may be a slow release type or have some herbicides added also. The left over fertilizer may not be a full 30 percent urea anymore if it is old and has gotten moist anyway, depending on how it was stored. Urea is a great nitrogen fertilizer, but it will volitize, especially on grass if you spread it too far ahead of a rain. It would be best to do several light applications just to be on the safe side. Very nice of him to share.

Learning to Farm · Apr 27, 2012

I am so jealous of you, in the nicest way possible. Yes, take it! What was said before is worth repeating: fertilizer is fertilizer all that matters is the #-#-# and it is strong so apply lightly multiple times.

I did 48-0-0, at the recommendation of my extension agent for pastures at 45 lbs/acre. So get out your bathroom scale so you don't get the wrong amount (too much/too little). And go for it.