I'm sure this question has been answered a million times, but I can't seem to find it on here. (Maybe there is no answer!)

I just moved into a new (well, different....not new) home, with an established lawn. I would say it's about 70% of where I would like it to be ("lushness," weeds, color, etc.)

Anyway, I just put down Milorganite at a rate of 36/2,500 sq ft. I plan to at least go by the directions on the bag (feeding at 4th of July, Labor Day, etc.)

Other than that, should I be using SBM, or other grains, as well? When should I put them down? Now? Wait a month? I know it doesn't really matter but I want to make sure I'm doing the most good. Also, I was hoping maybe someone had a "rule of thumb" about how much SBM to put down versus Milorganite (or if Milorganite was all I needed, if I'm willing to pay for it).

On a side note, I have not had a soil test done.....I intend to do so, but just haven't had a chance yet!

Thanks!

silvz71 wrote:Other than that, should I be using SBM, or other grains, as well? When should I put them down? Now? Wait a month? I know it doesn't really matter but I want to make sure I'm doing the most good. Also, I was hoping maybe someone had a "rule of thumb" about how much SBM to put down versus Milorganite (or if Milorganite was all I needed, if I'm willing to pay for it).

You can if you wish and can get them. Different feeding encourages different bacteria and fungi that like what you're putting down (or not), which does help increase diversity of your micros a bit.

I tend to drop something once a month, with soybean meal and Milorganite as my heavy-hitters. Once a year, usually April, corn to combat any potential fungal diseases. My drops tend to be mixed soy and Milorganite, actually, to round out about a pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet per month.

Roughly, 20 pounds per thousand of Milorganite equals 15 pounds per thousand of soybean meal. Very roughly. Soy doesn't have the iron Milorganite does. Milorganite doesn't have the soil-building ability that soy does.

silvz71 wrote:Other than that, should I be using SBM, or other grains, as well? When should I put them down? Now? Wait a month? I know it doesn't really matter but I want to make sure I'm doing the most good. Also, I was hoping maybe someone had a "rule of thumb" about how much SBM to put down versus Milorganite (or if Milorganite was all I needed, if I'm willing to pay for it).

Willing to pay for it. This is the crux of the matter. With the organic approach you may do whatever your wallet and wife allow you to do. This is different from a chemical approach because with chemicals your lawn is another limiting factor. It can only take so much of them before it starts to stress.

How you mix them up again gets back to the wallet. I tend toward the most inexpensive of the grains at the time. For me at this time in my location, alfalfa is my game.

As for the best time to apply: Three weeks ago is the best time to use organics because you would be enjoying the deep green benefit now.

Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to stop by the feed store today and see what I can round up for cheap.

On another note.....this is kind of an odd question. I'm in the process of moving, and I discovered that I still had a big bag of Scott's Turfbuilder from the other house that I've never used. A couple weeks ago, I put down Milorganite.....would it hurt anything to put the Scott's down now, just so it doesn't go to waste? I was wondering if that would "discourage" any of the microbe activity that has developed thus far.

It wouldn't do any harm (I use Vigoro 29-0-4 to boost spreading in Tenacity-treated areas). However, it's a little late for synthetics, so I might hold that until September when the weather breaks. The lawn likes a high-nitrogen feeding more in fall anyway.

I just called a local feed store to price SBM and that quoted $23 for a 50 pound bag. I guess I will continue to purchase Milorganite. Just for knowledge, how many square feet would a 50 pound bag cover. My yard is roughly 8000 square feet

SBM is usually put out at a rate of 15 lbs per 1000. So 50 lbs at that rate would cover 3000 sq. ft.

But you are not pinned down to those rates. Organics can go heavier, or lighter.

I would definitely shop around, though. I bet you a bag of SBM that you can find a better price.

That's high I paid $16ish for 50 pds. Per, last month.

I guess because I leave near the city that it would be in demand if you want to go the organic route. I called around and no one else sells it around here.

What about cracked/ground corn, alfalfa pellets or meal, or cottonseed meal?

Sounds like the OP is having similar issues to me. Here in Hotlanta I have had issues pinning down anything. What I have seen is:

Milorganite: $12-15 per bag
Cracked Corn: $20 per 40# bag
Cottonseed Meal: $20 per 50# bag
Soybean Meal: $20 per 50# bag

Milor. Sounds about the same.

silvz71 wrote:Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to stop by the feed store today and see what I can round up for cheap.

Rual King has cracked corn in 40lb bags for $8
Warrick County co-op 5015 N Saint Joseph Ave (812) 423-6481 has SBM, Milorganite, and whatever else I've needed for the yard.

Thanks nothing0.....I went to the co-op last year to stock up. Haven't really looked at Rural King. Thanks!

davidval wrote:I how many square feet would a 50 pound bag cover.

Click here for more information

I referenced this the first few times I put down organics. Enjoy

nothing0 wrote:

silvz71 wrote:Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to stop by the feed store today and see what I can round up for cheap.

Rual King has cracked corn in 40lb bags for $8
Warrick County co-op 5015 N Saint Joseph Ave (812) 423-6481 has SBM, Milorganite, and whatever else I've needed for the yard.

FYI nothing0...just called the Co-op. Soybean meal right now is $14.10/50# bag.

silvz71 wrote:FYI nothing0...just called the Co-op. Soybean meal right now is $14.10/50# bag.

Thanks for the heads up.

I can't remember what it was exactly last year, do you? That doesn't sound to far off though.

Morph, you stated above that you combine milo and SBM to get the best out of both. When you mix them, is it 50/50, 60/40 or something else and at what combination? Once you have them mixed, what is the lbs per K?
Thanks

It's not that exact. I usually use 2 or 3 bags of soy (10 to 15 pounds per K) and 2 to 5 bags of Milorganite (7 to 18 pounds per K). I just kind of wing it. If the lawn seems pale, more Milorganite. For fall, more soy for feeding more heavily.