I have been applying milorganite all this season it seems to take a lot of time to breakdown 3-4 weeks is this normal? I have read on here some people say the smell goes away in a day or two it seems to linger longer in my yard, not that I mind it reminds me of low country. Jut curious if my yard is just way low on micro herd and if so what else can I do to amp it up.

How often are you using it? I can go 30 lbs per 1000sqft weekly with out any smell now.

There are lots if things you can use to get things moving along. Sugar,molasses,beer,soy,corn

Morph can tell you much more

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Three weeks is typical. It's consistent with many other organics. Maybe with time you'll move to the 2-3 week timeframe.

There is nothing that you can do - I have been doing weekly applications of Milorganite for years, and have a very healthy microherd. It's 2-3 weeks.

I also wonder if high surface soil temps, and moisture evaporation are causing a Summer decline in his microherd (the ones that break down organics). Atlanta is blazing these days.

Define "breakdown" are you still seeing the granuals laying on the soil after 2-3 weeks?

By breakdown I am still seeing granules after 3-4 weeks. I've had a major battle this year after firing Trugreen and lawn care company but it has come back really well even side of house (70% shade) thanks to you guys on this forum since joining late April. Should I change up to another organic along with Milo? I have been applying about every three weeks double bag rate, I've seen earthworms for the first time in three years
don't know if its from Milo or just proper maintenance (bermuda Bible)

What's the irrigation schedule?

You can mix up the organics, but I've slowly fallen into little more than Milorganite and some Alfalfa. I'm not seeing any problems from that approach, but I really pour on the Milorganite.

I water only when needed and try to get one inch on each watering. just milo and alfalfa no synthetic fert?

No synthetic, ever. Not even Urea.

I have applied corn gluten meal every month since March. At first the smell was very noticeable. I thought with the July app that the smell had finally gone away, but if you know what you're sniffing for, you can still tell. I think the herd is doing well for the most part, but there are probably some spots where it is weak enough to not decompose before the aroma hits.

This is the first year for organics and since the heat came on the Milor. smell is maybe 3-4 days, 1-2 when it was cooler. I haven't put more than bag rate since the heat started. I don't mind cheese smell with the soy if I have to smell the neighbors green guy chemicals they can tolerate the cheese.

zeke36 wrote:By breakdown I am still seeing granules after 3-4 weeks. I've had a major battle this year after firing Trugreen and lawn care company but it has come back really well even side of house (70% shade) thanks to you guys on this forum since joining late April. Should I change up to another organic along with Milo? I have been applying about every three weeks double bag rate, I've seen earthworms for the first time in three years
don't know if its from Milo or just proper maintenance (bermuda Bible)

If you are applying double bag rate every 3 weeks, then the granuals you are seeing are absolutely normal. Part of the reason you are still seeing the granuals is the lack of rain/water. Your lawn may be getting the proper amount of water down to the roots by doing your one inch per week, but at the soil level where the milo granuals are awaiting to be broken down, it is much drier (especially with that southern heat). If you're not already cutting high, an incease in height will help keep the soil surface damper. You'll find that enough rain/moisture (Spring/Fall) will encourage the granuals to breakdown faster.

To get Bermuda Bible rates.. you need 20-lbs/1,000 sq-ft....
My experience is that my bermuda LOVES Milorganite - perhaps the best fertilizer ever....
BUT... it does need to be watered.....

Ignore the granules - pay attention to the lawn.... If it's still lush, dark green and spreading up on to the house and needing 4x per week mowing... you are doing fine.... If the green is starting to turn back to Apple green - dump more Milorganite and water....

The other key thing here is to not overlook a soil test... I found that Calcium and Magnesium deficiency caused an apple green and sluggish Bermuda lawn - and that dropping Dolomite lime actually greened things up a whole bunch.... But.. like anything else - do it based on a good soil test...

Thanks

I have raised height to 1 3/8 since it has been so hot. John the color looks good and I have to cut every other day which I love doing. Thanks again for all the advice my yard has definitely benefited from it especially in such a short period of time.
Is it really possible to be 100% organic with the nitrogen demand of Bermuda?

Yes it is possible. It might not be financially practical all the time, but it is possible. Corn gluten meal has the most protein (source of nitrogen) of any of the grains. Mixing 5 pounds of blood meal in with 50 pounds of corn gluten meal would significantly boost the protein level. However, corn is very expensive this year. Using soybean meal will give you the most bang for your buck this year.

Thanks David I think I will use soybean to alternate with Milo.

Dchall_San_Antonio wrote:Yes it is possible. It might not be financially practical all the time, but it is possible. Corn gluten meal has the most protein (source of nitrogen) of any of the grains. Mixing 5 pounds of blood meal in with 50 pounds of corn gluten meal would significantly boost the protein level. However, corn is very expensive this year. Using soybean meal will give you the most bang for your buck this year.

David, what is the crude protein for the CGM that you are able to get from your mills in Texas? Up here in my area, the mills must not use as good a process to get the gluten because they only generate a 21% crude value versus 47% for Soy. Therefore I use more soy than CGM. I have heard of much better levels for CGM coming from some mills, but I was just curious to see how much over 47% you were getting in Texas. Amazing how price varies by region also...my CGM is about $12 for 100 lb. bag and the Soy is about $20 right now.

I just applied Vigora Super Green at the end of June how long should I wait to apply soy?

zeke36 wrote:I just applied Vigora Super Green at the end of June how long should I wait to apply soy?

Two and a half seconds.

No, really, there's no interaction. The soy you drop today definitely won't be available for three more weeks at least (a bit longer if you're just starting with organics).

The one adjustment with organics that I noted and had to make was I went from reacting to what the lawn did to anticipating what it would need. My fall feeding (KBG) went from Labor Day and October 1 to August first and September first. I anticipate spring by dropping Milorganite in April.

For Bermuda, your timing will differ, of course, but needing to think a month ahead is the same in both cases. It quickly becomes as second-nature as reacting to what the lawn does.

Thanks Morph. I will try to locate some sbm this week.