By Allyn Hane - "The Lawn Care Nut"
September 9, 2021
This fall season a good number of you are going to be seeding your lawns. I’m talking to you folks growing cool-season lawns: Kentucky Bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, and ryegrass. Summer has been tough on your lawn and you want to get some added thickening by overseeding.
The Process of Overseeding Your Lawn
There are a number of ways to go about seeding your lawn in the fall. Some folks look at adding some fresh grass to an already existing lawn while others go for the complete rehabilitation process of chemically burning down their existing lawn and start over from the ground up.
I’m one who advocates for the overseeding of existing lawns for the most part. I’m not a big proponent of the lawn burndown.
With that in mind, when folks overseed, the process looks similar to this:
- Cut the lawn
- Prepare the seedbed (mechanical aeration or raking)
- Apply seed
- Apply starter fertilizer
- Apply seed covering in thin spots (peat moss)
- Water, water, water!
Today I’m going to mostly address #4 there because this time of year I get folks asking “Is Milorganite a good starter fertilizer?”
Growing Grass - Seeding A Lawn In Fall + Fertilizer with Results
The answer is absolutelyyes it is!
Milorganite has slow-release nitrogen which is great at the time of seeding but most importantly it has phosphorus which is what we want in a new grow to push as many roots as possible. Also with Milorganite being a natural product is great at building overall soil health in the process.
If you are seeding, I recommend that you apply Milorganite right on top of your seed at 12.5 lbs/1,000 sq ft. Then apply your seed covering on top of all that and get to watering!
Milorganite will be great for the new seed and its initial push, but it will also help your existing lawn to green and thicken up right alongside it. Cool-season lawns push roots in fall time naturally anyway and Milorganite will support and encourage it to push more!
You can apply Milorganite again 30 days after your seeding to continue to push it to get thicker and healthier before winter.
Andrew - Albuquerque, New Mexico
When Can I Mow After Overseeding?
Somewhere in between all this seeding and fertilizing and watering you’re going to have to mow the lawn. All that Milo is going to make your existing grass grow for sure. And you don’t want to get a fine from your HOA right?
And so that is the other question that comes up, “after my seeding when can I mow?”
I always say that it’s actually just fine to mow 10-12 days after your seeding, just don’t do a dance on the lawn.
In other words, get out there with your walk behind the mower and get it done, then get off.
You don’t want to overstress your existing grass by cutting overgrown, but you also don’t want to stomp all over your new grass that is growing in from seed. So just wait as long as you can stand it, and then get out and mow. Just be quick about it.
I’ll see you in the lawn!
FAQs
Use slow-release Milorganite as your starter fertilizer because it will not only help your new grass root, it will also nourish and feed your existing turf at the same time. Get your watering plan ready.
What is the best starter fertilizer? ›
In most cases, however, a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer like 10-10-10, 20-10-10, or 16-8-8 should do the trick. Whatever you decide, make sure the product you're using is suitable for the type of grass you're planting. Pro tips: If you want to sow seeds, ensure the nitrogen and phosphorus levels are balanced.
Does Milorganite need to be watered in? ›
Milorganite can be applied any time during the growing season and it is suitable for any climate. DOES MILORGANITE NEED TO BE WATERED IN AFTER APPLICATION? NO, it does not. Milorganite's salt free formula won't burn the lawn; therefore, there's no need to water it in directly after application.
What happens if you put too much Milorganite on your lawn? ›
Your Milorganite application contains a minimum of 2.5% iron which helps green your lawn along with nitrogen. Your lawn can only take up so many nutrients. Excess nutrients can result in nutrient runoff into our waterways, wasted money, product, and time.
How long does Milorganite take to work? ›
If you're tempted to apply more Milorganite than recommended, because you think it'll green-up your lawn faster, please don't. Applying more won't speed things along. The nutrients in Milorganite are released slowly over 8–10 weeks, so your lawn will get the nitrogen and greening iron it needs for at least two months.
Can I use Milorganite as starter fertilizer? ›
With the added heat in the south, be sure you are ready to irrigate regularly for at least 3-4 months. Do not make the mistake of stopping short on watering during the season. Apply Milorganite as your starter fertilizer to fuel the new seed and existing turf.
What are the 3 numbers for starter fertilizer? ›
It's important to note that the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium numbers on your fertilizer are percentages. For instance, a bag labeled with “23-3-8” will contain 23% Nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 8% Potassium.
Will Milorganite green up my lawn? ›
Microbes in the soil also benefit from Milo applications which means it not only turns the lawn green, but it improves your soil structure at the same time. If you flip the bag over and read the label, you can see the concentrations of elements contained in Milorganite. Notice the 2.5% iron content especially.
Does Milorganite have enough nitrogen? ›
Specifications - Nutrient analysis
Milorganite is a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer guaranteed to contain not less than 6% nitrogen, at least 85% of which is water-insoluble (WIN). The available phosphorus is not less than 4%. Milorganite also contains 2.5% iron.
Does Milorganite make grass thicker? ›
Milorganite will be great for the new seed and its initial push, but it will also help your existing lawn to green and thicken up right alongside it. Cool-season lawns push roots in fall time naturally anyway and Milorganite will support and encourage it to push more!
First off, having a thick, healthy stand of turf is the best way to help crowd out weeds naturally. Pushing your turf to thicken up with Milorganite fertilizer is a great way to get there. Along your journey though, you may have to apply some herbicides.
Does Milorganite get rid of dandelions? ›
If you only have a few here and there, consider hand pulling them and forego the chemical altogether. Fertilizing regularly with my friend Milorganite will also get your lawn racing quickly to thickness which can also help you compete with dandelions and other weed invaders.
Will Milorganite work without water? ›
It doesn't need to be watered-in, because it's non-burning. The nutrients in Milorganite will be available to the grass when enough moisture is present. If you choose to maintain a green lawn during dry/drought conditions, the rule remains the same: 1” of water in 1–2 applications per week.
Does Milorganite get watered in? ›
Milorganite doesn't need to be watered in like synthetically made fertilizers, although watering or rain will speed up the process of releasing nutrients into your lawn. If you can only fertilize once a year, fall is the best time.
Should I mow before applying Milorganite? ›
New Lawns. Mix Milorganite into the top two inches of soil before seeding or sodding. After you mow the lawn for the third time, apply two 32 lb bags per 2,500 sq ft of lawn, then follow the recommended fertilizing schedule for your grass type (see above).
What is the best fertilizer for starter plants? ›
What Type of Fertilizer to Use on Seedlings. Look for an all-purpose fertilizer that contains an even balance of nitrogen (N) to phophorous (P) to potassium (K). An all-purpose fertilizer will help young plants develop a sturdy root system and lush, healthy leaves.
Is 10-10-10 a good starter fertilizer? ›
10-10-10 fertilizer is a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer containing equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's often used as a starter fertilizer for new lawns and is also suitable for established lawns. Nitrogen: Essential for leaf growth and a green lawn.
Does starter fertilizer really work? ›
Yes, starter fertilizer works for fescues and other cool-season grasses, as well as warm-season turfgrasses.
What is the best fertilizer for starting a garden? ›
Most gardeners should use a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. An example would be 10-20-10 or 12-24-12. These fertilizers usually are easy to find. Some soils contain enough potassium for good plant growth and don't need more.
