Too much fertilizer?
#1
03-22-19, 10:27 AM
Too much fertilizer?
Hi everyone, had a bad experience with Trugreen last year in NJ and had a lot of crabgrass develop since they showed up very late for the preemergent. I don't have many options so I will be using them again this year.
If I put down preemergent this weekend....and they show up next week or the week after based on their schedule and put preemergent again, will the double dose damage my lawn?
Thanks!
If I put down preemergent this weekend....and they show up next week or the week after based on their schedule and put preemergent again, will the double dose damage my lawn?
Thanks!
#2
03-22-19, 10:32 AM
Group Moderator
The best time to apply preemergent is when the top inch of soil has reached 55F for 5 consecutive days (and nights). I can hardly believe your soil could be that warm this early but who knows.
You do not want to double dose it, no.
You do not want to double dose it, no.
#4
03-22-19, 02:39 PM
Group Moderator
If you apply yourself why would you still contract with Trugreen especially since you weren't happy with their service? All the chemicals and fertilizers they use are available to you.
As for the double dosing you never want to exceed the package's maximum application rate. That includes your and their applications.
As for the double dosing you never want to exceed the package's maximum application rate. That includes your and their applications.
#5
03-22-19, 04:13 PM
Member
will the double dose damage my lawn?
Pre-emergence is a herbicide and fertilizer, doubling up is probably not going to help the pre-emergence but you will get a higher dose of fertilizer but at a high cost.
Pre-emergence as noted is a timing thing, too early when the ground is cold, nothing happens, too late, nothing happens.
I'm in lower Michigan, our yard was frozen solid a week ago, you must be several weeks away from ground temp even getting close to min requirements!
#6
04-01-19, 08:38 AM
Thanks for everyone's help.
Honestly I don't have much time to try out anyone other than Trugreen. Actually they did come last week and applied a liquid based pre-emergent. My question is, what are my next steps?
(see attached pic of lawn)
1) Pull out the brown dead crabgrass patches in the Fall
2) Cultivate the bare dirt areas
3) Plant grass seeds
Will I have to pull out the dead crabgrass or will it disintegrate?
Thank you.
Honestly I don't have much time to try out anyone other than Trugreen. Actually they did come last week and applied a liquid based pre-emergent. My question is, what are my next steps?
(see attached pic of lawn)
1) Pull out the brown dead crabgrass patches in the Fall
2) Cultivate the bare dirt areas
3) Plant grass seeds
Will I have to pull out the dead crabgrass or will it disintegrate?
Thank you.
#7
04-01-19, 08:51 AM
Member
Any time you put down a pre-emergence you have ruled out any type of seed for several months, it just wont germinate.
Prep and wait or sod are going to be the only short term options for awhile!
Prep and wait or sod are going to be the only short term options for awhile!
#8
04-01-19, 09:34 AM
Group Moderator
After a pre-emergent has been applied is NOT when you start thinking about planting grass. You can't do much without knowing what TruGreen is doing so that is the first step. Find out what products they are using or at least find out from them when you can re-seed or sod. Pre-emergent herbicides inhibit germination and can even kill young plants which is obviously bad when trying to start new grass. After the waiting period then you can plant grass normally. In my yard I seed in the fall which gives the grass several months to withstand herbicide. Then in spring I'm free to use pre-emergents.
#9
04-01-19, 10:04 AM
I realize that I can't place grass seeds in the Spring after pre-emergent. I specified I would do that in the Fall.
But my question is... will the brown dead crabgrass disintegrate over the summer and leave dirt patches that just need to be cultivated/seeded? Or will I have to pull them out individually?
Thanks.
But my question is... will the brown dead crabgrass disintegrate over the summer and leave dirt patches that just need to be cultivated/seeded? Or will I have to pull them out individually?
Thanks.
#10
04-01-19, 12:15 PM
Group Moderator
Just leave the crabgrass patches alone. It will help protect the bare area from erosion until you are ready to plant. The dead grass will break down on it's own over the summer. If no new crabgrass reappears it should be relatively easy to give the area a firm raking with a garden rake to be ready for seed.
Do NOT rake or disturb the soil until you are ready to plant new grass. Many pre-emerg herbicides form a barrier on top of the soil. Raking or shoveling destroys this layer and can allow weeds to germinate.
Do NOT rake or disturb the soil until you are ready to plant new grass. Many pre-emerg herbicides form a barrier on top of the soil. Raking or shoveling destroys this layer and can allow weeds to germinate.
