OK 46-0-0 is just straight urea and an OK product if you understand what it is. Basically just straight very fast release nitrogen and nothing else in there. It is just candy so to speak. The challenge using it is not burning the grass with it and moderation.

All it takes is 2 pounds of the product to get 1-lb of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. It is very fast release and just after a couple of rains or irrigation cycles it is gone. Another down fall is if you apply it to wet grass, the granules will stick to the grass blades and burn them up. So the trick to using it is only apply to dry grass about once a week in 1/4 of recommended application rates. Very difficult to apply only a half-pound of product per 1000 square feet. Understand the challenge?

Second point it is getting late in the season and you need to anticipate the first frost of 30 days before frost happens because you do not want to fertilize Bermuda close to a frost date. Best way to tell IMHO is watch the growth rate. When the weather starts to cool and days get shorter the Bermuda growth rate slows way down. When that happens is the time to stop fertilizing. That should be about 3 or 4 weeks before first frost.

Going forward you need to find a different product. For the first spring application you want a balanced fertilizer with iron. A ratio of 3-1-2 2%Fe (15-5-10 with 2% iron) in a slow release formula, or 4-1-2 5% Fe slow release. Then for the rest of the season with a straight slow release nitrogen formula. If not straight slow release nitrogen as close as you can get to it.

Thanks Texas Weed. I think I almost successfully used the 46-0-0 this year. I did the math with my spreader and applied it sparingly. At the rate I used it, it probably would have lasted 4 more seasons. I always applied it when it was dry, and it always either rained or got watered in within 24 hours tops. I definitely did not experience any burning. Only thing I didn't do is I applied it monthly and not weekly.

I got the spring application right with the iron and everything........

Any suggestions for a slow release fertilizer to use next spring/summer? When I went to JDL, that was the only straight nitrogen product they had. Also, how do I know if it's fast release or slow release?

>Any suggestions for a slow release fertilizer to use next spring/summer?

Lesco 39-0-0 or 44-0-0 are both 90% slow release. If your JDL doesn't carry it, have them call around to see if another JDL in your area does.

JDL states that the 39-0-0 slow release has been replaced by their 44-0-0 slow release. Just paid with tax, $52 for a 50# bag. 44-0-0 covers more area, and the slow release % is the same. Make sure you are getting 44-0-0 which is slow release, because JDL also has 46-0-0 which is fast release... I've had great success following TexasWeeds bermuda bible and have had many neighbors walk by and stop to look at the grass. In Fort Worth area, first week of March 1 put down Lesco Pre-M. April 1 use Lesco balanced 3-1-2 fertilizer. I then cut every three days at 3/4 inch during peek growing season. Water two times a week at a rate of 1.25 inches a week. Every 4 weeks, May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug 1 Sept 1 I use Lesco 44-0-0. Sept 1 is my final time fertilizing, andI do let the grass grow to a new high of 1.25-1.50 inches in prep for winter. Oct 1 I put down Lesco Pre-M again. I do not spot treat for weeds, I hand pull anything I see when mowing which is almost never. I will spend one onlya few hours in the springpulling any little things that have come up, but a very heathy bermuda lawn crowds out just about anything else makingiteasy... Now, if I could only get the rest of the community on the plan.