2nd organic lawn fertilization timing

20 years ago

I switched from chemcial ingorance to organic lawn care last fall and to sum it up, I couldn't be happier. The compost topper I put down in the fall greened everything up nicely and early this spring (April 2), I put down CGM at 40 lbs/1000sq ft. I must have hit the timing just right for my region, as it worked much better than any chemical pre-emergent I have tried before on my crabgrass. Now my lawn is growing out-of-control fast. If I mow once a week at the highest setting, I have grass that is ~8" tall before the next mowing!!! (recent raininess certainly helped)

Anyway, my question is when and with what should I fertilize next to best handle crabgrass as well as feed the soil? I have enough CGM to do it again at 25 lbs/1000sq ft (slight miscalculation on my part when ordering :) or should I leave the CGM until next fall and use alfalfa or soy or some other meal now/soon?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

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Todd_In_Texas
20 years ago
I'm fairly new to organic lawn care but have had great sucess so far. You really can't over fertilize a lawn with organic products like that.

I'd lay down a generous amount of a high protein meal like cottenseed meal. (41% Protein and some Phosphorous):
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Then broadcast dried molasses which will stimulate chlorophyll formation in the leaves. The molasses will also give instant food to the microbes which break down complex organic compounds into fertilizer. (40% Protein, Amino Acids) :
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I would also apply some cracked or chopped corn which adds a little more nitrogen to your lawn but works as a slow-release natural funguscide/disease preventer. (4% Protein and Fungicide) :
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Of course if you have plenty of CGM I wouldn't hesitate putting that down too. You won't get the most of it's preemergent properties at this time of the season but it's loaded with protein.
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