Time for a quiz?

[lorenzo piedra]

Yesterday I bought a bunch of 24-0-12 with 25%scu for my first round at less than $9 per bag.

I will be applying the product at 1/4 lb of N per 1ksqft.

Now the actual question is why I am NOT applying any phosphorus to bluegrass in zone 5A in late March and April?

[RRS]

I'm gonna say that you have a fairly alkaline soil, and you're concerned that the excess P may cause micronutrient deficiencies. Most importantly an Fe defeciency that could cause chlorosis.

[GroundKprs]

Well, that doesn't rate ten, but I'll try the top 5:

5- Because it is cheaper?

4- Because TruGreen does it?

3- Because you don't care about health of your lawns?

2- Because you do not at all understand the physiology of cool season turf?

1- Because you have never pulled sample cores of zone 5 turf in that timeframe and seen the dramatic root growth just before spring flush of leaf growth?

[lorenzo piedra]

One will need to think out of the box to answer this question.

And one also needs to think in the term of economics, aesthetics, and local ordnances that prohibit phosphorus applied to turf as not to undermine the local watersheds.

As a final "hint" one also needs to be able to balance all the factors involved if one wants to make $100 in the fertilizer and pesticide application business per hour.

[mariner]

Root growth occurs in the fall according to theory. Although, I don't buy that 100%. I think that much root growth occurs in the spring as well. Not to mention that Phosphorus incresed in price recently.

[Seascape]

iron chlorosis?

[lorenzo piedra]

Well, that doesn't rate ten, but I'll try the top 5:

5- Because it is cheaper?

Good point bright eyes!!!

The word of the day is retained earnings.

It's been a real lean winter. By using a product that costs .20 cents per square foot your actual profits for this month of receivables will be much higher. Now the 1/4 N rate is for monthly full service maintenance accounts.
The typical fert and squirt account that likes to mow there turf at a 1 1/2" every three days will not be happy with this amount of product.

Those of you that are applying two pre-m on fert apps your cost is around $1.60 per sqft per round.

(insert sound of cash register ringing)

Remember it's all about the Benjamin's.

[lorenzo piedra]

"You will always see a response to phosphorus."

Yes customers will have a tendency to complain when they see all those ugly seed heads in their bluegrass.