Is it okay to apply Fall Lawn Food when over seeding? (fertilizer, grass)

[Baike]

Thanks.

[mawipafl]

You might want to fertilize first before overseeding. The whole point is to help the soil become a better host for grass. Remember, you're not actually feeding the lawn itself even though the package might say "Lawn Food".

Putting down fertilizer and seed at the same time could damage/burn the seed.

[reneeh63]

Originally Posted by mawipafl

You might want to fertilize first before overseeding. The whole point is to help the soil become a better host for grass. Remember, you're not actually feeding the lawn itself even though the package might say "Lawn Food".

Putting down fertilizer and seed at the same time could damage/burn the seed.

What about something as mild as "Milorganite"? It's 5-2-0

[bigbear99]

milorganite is an organic slow release fertilizer, so it should not burn anything. I doubt the timing, before or after, makes much difference to grass seed or your existing grass. Even if you put it down after seeding, the regular watering seed needs will help the milorganite wash into the soil and begin its gentle breakdown.

Not that the OP suggested it, but I'd not put down both together because it would be hard to make things even or rake the seed in.

[Baike]

I am talking about Fall Lawn Food, which was left over from last year.

I did not use fertilizer, but I bought quite some soil (guess that kind of soil provides fertilizer already).

Can I use it? At least use it a few weeks after overseeding?

Thanks.

[movin2Reston]

Yes, starter fertilizer at time of seeding or lawn fertilizer with higher nitrogen 4-6 weeks later.

Then fertilize again in mid to late October.

Originally Posted by GlebeH

I am talking about Fall Lawn Food, which was left over from last year.

I did not use fertilizer, but I bought quite some soil (guess that kind of soil provides fertilizer already).

Can I use it? At least use it a few weeks after overseeding?

Thanks.

[mawipafl]

Fall Lawn Food IS fertilizer. Liquid, granular, premixed in soil - "food" is synonymous with "fertilizer".

[bigbear99]

Whether or not a particular fertilizer/lawn food can be used near seeding depends much on the amount of soluble nitrogen, which can be cleaned from the label. Soluble nitrogen gives quick green up for established lawns, but also has a burning risk, and is likely to be wasted on a newly seeded lawn since it washes away pretty easily.

I would NOT use it a few weeks after seeding because of the burning risk of newly sprouted seed.