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Got a couple of bags of 10-10-10 All Purpose Fertilizer and trying to figure out what would be the optimal Scott’s EdgeGuard spreader setting to apply in late October/early November.
In VA you can take soil samples and send them into VA Tech: https://www.soiltest.vt.edu/sampling-insttructions.html. I do not know how much they cost; but in PA is was a nominal charge (less than $10 the last time I sent one in which was many years ago). But our State would quickly send back the results and there was no guessing; they would tell you exactly how much fertilizer you would need for whatever you were going to plant. If you wanted an orchard, they would give you an exact amount, and if you simply wanted a lawn, they would give you an exact amount.
Fertilizer is expensive and why guess or take our word for what you need? Let the pros tell you so you don't make a mistake.
Definitely a good idea, for those of us that get their soil checked regularly, wondering how 10-10-10 would be spreader applied for a 20-20-20 equivalent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fisheye
In VA you can take soil samples and send them into VA Tech: https://www.soiltest.vt.edu/sampling-insttructions.html. I do not know how much they cost; but in PA is was a nominal charge (less than $10 the last time I sent one in which was many years ago). But our State would quickly send back the results and there was no guessing; they would tell you exactly how much fertilizer you would need for whatever you were going to plant. If you wanted an orchard, they would give you an exact amount, and if you simply wanted a lawn, they would give you an exact amount.
Fertilizer is expensive and why guess or take our word for what you need? Let the pros tell you so you don't make a mistake.
Definitely a good idea, for those of us that get their soil checked regularly, wondering how 10-10-10 would be spreader applied for a 20-20-20 equivalent.
If I recall correctly the last time I had my soil checked the results came back that I needed so many tons per acre of lime and I for get how much fertilizer. But it was all spelled out in the report. My top soil is thin and most of the limestone has been leached out over the years by acid rain. Your soil in Reston should be considerably better than mine.
You could try calling your cooperative extension service during business hours at (703) 324-5369 and ask them your question.
Reston this post reminded me - I did 10-10-10 on the lawn along with that natural stuff this year too. My landscaper told me the 10-10-10 would make the crape myrtles pop, and it did, and since it was so cheap I also tried it on the lawn. It liked it quite a lot. I have the same spreader, and since these are larger pellets than I’m used to - I was at around a 10 setting on the dial.
Then I want to Bluemont Nursery on Rt.7 near Landsdowne one day (looking for a new tree). I actually met the guy who owns the farm that supplies much of their stuff there. This was several weeks after the 10-10-10. He too has many crape myrtles, and told me the 10-10-10 goes fast, lasts maybe 30 days and then totally gone from the plant’s system. Instead, he told me slow release 14-14-14 for the crape myrtles. Said it feeds for 4 months. Tried it, and had even more success on the myrtles but then we got too hot and dry and they refused to bloom again. But the 14-14-14 is a lot more expensive, one bag was nearly $50 and would cover probably 4,000 sf smartly applied. So I skipped it for the lawn.
I think you’ll like the 10-10-10. I’ve yet to hear anyone complain about it. Our lawn stayed nice and green all summer long. Was it just the 10-10-10? Or a mix of that and that organic Home Depot stuff? I don’t know. But no areas of real trouble for us for the first time, while others around us struggled a bit.
Don’t believe they would want to deal with spreader settings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fisheye
If I recall correctly the last time I had my soil checked the results came back that I needed so many tons per acre of lime and I for get how much fertilizer. But it was all spelled out in the report. My top soil is thin and most of the limestone has been leached out over the years by acid rain. Your soil in Reston should be considerably better than mine.
You could try calling your cooperative extension service during business hours at (703) 324-5369 and ask them your question.
Great to hear. I had picked up several bags of 10-10-10 40lbs each on clearance for $7.
So applying it at spreader setting 10 would be equivalent to 10-10-10 and 2 passes would be closer to 20-20-20?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NC211
Reston this post reminded me - I did 10-10-10 on the lawn along with that natural stuff this year too. My landscaper told me the 10-10-10 would make the crape myrtles pop, and it did, and since it was so cheap I also tried it on the lawn. It liked it quite a lot. I have the same spreader, and since these are larger pellets than I’m used to - I was at around a 10 setting on the dial.
Then I want to Bluemont Nursery on Rt.7 near Landsdowne one day (looking for a new tree). I actually met the guy who owns the farm that supplies much of their stuff there. This was several weeks after the 10-10-10. He too has many crape myrtles, and told me the 10-10-10 goes fast, lasts maybe 30 days and then totally gone from the plant’s system. Instead, he told me slow release 14-14-14 for the crape myrtles. Said it feeds for 4 months. Tried it, and had even more success on the myrtles but then we got too hot and dry and they refused to bloom again. But the 14-14-14 is a lot more expensive, one bag was nearly $50 and would cover probably 4,000 sf smartly applied. So I skipped it for the lawn.
I think you’ll like the 10-10-10. I’ve yet to hear anyone complain about it. Our lawn stayed nice and green all summer long. Was it just the 10-10-10? Or a mix of that and that organic Home Depot stuff? I don’t know. But no areas of real trouble for us for the first time, while others around us struggled a bit.
I would not use it in the spring or summer given their is no slow release to it and I never use synthetic nitrogen in the spring or summer.
Which spreader and setting are you using?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBoy3
I have been using 10-10-10 for 40 years. I buy it with added nutrients (Bonanza).
I occasionally use late fall on lawn with Scotts broadcast. I load spreader and hit the driveway so I can see hit. I don't want too much.
10-10-10 can burn if used too late in spring. Never summer.
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