Plant food for lawns ?

[Estrella]

I was tidying my shed yesterday and unearthed an unopened bag of of Miracle Gro soluble plant food. They are soluble blue/green crystal type things.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could use this to feed my lawn as I dont have any pot plants worth bothering with. The box makes no comment about lawns, so I wasn't sure whether it would be OK. Any suggestions ?

 

[JohnD]

most people don't bother feeding lawns. If you dilute it well, it will probably make the grass very green for a short time, and grow fast, so then you will have to cut it, and it will soon be back to normal. It is likely to cause soft lush growth, so don't apply it in Autumn.

You might do better to give it to someone who has plants. Or you could use it on your tomatoes or flowering plants in the garden.

 

[Estrella]

Cheers John,

Although I would like to question this.

most people don't bother feeding lawns.

If that is the case, why are the sheds full of lawn food, weed n feed etc etc. Also, isn't this how companies like Greenthumb make a living?

 

[roberta1000]

most people don't bother feeding lawns.

That's true I suppose because most people don't care what their patch of rough turf looks like (generally the sort of people who like concrete posts ). People who do definitely do feed them but normally of course with a slow-release feed of some sort.
I agree though that 'Miracle Gro' would be a bad idea.

 

[oilman]

Ha! I don't do concrete posts. I do like some of the "lawn" to look reasonable to sit on. I haven't used any feed for over 20 years, and the damn grass still needs cutting every week.

If you feed the lawn, the weeds grow too. To get rid of the weeds just needs a management change. Make sure the pH is high enough so the grass can out compete the weeds, this can be adjusted by applying lime. Sprinkle some white clover seed, which will provide nutrients for the grass, and in the summer will provide food for bees, and will keep a bit of green available when all else turns brown. Most significantly cut it longer not shorter.

 

[allanlaw]

Cutting it longer.......

I think thats where im going wrong, i just got a atco lawnmower, which i dont think was the correct mower for my lawn. it has 5 settings on it, if i cut it at level 5 hardly any grass comes off and there's alot of loner bits that it misses.

If i cut it using level 4, it looks better but the grass losses its colour ie kills it for a few days or so.

my lawn is a bit bumpy at present too which doesnt help.

whats my best way to go?:

[ ] stick to level 4

[ ] stick to level 5 for a few seasons then goto level 4

[ ] buy a cheaper lawnmower

thanks allan

 

[oilman]

If it's a cylinder mower I would get a rotary one. Cylinders are good for bowling and golf greens, but that's a different world. Rotary mowers will cut all the straggly bits, and they're much cheaper to maintain. I used to have an Atco, magnificent machine, but now I think it was a money waster.

 

[JohnD]

If i cut it using level 4, it looks better but the grass losses its colour ie kills it for a few days or so.

how often do you cut it?

is the cylinder sharp? (it should cut a strip of newspaper when rotated by hand)

what height is 4?

 

[allanlaw]

Its a atco cylinder electric machine

ill check the height and get back to you, its only 2 years old, but the red paint is comming off the blade!