(newbie 1st post, just completing year-one change from synthetic to organic fertilizers, location North Texas DFW metro)
Sharing my plan from last fall "year zero" for anyone considering adoption of the organic turf program: 1. Lightly fertilized with the synthetic fert. had been using (figuring the soil microbe activity hadn't been built yet). 2. Found several local big box/small box hardware stores and feed stores that carry organic products. 3. Applied dry molasses 20 lbs/1,000 sq ft (took the effort to measure the turf area accurately, very imp. step). 4. Applied 20 lbs/1k corn gluten meal. 5. Applied 10 lbs/1k balanced low N-nitrogen+high K-potassium fall fertilizer. 6. Applied 10 lbs/1k dry 35% humic acid. 7. Mulched all autumn leaves into the turf with mower (never did before, usu. had 40+ bags on 8,200 sq ft lawn).
Notes: - this may sound like a big investment but was attempting to overcome 20+ years of syn fertilizers - the st augustine turf growth stopped on time, but remained green longer than usual into December - following year-one spring green-up started right on time, and all of the mulched leaves broke down nicely - continued organic program into year-one with super results (all lbs per 1k): - 3-seasonal applications of dry molasses (3x20), corn gluten meal (2x20, spring+fall) and blended organic fertilizers (3x25) - one-time soil amendment applications of zeolite (20), lava sand (75), 35% humic acid (10), and sul-po-mag (5)
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