Milorganite is the organic fertilizer obtained from recycled sewage. It contains 85% organic matter that helps nurture and nourish the vegetation in the gardens and lawns by feeding the soil’s microbes. It is manufactured by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, producing this fertilizer for many years.
The wastewater, which is collected is filtered to remove any contamination. Oxygen and microbes are then added to feed the organic materials in the wastewater.
Then the waste products start to separate from the clean water when the microbes form lumps, which drop to the bottom. At the moment, it becomes easy to separate organic matter from grey water.
Milorganite is rich in nitrogen, iron, and phosphorus and work like a long-term fertilizer. The organic matter is processed and then sold as a fertilizer.
The N-P-K code for each Milorganite bag is 6-4-0 or 5-3-0, referred to as the minimum nutritional value of 6%, 4% and less than 1% for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
When to Apply Milorganite
Before considering when to apply Milorganite, you should perform a soil test. This will help you know your current pH and nutrient level.
This way, you can save money by buying more Milorganite than running the Milorganite program. By analyzing when to apply Milorganite, you will find various schedules for the best time.
Typically, it is recommended to apply the fertilizer before the onset of the rain so that the fertilizer can be spread quickly in the soil and become effective when the rain starts. In addition to the correct application for Milorganite, know what type of grass is in your garden.
Grass That Is Losing Nutrients
It is a well-known fact that as plants and grass grow, the soil absorbs more nutrients to aid their growth process. But no matter how high-quality and new the soil is, it will happen.
Over time, the soil loses the fertility and requires more food from the nutrients in the Milorganite fertilizer. If your grass starts to turn colorless, dull, and bent, this is the time to apply Milorganite to replace nutrients lost.
Milorganite should be added to the soil during planting to speed up and enhance plant growth. A fall can be the best time to sow since the seeds germinate faster in warm soil.
When the months move on and the colder months ensue, the plants will continue to grow, nourishing from the fresh nutrients that the fertilizer provides to the soil.
New grass
Depending on the lawn and where you live, when you’re working on the new grass, you need to apply Milorganite. Before your garden begins to grow, you must mix this fertilizer with the first 5 cm of soil.
Once the grass is rooted and you have mow for about 3 times, you will need to apply Milorganite again. After these first two applications, follow the schedule, depending on the type of grass in your garden.
Warm-season grass
This type of grass includes St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Millipede grass grown in the South. If you have the warm-season lawn and want to leap best from Milorganite, the right time to apply it is between mid and late March.
Apply only when the grass starts to grow in spring. It is when it turns green, the temperature will stabilize at around 70 degrees.
You can apply Milorganite again from mid to late May when the lawn is thriving. At this point, there is a need for more nutrients to supplement vigorous growth.
The application can be made a third and fourth time in early September and October, respectively. You should avoid applying Milorganite in the fall as the lawn is preparing for dormancy.
Cool-season grass
This is the grass you will get in the North. It includes creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial and annual grass. It is recommended to apply Milorganite four times a year to keep it healthy and green.
Apply after the last frost, once the grass begins to grow and once the daytime temperature is constantly around 60 degrees. This is mostly from mid and early May, which is the best time to apply the first dose. Typically, this encourages proper roots growth and does not focus on the shoot growth.
The second time should be in early July, once the grass is thriving. The third application should be early September, and the last application is left as late, preferably in mid-November, just before frost.
Although Milorganite application around autumn is not recommended for the warm-season grass, the cool-season grass needs to be fertilized before the onset of heavy frosts. This will help your lawn to look healthier in spring.
It is advisable to schedule the application during holidays around the year. This will make tracking more straightforward and give you plenty of time to apply Milorganite.
What Milorganite Do for The Grass
All plants require sunlight, nutrients, and water to grow. Milorganite is different from many synthetic fertilizers in that it releases nutrients slowly. About 80 percent of the nitrogen contained in Milorganite is insoluble in water and is released to the roots through microbial activity.
For Milorganite to work, it need the right condition to work. This means Milorganite will provide nutrients to the grass when needed rather than all at once. If you work on the lawn and the conditions are unsuitable, the nutrients will settle where you put them until conditions are perfect.
Milorganite Application
- Water: You are supposed to water the soil 2 to 3 days before Milorganite application to keep it soft but allow the blades of grass to dry well. Likewise, watering before application helps in the aeration process.
- Aeration: You need to aerate the soil to create the holes for the microorganism to fall. This helps the fertilizer to penetrate the ground quickly and loosens compacted soil.
- Pour the Milorganite into the spreader: Place the spreader on the hard surface and pour Milorganite into the hopper. It would be best if you make sure the vents of the hopper are closed to prevent falling into the sidewalk.
- Spread the Milorganit: Place the far spreader end of your lawn, then open the vents and quickly pass over the yard to form a strip. Do this until the grass is fully covered.
- Add water: This time, the objective is not to make the soil soft but to wash away Milorganites from the blade of grass to facilitate its decomposition and release to the ground.
Conclusion
Milorganite is an important organic fertilizer, which is safe for use and essential for continuous grass nutrition. It supports growth and promotes green color.
Likewise, it is recommended to apply it before the rain starts. This will give grass good time to absorb Milorganite with enough water in the soil. Also, you need to understand the type of grass to know the right time for application.