Q. We applied Red Star steer manure as a topsoil during
overseeding tall fescue three days ago. Is it ok to apply granulated fertilizer
to this or should we wait longer?
overseeding tall fescue three days ago. Is it ok to apply granulated fertilizer
to this or should we wait longer?
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| Stinky Steer manure can be used for top dressing seed in a lawn or even vegetable garden but let it age |
A. So we are on the same page on this, you are spreading
some seed on your tall fescue lawn to increase its density, thickening up some
thin areas and maybe improving the look of your lawn because of some brown
spots or dead areas. Once the seed is spread and fertilizer is applied, you are
spreading a thin layer of steer manure as a “topdressing” (you are calling it
“topsoil”) to improve the germination of the seed. The best time to do all this
is from about mid-September to mid-October. It is getting late now.
some seed on your tall fescue lawn to increase its density, thickening up some
thin areas and maybe improving the look of your lawn because of some brown
spots or dead areas. Once the seed is spread and fertilizer is applied, you are
spreading a thin layer of steer manure as a “topdressing” (you are calling it
“topsoil”) to improve the germination of the seed. The best time to do all this
is from about mid-September to mid-October. It is getting late now.
Manure used for topdressing
Bagged
steer manure was used in the past as a topdressing for lawns when overseeding.
It was smelly but it worked well. Years ago, you knew it was fall overseeding
time because of the steer manure smell in the neighborhood. Now there are
commercial topdressing products available but bagged steer manure still works.
steer manure was used in the past as a topdressing for lawns when overseeding.
It was smelly but it worked well. Years ago, you knew it was fall overseeding
time because of the steer manure smell in the neighborhood. Now there are
commercial topdressing products available but bagged steer manure still works.
Rules for overseeding
In lawn
seed germination, a rule to follow for good seed germination when overseeding
lawns is good “soil and seed contact”. It is important that the seed applied is
in contact with the soil after the application is done. The steer manure or topdressing
was a “blanket” that pushed the seed down and helped keep the area moist.
seed germination, a rule to follow for good seed germination when overseeding
lawns is good “soil and seed contact”. It is important that the seed applied is
in contact with the soil after the application is done. The steer manure or topdressing
was a “blanket” that pushed the seed down and helped keep the area moist.
Make
sure the lawn is mowed as short as possible (for fescue I wouldn’t mow shorter
than one inch) and any debris on the soil surface (thatch) is disturbed or
removed. This is done with a dethatcher, power rake or verticutter. This can be
done by hand using a garden rake or gasoline driven if it’s a large area. For
best results you should see bare soil when you are finished.
sure the lawn is mowed as short as possible (for fescue I wouldn’t mow shorter
than one inch) and any debris on the soil surface (thatch) is disturbed or
removed. This is done with a dethatcher, power rake or verticutter. This can be
done by hand using a garden rake or gasoline driven if it’s a large area. For
best results you should see bare soil when you are finished.
After
the lawn has been “dethatched” is the best time to apply a starter fertilizer
for overseeding because it is high in phosphorus. This fertilizer is applied at
this time, so it lands on bare soil along with the seed used for overseeding. The
phosphorus is the part of the fertilizer you want on the bare soil because it
doesn’t help the seed as much if it is applied after the job is finished.
the lawn has been “dethatched” is the best time to apply a starter fertilizer
for overseeding because it is high in phosphorus. This fertilizer is applied at
this time, so it lands on bare soil along with the seed used for overseeding. The
phosphorus is the part of the fertilizer you want on the bare soil because it
doesn’t help the seed as much if it is applied after the job is finished.
Phosphorus fertilizer should be mixed into the soil
Remember this in the future. It’s the same fertilizer used in vegetable gardens
during soil preparation prior to seeding or planting vegetable transplants. The
final application is a thin layer of topdressing, in your case the steer
manure.
during soil preparation prior to seeding or planting vegetable transplants. The
final application is a thin layer of topdressing, in your case the steer
manure.
Applying
a starter fertilizer after it’s all finished is not the best but better than
nothing. Go ahead and apply it. It’s not optimum but it will do some good as
the seed is germinating and taking root.
a starter fertilizer after it’s all finished is not the best but better than
nothing. Go ahead and apply it. It’s not optimum but it will do some good as
the seed is germinating and taking root.