Milorganite Organic Lawn Fertilizer Information

by Allyn on January 28, 2010

 

If you guys have spent any time around here, you know that I am a big fan of Milorganite for lawns. It is a great slow release fertilizer that also contains iron, and iron makes bluegrass lawns deep blue! But enough of that, read on and learn. A friend of mine wrote this quick review on Milorganite:

Milorganite Organic Lawn Fertilizer is natural slow-release organic nitrogen fertilizer. Proponents of organic slow release nitrogen fertilizers praise Milorganite for its slow delivery of naturally occurring microbial nutrients deep into the roots of the grass, a process they believe is preferable to the instant massive release of chemicals characteristic of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Synthetic chemical fertilizers carry with them the potential for burning the grass because of the large amounts of nitrogen and salts immediately unleashed upon application. Milorganite Organic lawn Fertilizer releases nutrients and minerals slowly and only as the grass is able to use and absorb them. Their release is actually triggered by the microbials in the grass itself when the grass needs to feed upon the organic fertilizer.

Milorganite is made from activated biosolids (sewage sludge) and contains 6% nitrogen, 2% phosporous and 0% potassium, lower ratios of each than the ratios contained in synthetically blended fertilizers, but more effective in feeding lawns, advocates say. The slow release characteristics of Milorganite guarantees groundwater is not polluted by fertilizer runoff into creeks, lakes and rivers.

The absence of salt content in Milorganite Organic Fertilizer prevents the drying and burning of lawns, particularly in the hot summer months, something which can occur with quick releasing fertilizers you find on the shelves of local big box stores.

The presence of 4% iron in Milorganite also creates a deeper green in lawns than synthetic chemical fertilizers and helps build a deeper underlying root system or turf, rather than simply increase the height of the grass itself from a thin root base, a common effect of synthetic chemical fertilizers. This results in a healthier lawn overall and one that does not require extra mowing as a result of rapidly growing grass leaves, or rampant “top growth,” a typical result of applications of synthetic chemical fertilizers.

Milorganite Organic Fertilizer is child and pet safe and releases no dust into the atmosphere, which could be inhaled by people and pets, and which diminishes the actual amount of fertilizer that actually is available to treat the lawn.

A 50-pound bag of Milorganite will treat 3100 square feet of lawn and does not require watering in. Watering in will make the fertilizer more quickly available to the grass and the grass will show faster results from the fertilizer application, but it is not required. Because it is essentially “dust free,” Milorganite Organic Fertilizer will not blow off the grass in windy weather prior to rainfall or watering, which drives the fertilizer into the roots and allows the roots to “feed” on the available nutrients.

Milorganite Organic Fertilizer is widely available at nurseries and garden centers and is one of the most popular natural organic fertilizers on the market. If you are looking to “go green” with your lawn care regimen, give Milorganite a shot.

Wanna know when is the best time to put down Milorganite? How about an entire year’s fertilizer treatment schedule? Get my e-book and learn it! Organic Lawn Fertilizer Schedule

 

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Mike May 2, 2011 at 7:57 pm

Is Milogranite good for killing weeds as well as fertilizing?

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Yard Care Man May 2, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Hi Mike,
Milorganite is just a fertilizer. It won’t do anything against weeds.

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Dan May 2, 2011 at 9:04 pm

Is it safe for dogs and children… is it all-natural? Do you just apply it once… or multiple times?

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Yard Care Man May 6, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Hi Dan – I don’t use the word “safe” because nothing is “safe” for everyone.
you usually apply it in spring and fall.

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Garry May 4, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Is Milorganite similar to Ringers ?
Is putting it down right after Aerating a good idea ???

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Yard Care Man May 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm

similar in the fact that it is organic and it is a biosolid. but milorganite has iron in it also which is an advantage. and yep, right after aeration is a great time to apply

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Robert Gutierrez June 13, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Since Milorganite is just a fertilizer then what is the best product to apply for the weeds and how often should it be applied?

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Stephanie July 4, 2011 at 1:49 pm

Hello, I have two small dogs and yellowing from urine is a problem. Would miloranite be good for this? Do you have another sugesgestions?

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Patrick August 5, 2011 at 9:20 am

I don’t want to use the chemical fertilizers anymore. I have been trying to get Ringers Lawn Restore, but I live in the People’s Republic of Minnesota, where nothing is allowed. In other words, that product is banned here. Is Milorganite a comparable fertilizer? If not, what would you recommend?

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Patrick August 5, 2011 at 9:23 am

Great…I just read that I probably won’t be able to purchase this product anywhere in Minnesota either. I think it is the phosphorous that our “nanny state” has deemed evil.

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Yard Care Man August 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm

I think it is more about the heavy metals. I was not aware it was banned there.

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Damien August 25, 2011 at 7:31 am

I live in Michigan and a couple of golf course grounds keepers said their secret was to lay down milorganite in late November / early December. I’ve been doing this for about 15 years to my lawn and we’ve had the best looking one each spring. Since it works so well, I’ve cut down on using any weed-b-gone by 75%.

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Yard Care Man August 27, 2011 at 7:59 am

great advice Damien and I completely agree!

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