Texas Tee 6-2-4 vs Ladybug 8-2-4 (organic fertilizers)?
Is Texas Tee 6-2-4 that much better, worse or different than Ladybug 8-2-4?
My application will be to an aerated mostly St Augustine lawn that was severely neglected of water and fertilizers last year.
Aeration has yet to occur but so far, visible weeds have been addressed with Weed B Gon MAX, pulled after browning over or weedwhacked from the bottom and trashed. The lawn (or remaining weeds) was then mowed at a high height. It's raining pretty good nowadays so I'm not watering yet.
I'm in Austin, TX. Are either one of these two fertilizers better than the other? I am also considering adding a thin layer of compost (dillo dirt) after aerating and placing one of these organic fertilizers.
Texas Tee is a great lawn fertilizer, and is superior to Ladybug 8-2-4 because of the ingredients.
I would not spread dillo dirt on the lawn. Dillo dirt is human waste, and contains traces of contamination from medications and food that people have been ingesting. Also, Dillo Dirt contains a high amount of phosphorous, and too much phosphorous can block the availability of other nutrients, like iron.
It is a good idea to get a professional opinion from an organic company. In general though, a compost spread should be used (a top dressing that includes cow manure). You can contact Geogrowers or natural gardener to get their lawn dressing mixes. Using cow manure on your lawn helps to increase beneficial bacteria in your soil and has been shown to reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as brown patch and take all root rot. Biozome, which also contains beneficial soil organisms is also a good product to use in your lawn and in all your garden beds. Fish and seaweed emulsions help to feed and activate the beneficial bacteria you add to your soil.
Another thing to keep in mind is the use of chemical weed killers on your lawn. Although they do not kill the blades of grass, these kinds of chemicals do change your soil makeup and often harm soil organisms that help to keep your grass looking good. I would just recommend pulling by hand and using organic fertlizers. Weeds, especially if you have a lot of the same weed, is an indication that the soil is lacking in certain nutrients.
So, if your yard is in really bad shape you might want to use a lawn spread, Texas Tee, Biozome, and then spray the lawn with fish and seaweed. At the very least use the Texas Tee.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Both are about the same and have a very low nitrogen content.
If you really want a good yard and honestly don't know how or what to apply, hire a company like TruGreen for at least 24 months. They have products and know how to solve almost any lawn problem, but it will not be quick. The offer organic fertilizer if needed.
Keep in mind, the roots can not distinguish nitrogen from organic or synthetic products. The plant needs nitrogen, and the more the better in most situations.
The price difference between you and them MAY be $50 per year. Now if you start to develop brown patch, you will be in the hole $75.
I have used TruGreen and Scott's for the past 10 years and my lawn is great, plus it frees up time for beer drinking.
Now go drink a cold one and head down to 6th Street for some fun.
References :
May 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Texas Tee is a great lawn fertilizer, and is superior to Ladybug 8-2-4 because of the ingredients.
I would not spread dillo dirt on the lawn. Dillo dirt is human waste, and contains traces of contamination from medications and food that people have been ingesting. Also, Dillo Dirt contains a high amount of phosphorous, and too much phosphorous can block the availability of other nutrients, like iron.
It is a good idea to get a professional opinion from an organic company. In general though, a compost spread should be used (a top dressing that includes cow manure). You can contact Geogrowers or natural gardener to get their lawn dressing mixes. Using cow manure on your lawn helps to increase beneficial bacteria in your soil and has been shown to reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as brown patch and take all root rot. Biozome, which also contains beneficial soil organisms is also a good product to use in your lawn and in all your garden beds. Fish and seaweed emulsions help to feed and activate the beneficial bacteria you add to your soil.
Another thing to keep in mind is the use of chemical weed killers on your lawn. Although they do not kill the blades of grass, these kinds of chemicals do change your soil makeup and often harm soil organisms that help to keep your grass looking good. I would just recommend pulling by hand and using organic fertlizers. Weeds, especially if you have a lot of the same weed, is an indication that the soil is lacking in certain nutrients.
So, if your yard is in really bad shape you might want to use a lawn spread, Texas Tee, Biozome, and then spray the lawn with fish and seaweed. At the very least use the Texas Tee.
References :