David Kopec, Extension Turfgrass Specialist
Ever need a quick fix for turf growth? Here is a fertilizer solution that contains all essential nutrients plants need to grow. It's a modification of a greenhouse nutrient solution used for growing plants in water culture. It has everything your turf needs. It is not necessary to buy technical or laboratory grade materials. You should be able to buy all the six ingredients at a local fertilizer dealer. You may have to order the potassium phosphate. Do not substitute ferrous sulphate for the cheleated iron as specified. Do not mix more than what is listed. The availability of nutrients is partially dependent on the relative amount of nutrients when mixed together.
Product Formula Analysis Ounces/50 gallons
1. Potassium Nitrate KNO3 (13.75-0-44) 3.6
2. Calcium Nitrate Ca(NO3)2 (15.5-0-0) 8.5
3. Potassium Phosphate KH2Po4 (0-53-34) has 9.5 ounces
4. Magnesium Sulphate MgSo4 (0-0-0) has 11% Mg 3.6 ounces
and 13% Sulphur
5. Sequestrene 138 ----- (from Ciba Geigy) 0.25 ounce
Iron Chelate
6. Soluble Trace Element Mix ----- (S.T.E.M.) from Peters 1/4 tsp. only
Fill the sprayer tank with 25 gallons of water. Add the first three products to the tank and agitate. Add products 5 and 6 and agitate again. Mix product 4 in a five gallon pail of hot water, stir until dissolved and add to the sprayer tank. Top off the tank with water to 50 gallons. Leave the agitator on. Repeat the amounts for each 50 gallons used (which depends on tank size).
After you mix the solution, apply approximately 1/4-1/2 inches of the fertilizer solution with the hose end or flood nozzle of the sprayer. You can mix up enough fertilizer solution to fill a large 100-250 gallon spray tank. Apply the solution every other day for 10-12 days and the turf will respond quickly. This can be used effectively for the following areas or conditions.
(1) Damaged/worn spots on greens.
(2) Damaged clean up strips on greens or tees.
(3) Heavy divots on tees.
(4) Sodded areas that took a beating.
(5) High profile areas around the clubhouse.
(6) Practice tees, greens that have thin areas.
(7) Turf or weed samples in pots.
You can keep "brand new" 32 gallon dark green plastic pails of the solution (with a watering can inside) for daily application to weak tees and greens. Just sprinkle these areas once per day. Because of the high volume of water, the fertilizers should not burn.
If you have a gram scale, multiply ounces by 29, and this will give you the same amount of fertilizer needed in grams/50 gallons.
**Products are not endorsed, nor is exclusion implied. Products are selected to meet specific nutrient ratios for a total and complete nutrient solution**
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.