Fertilizing after lawn aeration

Drip · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Plano,TEXAS

I'm fairly new to the organic scene and while I've been organic for a little less than a year, I figured I would jump start the process with a lawn aeration.

Afterwards I plan on spreading compost and dry molasses over the lawn.

1. Should I add anything else?
2. Can I dump everything into a fertilizer spreader and apply it that way?

Thanks...

Nadine · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 1162 Location: Carrollton,TEXAS

You can just do the compost alone. The compost will not go through a spreader. Not if it's any good (unless it is in the form of humate).

What I do: Buy in bulk locally. (For me: http://soilbuildingsystems.com/). Starting at the farthest place away from and working back to the source of compost (my pickup truck) so that I do not have to go over a bunch of "hills,” dump a little out every foot or so, depending upon how much gets dumped. Then I take a rake and spread each pile from the middle out in each direction. You might want to start with a just a couple small piles so you can determine the amount of compost to dump and how often. Just spread it out with a rake and see how far it will go.

I like to spread it about an inch thick in a 4” Saint Augustine lawn. Just do not cover the grass completely, especially in the spring. It is a great workout! Your water bills will be lower, too! :wink:

Drip · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Plano,TEXAS

Thanks!

khwoz · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 771 Location: Weatherford,TX

If you want to save on the workout (and since you are in Plano) ck out Well's Brothers. They rent compost spreaders. The molasses will spread with any whirly spreader as long as it's dry If it got moist & clumpy you will have a lot of fun breaking it up.

Nadine · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 1162 Location: Carrollton,TEXAS

Dry compost seems strange to me, but that's just MHO. Unless it is in the form of humus. Then, I do not think it is "alive" as compost that is more moist. Something to think about. Let us know how the compost spreader works if that is the method you decide upon.

The workout you get from doing it the way I do is great! One thing to note: it is much easier to move compost with a pitch fork than with a shovel!

Nadine · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 1162 Location: Carrollton,TEXAS

:oops: KWOZ was referring to dry molasses, not dry compost. I apologize for my assumption. I should have known better!

Dry molasses can sure get clumpy when exposed to moisture. My experience is that once you get a chunk broken or penetrated, you can take your hands and crush it back to it's "original" state. It's fun, too and you smell really good after doing so. It'll turn your hands brown. Use it on the rest of your body as a self-tanner. :lol: