Knowledgebase
Organic No-Phos Fertilizer Options? #751703
Asked May 24, 2021, 9:11 AM EDT
Windsor County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Tim!
I don't see your soil test attached here, so am inferring that:
- Your lawn is quite large
- Phosphorous is high or excessive -- you are wisely trying to avoid adding any more (THANK YOU!)
- Potassium is low ... not sure how low....but it seems you want/need to add some
Potassium is persistent - doesn't wash away with rain...so I trust you won't add too much. (Just like phosphorus: have to wait for the lawn to take up the excess.) As you know: nitrogen does wash away, so your soil test results recommend adding some nitrogen regularly.
You're right: North Country Organics Pro-Booster is a nice organic fertilizer when you just want to add nitrogen (and support a VT company)....but it is expensive for large areas. Did you receive the "Interpreting Your UVM Soil Test Results" document with your soil report? (By Vern Grubinger, UVM Extension's Vegetable & Berry Specialist...revised on April 15, 2021.) If so: the last page has two very helpful charts on fertilizers (one on organic and one on synthetic). I have not had to invest in fertilizer for such a large area myself; so the cost factor has not been a critical one for me. I know that Chilean nitrate (in the chart: 15-0-2) is one of the ingredients in Pro-Booster....but I'm not sure what that costs nor how easy it is to find & buy.
Without knowing your personal decision-factors for your lawn: allow me to note that if you don't mind seeing clover in your lawn it's a great way to provide an ongoing supply of nitrogen. I added clover to my lawn (probably a smaller lawn that yours, but the seed wasn't terribly expensive at the time) and we actually enjoy it. Another very low-cost way to help your lawn green up and thrive is to simply set your lawn mower height high enough -- at least 2.5 inches....3 is very good....and allow the cut grass to mulch into your lawn. I scatter a bit of compost on my (small & favorite part of my lawn) each spring (compost is usually about 1-1-1...but full of microbes and organic matter)....just lightly so it isn't very visible. But my lawn has grown healthier every year...recent guests asked what my secret was and I realized how far the lawn has come since we bought the house. :-)
Finally: without knowing what you are trying to accomplish nor the specifics of your soil report: even if you add less-than-the-ideal amount of fertilizer....you can still help your lawn out. If you can prioritize sections: you could add a bit of Pro-Booster each season to different areas.
If I'm not coming close to helping you here: you could reply with your soil test attached. I can also request a copy...but that can take several days (partly due to the pandemic).
Hope this is helpful,
- Robilee Smith