With spring rolling around soon, you may be starting the process of getting your lawn ready for this year.
That includes fertilizer, and not just deciding on which kind, but also when to apply it.
If you’ve already decided on the tried and true Milorganite but are still unsure about exactly when to use it, this article will go over the options so you can make the best decision for your yard.
The answer to the whether or not you should apply Milorganite before it rains question isn’t a direct yes or no. While it is okay to apply it before rain, it’s also essential that said rainfall isn’t too heavy, or it’ll wash the fertilizer away before it has a chance to soak in.
Since it can be difficult to predict precisely how heavy the rain will be, it’s best to apply your Milorganite when the weather calls for little to no rain for the next day or two.
This will ensure that none of your fertilizer will get washed away.
When Should You Put Down Milorganite?
A good time to apply Milorganite is after the last frost and once your grass is beginning to grow.
If you want to get more technical, waiting until the daytime temperature is consistently above 15 degrees Celsius is an excellent rule of thumb.
This will mean that your soil will be around 10 degrees, which is warm enough to start fertilization.
How Long Should Fertilizer Be Down Before it Rains?
While a little water can help speed up the absorption process, too much will wash it away before it has a chance to soak in. J
ust to play it safe, it’s a good idea to have the fertilizer down for a couple of days before the forecast calls for rain.
At least 36 hours is ideal, although longer is better.
Do You Water After Applying Milorganite
Milorganite is a fertilizer that doesn’t require watering after application, which is one of its unique and great features.
It is, however, a good idea to water your lawn a couple of days before Milorganite application so that your soil is damp.
While it isn’t at all necessary to water it after application, you can speed up the fertilization and absorption process by watering it very lightly. Just be careful not to overwater and wash it all away!
Will Rain Wash Away Milorganite?
Heavy rainfall soon after Milorganite application, unfortunately, will wash it away, yes. It’s okay if it drizzles lightly—and can even be a positive thing—but since it’s hard to predict just how heavy a rainfall will be, it’s best to just wait until the forecast calls for no rain at all. You don’t want your purchase to be put to waste.
Conclusion
While it is exciting to start the process of growing a beautiful yard, it does pay off to have some patience.
Planning out not only what you’ll use to fertilize but also when you’ll do it can really make a difference in how your lawn turns out.
Checking what the weather is supposed to do in terms of both temperature and precipitation is a great idea, and can help guarantee a wonderful start to this year’s yard.
It’s best to pick a stretch of a few cloud-free days to apply your Milorganite, to ensure that none of the product gets washed away by any potential rainfall.
If you do decide to fertilize right before a rainy day, try and make sure that it’s only supposed to sprinkle, not downpour. Your lawn will thank you for this—happy fertilizing!
Also read
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Should You Apply Milorganite Every Month?