TMD Mar18

When should I fertilize my hayfields and pastures?

Spring is right around the corner and grass summer grasses are starting to break their winter dormancy.  So do you go ahead and fertilize now or wait a couple of weeks?  Those that fertilized early back in 1996 were the only ones that had grass during the summer because of the drought.  But that was unusual circumstances.  

Bermuda and most other summer grasses really don't start growing well until night-time temperatures stay above 60-65 degrees for a couple of weeks.  We're not there yet.  This week is shaping up to be down in the 40's at night.  

On the average, I would say around the middle of April would be the time to fertilize your hayfields and pastures but that can vary every year.  Things to consider are temperature and rainfall.  If we have rain and it warms up a little, then your grass will be ready.

Now would be a good time to contact us or your fertilizer dealer to get your place on the schedule.  It never hurts to plan ahead a little and get a date set to have your place fertilized because there is usually about a 1-2 week waiting list in April and May.

My quote of the week comes from E.M. Kelly.  It reads, "The difference between a boss and a leader:  A boss says, "Go!" - a leader says, "Let's go".