Question
My neighbor moved out, and left a pile of "stuff" at the curb to be hauled away today. I walked past and found a yellow plastic container with a shaker top about the size of a liquid laundry detergent bottle.  Sorry, I don't recall the name of description of the product, but it was at least 2/3rds full.  I grabbed it and put it in the corner of the garage when I drove to work today.  Now, I'd like to think through whether it's the right time to fertilize a lawn or not.  I know there is some discussion of fertilizing at odd times, and as we in SE Ohio are near the end of the growing season, it might be right... or is it.  I am sure this is a grass fertilizer and the label on the jug is complete... I just don't recall what it is and had no time to read it all through.  Can you help advise me?

Answer
OK... Let's go over this.

You found a container of Fertilizer.  I'll trust that you are certain this is Fertilizer and not a container of Mister Bubbles, Fab Laundry Detergent, Antifreeze etc.

Let's say you found the perfect container of premium Fertilizer.

Now let's say you want to make a Lemon Meringue Pie.  And instead of Fertilizer, you found a container of discarded Apple Sauce.  And you want to use the Apple Sauce in your pie.

But as we all know, you do not put Apple Sauce in Lemon Meringue Pie.

Let's look at your Soil.  Is it rich, nutrient-packed TopSoil?  Is it Grade A Number One Dirt?  Because that's what you need for a great Lawn.

Let's say you want to put it in your Flower garden.  Does your Soil NEED whatever's in the container?

Consider this:  If you put TOO MUCH of something -- not enough to burn the plants, but enough -- you can trigger deficiencies of OTHER nutrients.  That's not unusual.  It's not wacko science.  It's a fact.

Do you know how many people write to me complaining of deficiencies they can't fix in their Grass because no matter how much of 'x' they give their Grass, it's still deficient?

Sometimes it's a pH problem.  Other times it's too much Phosphorus, too much this, too much that.

I'm a firm believe in Vitamins.  I think we should all take LOTS of Vitamins.  Not Multivitamins.  That's for people who are easily confused.  I like to take Real vitamins from their own bottles.

But Grass Fertilizer is NOT Vitamins.  Taking too much Vitamin A won't give me a shortage of Iron.  But feeding too much Phosphorus or Calcium will lock up all the Magnesium and other nutrients for years to come.  Who needs that?????

That's just ONE scenario.  There are plenty, believe me.

And another thing: By definition, Fertilizers are chemical SALTS.  I don't have to tell you, an experienced Fertilizer afficionado, that salt is bad for Grass.

Here's something else you should know:  Most Soil has PLENTY of nutrients to grow Grass.  What you need is Organic Matter.  It boosts the Cation Exchange Capacity, improves fertility and tilth, and grows absolutely beautiful Grass.

Fertilizer?  Give it to the guys who move in across the street.  Maybe your local school can use it.  You don't want to use that stuff.  Man, it's the 21st century.  Lose it.  Don't use it.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER