Having been a former Golf Course Superintendent and now in the municipal wastewater field. The concerns of synthetic fertilizers made from the oil versus reclaimed biosolids as resource that has amazing benefits is almost undeniable. I had used this product as a secret weapon as a Superintendent. Most could not believe how the first week a good weather i could have such amazing looking turf. Microbes work on soil temperature and are releasing nitrogen at the rate the plant can take up. It is obvious to most that leaching of Fert and Chem products in the environment is real. Alge blooms in the water sheds of golf courses in evident even as most don't talk about it. Fert and Chem is how we achieve amazing conditions in very high traffic turf businesses but if we could save all the CO2 of make synthetics. If we could save from using harmful Fungicides that fight diseases like snowmold, anthracnose and dollar spot, that bio fert fights against. And at the same time reduce the incineration of biosolids to atmosphere and just trucking to landfills. Besides Milorganite there has few use cases except land application on existing farmlands. Which is far less refined than milorganite. I see Milorganite as the only solution with the greatest value add. And as we wake up to electric vehicles, solar and the such as viable alternatives. Consider the all the benefits of Milorganite. To say it's for first timers and not pros is far from the truth and the real world benefits of the product.
Never said it wasn’t for pros. Just said it’s a great product for beginners to learn with because you get the benefit of great results without the fear of burning the lawn. Like I said, I think it’s a great product. I’ll never deny the results it provided me. It’s just gotten too expensive over the last few years to justify the cost, and my soil doesn’t need the P.
You will be able to save yourself a lot of time and frustration by getting a text on the principles of turf grass management. While it’s good that you’ve decided to do a soil test, levels of NPK are only the start. pH and CEC result will give you a much better idea of your soil health. I’ve used Milorganite for over 30 years and love it, but like any other tool you have to know how to use it properly. One pound of N a month is more than excessive, it borders on toxic. Good luck with your turf this season.
LCN got me started on my journey like most. Mulching, dethatching/core aerating, and milorganite alone have boosted my lawn to one of the best in the community. But now, it's time for me to get smarter and get to the next level. This video is a start!
Been using Miloganite for years. It built me a great lawn, and for that i'm thankful. Milorganite is essentially the training wheels for the beginnings of DIY fertilization. Eventually though, we all need to understand how all that Phosphorous ends up getting bound up in the soil as well as metals etc. Throw down Milo for a few seasons to build up soil micobiology, but DO A SOIL TEST to see what is going on with your soil. There is no magic bullett in lawn care and the more you research and understand soil, the more you will see that. Lawns need Potassium to ward of diseases, where Milo is deficient. Carbon x fert and N-ext products have built me a beautiful lush thick stand of turf that is untouchable in my neighborhood. A mix of organics as well as synthetics ( at low doses) has worked wonders for my lawn.
Milo is still nice just because of the sheer amount of product you get to put through your spreader....makes it easy to ensure even coverage. Would be nice if there were more reasonably priced products with higher lbs per thousand....but it just doesn't make sense economically/logistically. I too will be looking for some alternatives for this season...
Because the lawn (infomercial) youtubers are on a trend to use crap tests (yard mastery) that indicate crap info to enable using other niche products that make them more money.
@@BrodeyDoverosx seeing alot of that!!! ALOT!!! From wetting agents to whatever garbage they can try and pass off on people to earn their affiliate commissions.
@@BrodeyDoverosx I don't even purchase the products thru their links and they're working wonders on my lawn. if done right the products they push work great. it's not always about the commission if you know how to get around it.
The biggest issue is people don’t knkw the application rates. I double up on the recommended application rate and have hd the greenest lawn on the block. I had true green and others ask me what was I doing because their customers were complaining that my lawn looks better than theirs. Is it all you need to do? No- but in combination with spraying a couple other things is all you need to do-
*milorganite is the best fertilizer you can use for you lawn if you follow the instructions, I been using this fertilizer for the past five years and I tell you I have the nicest lawn in my neighborhood*
I use Milorganitea great seed starter also and putting Scotts truff builder fertilizer answers killer I wait a month after and then shoot with milorganite turn dark green and helps the soil. Weeds gone all grass no brown spots and no weeds.
Unfortunately, Miloganite has been shown to have polyfluoroalykl substances which can not be removed from your soil. There are lots of great alternatives.
Great content! I agree Milo is a great starter Fert for rubies like me but as you begin to appreciate the nuances of lawn care and the value of soil testing, one must consider all of the options that are best suited for your turf. Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for posting/sharing. On our St. Augustine grass, in south Florida. The following setup works great for us. We get deep green, fast growing grass (thanks to Jerry Baker) by adding Epsom salt. I look for the cheapest fertilizer (on clearance/broken taped bags) at HD, Lowes, anywhere. Add a 2lbs of epson salt (walmart - pharmacy dept.) to half the bag. Spread with hand crank spreader (our lawn is extremely big). Have the mower ready with a sharp blade in good running condition. That mix is like steroids, grass grows fast.
Well, I use milorganite. Also Scotts turf builder weed & feed, and 12-12-12. And I get all kinds of compliments, nice dark green and thick as a carpet...
My parents used Milorganite for years and I picked it up from them. Been using for decades now, as recommended on the bag - Easter, Memorial Day, Forth of July, Labor Day, and would use now if I could get it. I can't and switched to a similar Pennington product called ProCare. It's not quite strong, 4-3-0 as opposed to Milorganites 6-4-0. Both have iron in the mix. I live in Houston, TX and our heavy clay soil is deficient in potassium, so I do use a fertilizer with that element in it for the fall before the grass quits growing. Seems to work just fine here.
Great video! I am a beginner and just threw down 32 lbs of Milo in less then 1,000 sq ft. We will see what happens lol. I too have a hard time understanding how to weight the amount per sq footage. Example it mentions to use 6.5 lbs for every 500 ft. Well regardless of the spreader setting 6.5 lbs is nothing an the spreader is empty way before I can cover the 500 sq. ft.
This just seems sad and a little dumb. Kind of hard to believe what this guy did (failed to start with soil test) and decided to make a reaction video off of it.
I have to agree. I've used Milo for four years now and use it as instructed with no problems. I'm not new to lawn care and will NEVER use Scots or any other chem fertilizer
I agree 100% with you. I used milo for a few years, starting out with a terrible 2 acre yard. It was looking great but just never seemed healthy. Last 2 years I couldn't get enough milo to keep it going. So after realizing I've learned how to calibrate for the weeds, just calibrate for fertilizer. Did a soil test, figured out what I needed, a year later my lawn is beautiful and looks healthy. The same as you, very high P. Milo is a great stepping stone but the soil and root growth are the keys to a healthy lawn. I don't use all these high dollar ferts that everybody talks about. I get most of my stuff from my local ag center.
I started using Milorganite in 2011. Way before I knew who the LCN was. I used to get it on sale for $6.99/bag until a couple years ago. I completely stopped 2 years ago when the price doubled and my local source stopped carrying it (Menards). I've since learned Milorganite is not a good organic solution because its pasteurized sludge and all the microbial activity is killed. I've found a MUCH better solution that has turned my lawn and soil structure around.
Great video! I started my lawn care journey two years ago. Following LCN and using Milo. It was great for a beginner. This season however, i got away from Milo. I still have 6 bags saved for a rainy day tho. I am now confident in throwing down, and like to see what different products do to my lawn. But Milo started it all for me, and i will always recommend it to a beginner.
I still get Milo delivered right to my garage for $11.00 a bag after shipping and tax from HD. The Menards knock off is about $8.99 but I have to pick it up and the prill is larger. I like Milo it has been a staple supplement in my lawn since 2007.
That's a great deal, especially with shipping and tax included. Are you buying in bulk? Unfortunately, deals like that aren't available everywhere. I just checked online and it looks like HD is asking $15.98/bag and delivery is not available to me, nor is it available in my local store.
Milorganite is unavailable in Canada. I find that applying a good slow release fertilizer three times a year will give you excellent results on a lawn. Do not try and push it through summer dormancy. Focus on watering during the heat, add a moisture retention product if possible.
I think the lesson here should be that Milorganite has its place in a lawn care regimen but shouldn’t be the only product that is used. It was great when it was $8/bag. It’s $15/bag in my area now and I only use it when the temperatures are high and I’m concerned with burning the lawn (usually the Memorial Day and July 4th feeding times). Every feeding doesn’t need to supply microbial nutrients and it’s more cost effective to use synthetics.
Nice Lawn. I still use Milorganite and I alternately apply it with Pure Organics which has no phosphorus, but have Pottasium in it. I do my application every six weeks, so I get consistent Nitrogen and some Pottasium or Phosphorus every other application. So far so good..
Amen Brother! I am 100% on the same page. I used a few left over bags of Milorganite last year and I am not using any this season. Going with Carbon Earth Co products this year and RGS.
I'm curious, as I'm also in SE MI... Where are you getting it for that? (And you're talking 32lb bag?) Most places I've seen are $14 or higher, unless on sale (and even then it's marginally cheaper).
So I just came across this video and took a deep look at the Soil Savvy results, from quickly looking at the NPK ranges - Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf growth by encouraging the production of chlorophyll, which is a chemical vital to photosynthesis. Phosphorus helps your lawn develop healthy roots and stems. Potassium Supporting Root Development; this will help strengthen your lawn by firmly rooting grass into the soil to create a route of nutrient uptake to ensure overall health. This aids in winter survival as well as helping it look great in spring Looking at the Micronutrients section You are also a bit low on target area Soil testing is the most effective way to determine its pH level, any micronutrients that are lacking, and the best fertilizer for the lawn. For vigorous grass growth, make two to four applications of fertilizer, each at a rate of no more than one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn. Deeply watering the lawn a few days prior to fertilizing, only applying fertilizer when grass blades are dry and then watering the lawn lightly to wash fertilizer off of grass blades and down to the soil minimizes potential injury to grass blades and roots. I wish you the best with your yard
Doesn't it though! I was fixing supper listening to this video and he said "and I was using a LOT of Milorganite" and that's exactly what I thought! Like he was shooting it or something!
I’m limiting my Milo apps to just the summer application. $18 a bag here so just the one app of that, and I think the summer would be the best bet as I want to still stay away from synthetic in the heat.
Yup. I can get away with just 2 bags to give me 1/2 lb of N, which combined with the Next products should get me through the summer. That’s the plan at least, we’ll see in time 😁
I just put some down today. I picked it up for $10/bag. I am only using one application of it for the year which should last until the end of August. My soil has enough phosphorus so I mostly use Lesco without phosphorus.
I like to throw down some Milo and follow it up a few weeks later with just a light application of urea. I seems to help utilize the iron in the Milo and gives me an amazing green with out super excessive growth. Thanks for the Vid!
I started following LCN just like you and everyone else 6 years ago. The same situation with Milo in our lawn . It’s awesome to learn from the community. Most of all our grass is SWEET ! Thanks for your videos.
Did LCN ever address the issue of people using Milo and then ending up with excessive amounts of phosphorus in their soil? After reading these comments and my personal experience along with some neighbors, seems to be a recurring theme...
I’m not sure if he’s addressed it specifically. It really comes back to soil testing and being willing to open up your strategy to other products. I’ve also since learned that my soil is naturally high in phosphorus, so there isn’t really any need for me to be applying products with P anyways.
@@JimmyLewisMows No ... because the stuff works great on St. Augustine down here in Florida. You just can't go wrong with the stuff. The sound of my lawn growing is keeping me awake at night!!!!
Milorganite is awesome. My lawn is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay greener than my neighbors'. I'm sure that my next door neighbor goes nuts trying to achieve my success in greendom.
I inherited a lawn a couple hours south of yours. It has had nothing put on it for 2 years. It tested "adequate" phosphorus. I think you may have misattributed the high P to Milorganite? May just be the nature of the local soil. I too will be using a X-0-X fertilizer. Your Ca and Mg are "off the charts" because of the hard water in the area.
I can get a no name brand that isn't labeled the same. It comes in 50 lb bags i belive and its very slow acting product But keep in mind you may want to use other products with it to lower the pH. Im thinking of using a spray on fertilizer for ease of use and coverage. Just need to build a sprayer type pull behind system.
I use Milorganite in the fall when it’s available and on sale, after dethatching and overseeding with great results. Not the best product for spring application though in my experience.
I saw milo at Home Depot in Columbus Ohio last weekend at $16.99/bag. Thats too much. I have a half acre. 7-8 bags 3-4 times a year. I will go back to synthetics! Great vid btw.
I'm glad to hear all your information was based off of a soil test.,A soil test for lawns is no different than a blood test for a humans...facts are facts...no guess work as to the analysis/issues.. Thanks for the video
If you're a beginner (or a pro), do a yearly soils test. Best money you'll spend on your garden. As for Milorganite and any other sewage sludge product, be very leery of heavy metals/pesticides/chemicals. Plenty of horror stories about farmers using similar 'cheap' fertilizer and turning their fields into hazardous waste sites.
Did the same as well Jimmy. Started using NeXT products with CarbonX and had even better results, that lasted longer. Great video - loved the multiple camera angles - very professional :-) Nicely done buddy
I’ve limited the Milorganite that I use because my phos levels are higher than the other macros. Also their parent company MMSD dumps a lot into the lakes when they can’t handle the demand so there’s that 🤨I couldn’t have said it better myself though, test your soil and apply what is actually required for your lawn!
Jimmy Lewis every few months a similar story like this pops up. fox6now.com/2018/08/31/mmsd-dumps-nearly-30m-gallons-of-combined-sewer-storm-water-into-lake-michigan-after-heavy-rain/
And I live 30 minutes from Milwaukee so they are local to me and I get it for $7 a bag so yeah I could go nuts with high app rates without breaking the bank if I really wanted to lol.
Jimmy Lewis you should have seen my face when I saw it on sale for $5.99 a bag last spring 🤣. I only did two applications earlier on but after that I switched to lesco.
I use milorganite along with fast nitrogen. 10-10-10 in the spring, then milorganite, then small doses of urea (I have leftover from my corn crop and it's 46-0-0) for nitrogen every few weeks.
FYI, Menards (also a Wisconsin company) sells a very close alternative house brand for about $9. I will start with that and see how it does. Agreed that it makes no sense to buy Milorganiye, especially at the Amazon price of approx $48 right now! Natural Lawn Fertilizer - 2,500 sq. ft. Model Number: 260-1210 Menards® SKU: 2601210
Never used Milorganite I usually use starter fertilizer in spring with overseeding and then just use DR IRON 22% iron as a supplement get a really dark green color without having the excess growth that's my strategy works amazing I am from Canada grass being used is Kentucky BLUE
Totally agree with you! I’m planning to only supplement this season with Milo. I’m planning on primarily leveraging Carbon-x and the Green County liquids! I definitely need to get a soil sample in the spring. Thanks for the vid Jimmy!
Milorganite became popular a couple of years ago? Where have you been it was popular back in 99-2000.... I stopped using it back then because it got too expensive. Phosphorus is always high in soil samples , most of it is unavailable to the plant . It’s been illegal in NY to apply a phosphorus fertilizer unless it’s a new install , a soil test indicates it is low, or it’s a spot lawn repair.
I was eager to use this product on the lawn at my new house, but then I decided not to for the same reason as you. My soil test came back with too much phosphorus, 66 ppm. Maybe the previous owners were hooked on Milorganite!
I'm dialing back the Milo this year, actually not using it at all. I have had serious rust disease issues ever since I started using the product. I'm convinced it's from the iron in the product. Switching to synthetics early spring and xgrn from GCI for summer and fall.
Greetings from Texas, Jimmy! Great to see someone finally using their platform to inform everyone that as great as Milo is, it may be the wrong product for your lawn simply because of the macros. I've been preaching this same "common sense" fact for a couple of years and getting flamed for it. 🔥 It was incredible how much better my turf looked when I started using the right macros for my soil.
Can I put it down in the heat of the summer, I really just want to green up my lawn and thicken it a bit but I really don't need it to grown in the heat, Thank you for sharing your video.
Carbon X, Xgreen, and next bio stimulant 4 pack...all ya need for a season of incredible looking grass. Also spring and fall weed control and insect control... Nice video Jimmy. I also am shying away from Milorganite due to the phosphorous issue.
The Milorganite folks got greedy. Anything over $10 a bag is expensive for what is essentially dried poo! I use it once a year in the springtime, then I just use a cheap lawn tonic (monthly) made from household ingredients. The biggest improvement in my St Augustine lawn was cutting twice a week and cutting it high ... the highest setting on my Troy Bilt.
Since you had high phosphorus levels how was your root growth? And how will it be affected using no phosphorus? Will you eventually have to go back to a phos containing product
Definitely going to monitor root growth. My understanding is the soil in my area contains phosphorus, so that's helpful as well. If I need to add phosphorus down the road, no big deal, because the soil will need it. It's all about learning from the soil test results and adjusting strategies to give the soil what it needs.
My lawn has a lot of weeds in it. Moles ran through it also. I bought some weed and feed today, but should I put it down first before the Miloganite? I do have a bag of Restore also. This is new to me. It needs help!!
Weed and feed will be fine. If you want to use Milorganite, wait about 6-8 weeks after the weed and feed. Make sure to follow directions on the label for weed and feed.
Good call. It is a great product however to much hype. I would still use it but say on a backyard that allot of kids play in. I would not use it every application but just sometimes to keep things going with a safe product.
You make a good point. I'm from the Milwaukee area and grew up watching my dad and grandpa using milo. I did my first soil test showing high Phosphorus and will not be using the stuff this year. Though, I will miss that smell of success.
I will always use milo, but I only use it to supplement in the spring and fall at a reduced rate and I use it at a heavy rate in my landscaped areas for the plants. My main fert after a shot of 10-10-10 to start things off is Carbon X and GCF products.
Don't know if its coincidence but after I used milorganite I got a severe case of basket grass that invested a 6'x6' patch before I could figure out what it was so I could treat it.
Milorganite has been around for a very long time and suddenly people have re-discoverd it. I would love to know what his issue is with phosphorus as that is very helpful in developing the root systems of grass. I know some states seem to have labeled phosphorus as "bad".
Phosphorus hasn't been given any negative labels in my state. However, the soil here I've since learned naturally contains high levels of P. Like I said, I was applying Milorganite pretty heavily, and I was seeing increases in P levels in my soil test results. So I decided to stop using Milorganite in favor of products with little to no P.
@@JimmyLewisMows Yes I did see that part about high levels. Here in NY State I believe they only want us using phosphorus free anything.....potash ok, iron ok, but pretty sure they required that, thus my question. Thanks for the info just the same, always good to learn different ideas on lawncare.
Thanks. Yes I would absolutely recommend supplementing potassium when using Milo. Potassium is a very important macronutrient that the grass plant requires. Planning a video around that actually.
I agree man, I was paying $11 bucks here in West Jordan. Once it hit $16 bucks I was done with it. Went to all liquid products from Greene county and never going back. Bio stimulate pack with 7-0-0 and 18-0-1 did amazing for my yard. Never seen such great results before.
Was your lawn looking different as the reason for soil testing? Never used milorganite but thinking about it this year. I’m in Mississippi. Good video.
It's a good product. I didn't notice any physical difference in the lawn's appearance, I just became interested in the results of a soil test and went from there , really.
Hey I appreciate your comments in this video. I did a complete lawn renovation and started my lawn over again with Kentucky Bluegrass. Prior to lawn renovation was was using Milorganite. I was already thinking about getting a soil test in the spring and no your video gave me confirmation. Thank You
Milo has done my yard wonders. there's a reason all my neighbors ask me what i'm doing 😂
Having been a former Golf Course Superintendent and now in the municipal wastewater field. The concerns of synthetic fertilizers made from the oil versus reclaimed biosolids as resource that has amazing benefits is almost undeniable. I had used this product as a secret weapon as a Superintendent. Most could not believe how the first week a good weather i could have such amazing looking turf. Microbes work on soil temperature and are releasing nitrogen at the rate the plant can take up. It is obvious to most that leaching of Fert and Chem products in the environment is real. Alge blooms in the water sheds of golf courses in evident even as most don't talk about it. Fert and Chem is how we achieve amazing conditions in very high traffic turf businesses but if we could save all the CO2 of make synthetics. If we could save from using harmful Fungicides that fight diseases like snowmold, anthracnose and dollar spot, that bio fert fights against. And at the same time reduce the incineration of biosolids to atmosphere and just trucking to landfills. Besides Milorganite there has few use cases except land application on existing farmlands. Which is far less refined than milorganite. I see Milorganite as the only solution with the greatest value add. And as we wake up to electric vehicles, solar and the such as viable alternatives. Consider the all the benefits of Milorganite. To say it's for first timers and not pros is far from the truth and the real world benefits of the product.
Never said it wasn’t for pros. Just said it’s a great product for beginners to learn with because you get the benefit of great results without the fear of burning the lawn.
Like I said, I think it’s a great product. I’ll never deny the results it provided me. It’s just gotten too expensive over the last few years to justify the cost, and my soil doesn’t need the P.
I have switched to full synthetic in my vineyard and orchard, has saved me so much money and just works.
You will be able to save yourself a lot of time and frustration by getting a text on the principles of turf grass management. While it’s good that you’ve decided to do a soil test, levels of NPK are only the start. pH and CEC result will give you a much better idea of your soil health. I’ve used Milorganite for over 30 years and love it, but like any other tool you have to know how to use it properly. One pound of N a month is more than excessive, it borders on toxic. Good luck with your turf this season.
Totally agree. I'm always open to learning. Thanks!
LCN got me started on my journey like most. Mulching, dethatching/core aerating, and milorganite alone have boosted my lawn to one of the best in the community. But now, it's time for me to get smarter and get to the next level. This video is a start!
Been using Miloganite for years. It built me a great lawn, and for that i'm thankful. Milorganite is essentially the training wheels for the beginnings of DIY fertilization. Eventually though, we all need to understand how all that Phosphorous ends up getting bound up in the soil as well as metals etc. Throw down Milo for a few seasons to build up soil micobiology, but DO A SOIL TEST to see what is going on with your soil. There is no magic bullett in lawn care and the more you research and understand soil, the more you will see that. Lawns need Potassium to ward of diseases, where Milo is deficient. Carbon x fert and N-ext products have built me a beautiful lush thick stand of turf that is untouchable in my neighborhood. A mix of organics as well as synthetics ( at low doses) has worked wonders for my lawn.
Milo is still nice just because of the sheer amount of product you get to put through your spreader....makes it easy to ensure even coverage. Would be nice if there were more reasonably priced products with higher lbs per thousand....but it just doesn't make sense economically/logistically. I too will be looking for some alternatives for this season...
Why did you exceed the recommended rate (by a lot) for the Milorganite?
Because the lawn (infomercial) youtubers are on a trend to use crap tests (yard mastery) that indicate crap info to enable using other niche products that make them more money.
@@BrodeyDoverosx seeing alot of that!!! ALOT!!! From wetting agents to whatever garbage they can try and pass off on people to earn their affiliate commissions.
@@BrodeyDoverosx I don't even purchase the products thru their links and they're working wonders on my lawn. if done right the products they push work great. it's not always about the commission if you know how to get around it.
The biggest issue is people don’t knkw the application rates. I double up on the recommended application rate and have hd the greenest lawn on the block. I had true green and others ask me what was I doing because their customers were complaining that my lawn looks better than theirs. Is it all you need to do? No- but in combination with spraying a couple other things is all you need to do-
Double up? Did you do two passes?
@@dannyhernandez305 do just do dble the recommended application rate...
*milorganite is the best fertilizer you can use for you lawn if you follow the instructions, I been using this fertilizer for the past five years and I tell you I have the nicest lawn in my neighborhood*
I use Milorganitea great seed starter also and putting Scotts truff builder fertilizer answers killer I wait a month after and then shoot with milorganite turn dark green and helps the soil. Weeds gone all grass no brown spots and no weeds.
Unfortunately, Miloganite has been shown to have polyfluoroalykl substances which can not be removed from your soil. There are lots of great alternatives.
Great content! I agree Milo is a great starter Fert for rubies like me but as you begin to appreciate the nuances of lawn care and the value of soil testing, one must consider all of the options that are best suited for your turf. Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for posting/sharing.
On our St. Augustine grass, in south Florida. The following setup works great for us.
We get deep green, fast growing grass (thanks to Jerry Baker) by adding Epsom salt. I look for the cheapest fertilizer (on clearance/broken taped bags) at HD, Lowes, anywhere. Add a 2lbs of epson salt (walmart - pharmacy dept.) to half the bag. Spread with hand crank spreader (our lawn is extremely big).
Have the mower ready with a sharp blade in good running condition. That mix is like steroids, grass grows fast.
Moral of the story:
Get a soil test, do what it says.
Agree! Milorganite might be the best for your lawn! It works wonders in mine and I have KBG.
Well, I use milorganite. Also Scotts turf builder weed & feed, and 12-12-12. And I get all kinds of compliments, nice dark green and thick as a carpet...
My parents used Milorganite for years and I picked it up from them. Been using for decades now, as recommended on the bag - Easter, Memorial Day, Forth of July, Labor Day, and would use now if I could get it.
I can't and switched to a similar Pennington product called ProCare. It's not quite strong, 4-3-0 as opposed to Milorganites 6-4-0. Both have iron in the mix. I live in Houston, TX and our heavy clay soil is deficient in potassium, so I do use a fertilizer with that element in it for the fall before the grass quits growing. Seems to work just fine here.
Great video! I am a beginner and just threw down 32 lbs of Milo in less then 1,000 sq ft. We will see what happens lol. I too have a hard time understanding how to weight the amount per sq footage. Example it mentions to use 6.5 lbs for every 500 ft. Well regardless of the spreader setting 6.5 lbs is nothing an the spreader is empty way before I can cover the 500 sq. ft.
Translation: "I didn't use a product correctly, so I'm never using it again."
100%
This just seems sad and a little dumb. Kind of hard to believe what this guy did (failed to start with soil test) and decided to make a reaction video off of it.
I have to agree. I've used Milo for four years now and use it as instructed with no problems. I'm not new to lawn care and will NEVER use Scots or any other chem fertilizer
😅😅😅
Exactly, now let me use every product.
Milo Is wonderful if used correctly. You’re crazy not use it anymore. You must also use synthetics in conjunction with the Milo.
it didnt work for me either
Soil tests are key 👌 all great lawns begin with healthy balanced soil
I agree 100% with you. I used milo for a few years, starting out with a terrible 2 acre yard. It was looking great but just never seemed healthy. Last 2 years I couldn't get enough milo to keep it going. So after realizing I've learned how to calibrate for the weeds, just calibrate for fertilizer. Did a soil test, figured out what I needed, a year later my lawn is beautiful and looks healthy. The same as you, very high P. Milo is a great stepping stone but the soil and root growth are the keys to a healthy lawn. I don't use all these high dollar ferts that everybody talks about. I get most of my stuff from my local ag center.
His phosphorous isn’t high. The test is garbage.
I started using Milorganite in 2011. Way before I knew who the LCN was. I used to get it on sale for $6.99/bag until a couple years ago. I completely stopped 2 years ago when the price doubled and my local source stopped carrying it (Menards). I've since learned Milorganite is not a good organic solution because its pasteurized sludge and all the microbial activity is killed. I've found a MUCH better solution that has turned my lawn and soil structure around.
From your experience, seems like the soil test is where people need to start, then go to the Milorganite if the lawn needs it.
Great video! I started my lawn care journey two years ago. Following LCN and using Milo. It was great for a beginner. This season however, i got away from Milo. I still have 6 bags saved for a rainy day tho. I am now confident in throwing down, and like to see what different products do to my lawn. But Milo started it all for me, and i will always recommend it to a beginner.
I put down milorginite and water it in with miracle grow lawn food. Wow!!!! My yard looks like the Prince of Wales lawn.
You water down with miracle grow right after laying down milorganite? How often do you water it with miracle grow? I might have to start doing this.
This said he fertilize every month heavy. Moat lawn guys fertilize by the holidays . Somebody call the EPA ....
I still get Milo delivered right to my garage for $11.00 a bag after shipping and tax from HD. The Menards knock off is about $8.99 but I have to pick it up and the prill is larger. I like Milo it has been a staple supplement in my lawn since 2007.
That's a great deal, especially with shipping and tax included. Are you buying in bulk? Unfortunately, deals like that aren't available everywhere. I just checked online and it looks like HD is asking $15.98/bag and delivery is not available to me, nor is it available in my local store.
Milorganite is unavailable in Canada. I find that applying a good slow release fertilizer three times a year will give you excellent results on a lawn. Do not try and push it through summer dormancy. Focus on watering during the heat, add a moisture retention product if possible.
Hey, do you recommend any milorganite alternatives that are available in Canada?
I think the lesson here should be that Milorganite has its place in a lawn care regimen but shouldn’t be the only product that is used. It was great when it was $8/bag. It’s $15/bag in my area now and I only use it when the temperatures are high and I’m concerned with burning the lawn (usually the Memorial Day and July 4th feeding times). Every feeding doesn’t need to supply microbial nutrients and it’s more cost effective to use synthetics.
Well thought out!. I just became a new subscriber. Thank you for that explanation.
Nice Lawn.
I still use Milorganite and I alternately apply it with Pure Organics which has no phosphorus, but have Pottasium in it. I do my application every six weeks, so I get consistent Nitrogen and some Pottasium or Phosphorus every other application.
So far so good..
Where do you buy pure organics?
@@1312Vb bought from home depot. I normally stock up on ferts by Jan/Feb because they easily sold out from our local Home Depot or Lowes
I 100% agree I think it's a great product to start with and get spreading down pat before you get real serious and putting down what is needed
Amen Brother! I am 100% on the same page. I used a few left over bags of Milorganite last year and I am not using any this season. Going with Carbon Earth Co products this year and RGS.
It brings me pride knowing my daily dump is going to green lawns all across the nation. I will never look at a flush the same way again. #brewcity
$7.99 a bag in southeast Michigan. One of greenest lawns on the block and the worms airate the soil for free.
I'm curious, as I'm also in SE MI... Where are you getting it for that? (And you're talking 32lb bag?) Most places I've seen are $14 or higher, unless on sale (and even then it's marginally cheaper).
Family Farm and Home will have a spring sale, last year 8.99 a bag 👍🏻
10 bucks a bag? We get it here for $6 not on sale. $5 when it is on sale.
@@eddiesandle3650 Folks, that isn't much money for a good looking money. Throw it down and move on!
So I just came across this video and took a deep look at the Soil Savvy results, from quickly looking at the NPK ranges -
Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf growth by encouraging the production of chlorophyll, which is a chemical vital to photosynthesis.
Phosphorus helps your lawn develop healthy roots and stems.
Potassium
Supporting Root Development; this will help strengthen your lawn by firmly rooting grass into the soil to create a route of nutrient uptake to ensure overall health. This aids in winter survival as well as helping it look great in spring
Looking at the Micronutrients section
You are also a bit low on target area
Soil testing is the most effective way to determine its pH level, any micronutrients that are lacking, and the best fertilizer for the lawn. For vigorous grass growth, make two to four applications of fertilizer, each at a rate of no more than one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn. Deeply watering the lawn a few days prior to fertilizing, only applying fertilizer when grass blades are dry and then watering the lawn lightly to wash fertilizer off of grass blades and down to the soil minimizes potential injury to grass blades and roots.
I wish you the best with your yard
This sounds like a video about someone realizing they have a cocaine problem
Doesn't it though! I was fixing supper listening to this video and he said "and I was using a LOT of Milorganite" and that's exactly what I thought! Like he was shooting it or something!
Lol just use in spring and then in the fall and your solid will be great
Ya sounded like he’s talking to a drug counselor.
I’m limiting my Milo apps to just the summer application. $18 a bag here so just the one app of that, and I think the summer would be the best bet as I want to still stay away from synthetic in the heat.
$18 a bag is so much
Yup. I can get away with just 2 bags to give me 1/2 lb of N, which combined with the Next products should get me through the summer. That’s the plan at least, we’ll see in time 😁
milorganite is $9 a bag here in Wisconsin, but depends what store you go to. some stores right up the road will get $17 a bag
That's interesting. I would think Wisconsin would have the lowest prices.
I just put some down today. I picked it up for $10/bag. I am only using one application of it for the year which should last until the end of August. My soil has enough phosphorus so I mostly use Lesco without phosphorus.
Jonathan green is harder to get but worth every penny I buy it online
I like to throw down some Milo and follow it up a few weeks later with just a light application of urea. I seems to help utilize the iron in the Milo and gives me an amazing green with out super excessive growth. Thanks for the Vid!
I started following LCN just like you and everyone else 6 years ago. The same situation with Milo in our lawn . It’s awesome to learn from the community. Most of all our grass is SWEET ! Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for watching, Mike.
Did LCN ever address the issue of people using Milo and then ending up with excessive amounts of phosphorus in their soil? After reading these comments and my personal experience along with some neighbors, seems to be a recurring theme...
I’m not sure if he’s addressed it specifically. It really comes back to soil testing and being willing to open up your strategy to other products. I’ve also since learned that my soil is naturally high in phosphorus, so there isn’t really any need for me to be applying products with P anyways.
@@JimmyLewisMows No ... because the stuff works great on St. Augustine down here in Florida. You just can't go wrong with the stuff. The sound of my lawn growing is keeping me awake at night!!!!
Milorganite is awesome. My lawn is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay greener than my neighbors'. I'm sure that my next door neighbor goes nuts trying to achieve my success in greendom.
you know your getting old when our goal is to have the greenest lawn on the street
@@locutus1126 I'm 29. Hey, they say that some liberals hate that some people like to have a nice lawn.
LOL
I inherited a lawn a couple hours south of yours. It has had nothing put on it for 2 years. It tested "adequate" phosphorus. I think you may have misattributed the high P to Milorganite? May just be the nature of the local soil. I too will be using a X-0-X fertilizer. Your Ca and Mg are "off the charts" because of the hard water in the area.
I can get a no name brand that isn't labeled the same. It comes in 50 lb bags i belive and its very slow acting product
But keep in mind you may want to use other products with it to lower the pH.
Im thinking of using a spray on fertilizer for ease of use and coverage.
Just need to build a sprayer type pull behind system.
I use Milorganite in the fall when it’s available and on sale, after dethatching and overseeding with great results. Not the best product for spring application though in my experience.
I saw milo at Home Depot in Columbus Ohio last weekend at $16.99/bag. Thats too much. I have a half acre. 7-8 bags 3-4 times a year. I will go back to synthetics! Great vid btw.
Thanks for spreading your knowledge. The lawn care community is the best.
Sreamin green kid, try it out!!!! Best fert I've ever used. Been in the business 20+ years
Where do you get it from?
@@3pumpkins170 we grab it from lesco
Yes it is!!!!
I get it from my local sod company
I'm glad to hear all your information was based off of a soil test.,A soil test for lawns is no different than a blood test for a humans...facts are facts...no guess work as to the analysis/issues..
Thanks for the video
Totally agree. Thanks!
If you're a beginner (or a pro), do a yearly soils test. Best money you'll spend on your garden.
As for Milorganite and any other sewage sludge product, be very leery of heavy metals/pesticides/chemicals. Plenty of horror stories about farmers using similar 'cheap' fertilizer and turning their fields into hazardous waste sites.
Did the same as well Jimmy. Started using NeXT products with CarbonX and had even better results, that lasted longer.
Great video - loved the multiple camera angles - very professional :-) Nicely done buddy
Thanks Scott. Appreciate you watching. I'm looking forward to using those products again as well. Spring can't get here soon enough.
Milo also lacks K. soil test is important to determine exactly what one requires
Totally agree.
I’ve limited the Milorganite that I use because my phos levels are higher than the other macros. Also their parent company MMSD dumps a lot into the lakes when they can’t handle the demand so there’s that 🤨I couldn’t have said it better myself though, test your soil and apply what is actually required for your lawn!
Thanks. Do you have a source for the dumping excess claim?
Jimmy Lewis every few months a similar story like this pops up. fox6now.com/2018/08/31/mmsd-dumps-nearly-30m-gallons-of-combined-sewer-storm-water-into-lake-michigan-after-heavy-rain/
And I live 30 minutes from Milwaukee so they are local to me and I get it for $7 a bag so yeah I could go nuts with high app rates without breaking the bank if I really wanted to lol.
$7/bag is a great price. Thanks for the link.
Jimmy Lewis you should have seen my face when I saw it on sale for $5.99 a bag last spring 🤣. I only did two applications earlier on but after that I switched to lesco.
I use milorganite along with fast nitrogen. 10-10-10 in the spring, then milorganite, then small doses of urea (I have leftover from my corn crop and it's 46-0-0) for nitrogen every few weeks.
FYI, Menards (also a Wisconsin company) sells a very close alternative house brand for about $9. I will start with that and see how it does. Agreed that it makes no sense to buy Milorganiye, especially at the Amazon price of approx $48 right now!
Natural Lawn Fertilizer - 2,500 sq. ft.
Model Number: 260-1210 Menards® SKU: 2601210
Home Depot. 18.99
$9.99 at Fleet Farm for a 32# bag of Milorganite.
Never used Milorganite I usually use starter fertilizer in spring with overseeding and then just use DR IRON 22% iron as a supplement get a really dark green color without having the excess growth that's my strategy works amazing I am from Canada grass being used is Kentucky BLUE
Lesco FTW. never looked back. Also you the next products in conjunction.
Appreciate the review bro. I was looking into this after seeing Allan's videos but thats alot of poundage and extra work .
Totally agree with you! I’m planning to only supplement this season with Milo. I’m planning on primarily leveraging Carbon-x and the Green County liquids! I definitely need to get a soil sample in the spring. Thanks for the vid Jimmy!
Thanks, Mark!
Great video. Well put together. It’s 25$ a bag here in ny. So I’ll only spoon feed my lawn once in the spring. Then using other products
that's too much....now in 2024 its 17-21 bucks a bag at most places
Milorganite became popular a couple of years ago? Where have you been it was popular back in 99-2000.... I stopped using it back then because it got too expensive. Phosphorus is always high in soil samples , most of it is unavailable to the plant . It’s been illegal in NY to apply a phosphorus fertilizer unless it’s a new install , a soil test indicates it is low, or it’s a spot lawn repair.
Yes! My lawn started turning a yellowish green ! Was putting down super heavy!
lol a yellowish green? that doesn't happen from milorganite
I was eager to use this product on the lawn at my new house, but then I decided not to for the same reason as you. My soil test came back with too much phosphorus, 66 ppm. Maybe the previous owners were hooked on Milorganite!
I'm dialing back the Milo this year, actually not using it at all. I have had serious rust disease issues ever since I started using the product. I'm convinced it's from the iron in the product. Switching to synthetics early spring and xgrn from GCI for summer and fall.
I have a bag and a half left. Once that’s gone I’m switching to something else as well.
15.98 here in North Augusta , SC and Augusta ,GA . Thanks for video !
Greetings from Texas, Jimmy!
Great to see someone finally using their platform to inform everyone that as great as Milo is, it may be the wrong product for your lawn simply because of the macros.
I've been preaching this same "common sense" fact for a couple of years and getting flamed for it. 🔥 It was incredible how much better my turf looked when I started using the right macros for my soil.
Thanks, Jay! I appreciate that.
You da man, Jimmy! I dig your delivery and modesty. 👍🏽
Puts down milo onece a month wonders why there’s too much phosphorus. Follow the directions and milorgonite works just fine
Lesson learned. Happy to use it again if my soil test results allow for more P and if the retail price comes down.
How do you feel about now about Milorganite being found to contain the forever chemical contaminants which are now spread all over your yard?
Oh well 🤷♂️
Can I put it down in the heat of the summer, I really just want to green up my lawn and thicken it a bit but I really don't need it to grown in the heat, Thank you for sharing your video.
You can.
Carbon X, Xgreen, and next bio stimulant 4 pack...all ya need for a season of incredible looking grass. Also spring and fall weed control and insect control... Nice video Jimmy. I also am shying away from Milorganite due to the phosphorous issue.
Thanks, Pete. Sounds like we have pretty similar game plans going into this season. Should be fun.
Because of the price increase, I do one year on, one year off with Milorganite.
The big box stores don't sell Milorganite where I live anymore.
The Milorganite folks got greedy. Anything over $10 a bag is expensive for what is essentially dried poo! I use it once a year in the springtime, then I just use a cheap lawn tonic (monthly) made from household ingredients. The biggest improvement in my St Augustine lawn was cutting twice a week and cutting it high ... the highest setting on my Troy Bilt.
Since you had high phosphorus levels how was your root growth? And how will it be affected using no phosphorus? Will you eventually have to go back to a phos containing product
Definitely going to monitor root growth. My understanding is the soil in my area contains phosphorus, so that's helpful as well. If I need to add phosphorus down the road, no big deal, because the soil will need it. It's all about learning from the soil test results and adjusting strategies to give the soil what it needs.
I use to haul trailer dump loads of it from Quincy Ma . Most loads went to turf farms in RI ,CT . some corn farms also .
BayState fertilizer (5-2-0) price is still the same for many years $3.50 but you have to buy 1 ton (50 bags).
Miloganite tells you it's good for 10-12 weeks. Why apply every 4 weeks?
My lawn has a lot of weeds in it. Moles ran through it also. I bought some weed and feed today, but should I put it down first before the Miloganite? I do have a bag of Restore also. This is new to me. It needs help!!
Weed and feed will be fine. If you want to use Milorganite, wait about 6-8 weeks after the weed and feed. Make sure to follow directions on the label for weed and feed.
@@JimmyLewisMows thanks you!! What about the Restore?
Good call. It is a great product however to much hype. I would still use it but say on a backyard that allot of kids play in. I would not use it every application but just sometimes to keep things going with a safe product.
Good ideas. Thanks.
What's the problem with a higher phosphorus reading?
Pegboard and workstation is looking sweet!
Thanks! I'm super happy with it.
Ok. Now I have to check the prices. Watching to see if I can save some money.
You make a good point. I'm from the Milwaukee area and grew up watching my dad and grandpa using milo. I did my first soil test showing high Phosphorus and will not be using the stuff this year. Though, I will miss that smell of success.
I miss it too
Milo usually $5.99 a bag on sale at Menards once a year.
That's a price I can get along with. Unfortunately there aren't any Menards in my area.
I agree, I stock up when it’s marked down at local feed stores
there was a nursery here where I live that had it at $29 per bag.
😳
I will always use milo, but I only use it to supplement in the spring and fall at a reduced rate and I use it at a heavy rate in my landscaped areas for the plants. My main fert after a shot of 10-10-10 to start things off is Carbon X and GCF products.
Whoa! Multiple camera angles. Jimmy's getting crafty
😎😉
Don't know if its coincidence but after I used milorganite I got a severe case of basket grass that invested a 6'x6' patch before I could figure out what it was so I could treat it.
lol what? milorganite is a fertilizer, not a bag of weed seeds
Milorganite has been around for a very long time and suddenly people have re-discoverd it. I would love to know what his issue is with phosphorus as that is very helpful in developing the root systems of grass. I know some states seem to have labeled phosphorus as "bad".
Phosphorus hasn't been given any negative labels in my state. However, the soil here I've since learned naturally contains high levels of P. Like I said, I was applying Milorganite pretty heavily, and I was seeing increases in P levels in my soil test results. So I decided to stop using Milorganite in favor of products with little to no P.
@@JimmyLewisMows Yes I did see that part about high levels. Here in NY State I believe they only want us using phosphorus free anything.....potash ok, iron ok, but pretty sure they required that, thus my question. Thanks for the info just the same, always good to learn different ideas on lawncare.
My kingdom for an unlimited supply of good ole cow manure. Dried and screened.
I do wish milorganite was cheaper because i don't get any burn.
Great video, I did the same exact thing. Started with milo and moved to something with higher N
Great video! Thank you! Can't a potassium supplement be put in with the Milo mix??
Thanks. Yes I would absolutely recommend supplementing potassium when using Milo. Potassium is a very important macronutrient that the grass plant requires. Planning a video around that actually.
so i also can use chicken and cow menurepellets size of M&M sometimes a bit smaller depending on brand
I agree man, I was paying $11 bucks here in West Jordan. Once it hit $16 bucks I was done with it. Went to all liquid products from Greene county and never going back. Bio stimulate pack with 7-0-0 and 18-0-1 did amazing for my yard. Never seen such great results before.
Was your lawn looking different as the reason for soil testing? Never used milorganite but thinking about it this year. I’m in Mississippi. Good video.
It's a good product. I didn't notice any physical difference in the lawn's appearance, I just became interested in the results of a soil test and went from there , really.
In nj i buy oceangrow locally for 7.99 for a 45lb bag its the same as miloorganite
That’s a great deal
Hey I appreciate your comments in this video. I did a complete lawn renovation and started my lawn over again with Kentucky Bluegrass. Prior to lawn renovation was was using Milorganite. I was already thinking about getting a soil test in the spring and no your video gave me confirmation. Thank You
Here in CT Danbury I must say Screamin green has done wonders for me .. I’ll be adding Biostems liquid pack thnx to LCN 👍
Reading random comments and I see CT - Danbury. I worked at a summer camp in lakeville! 😀
@@4ndy123 have you ever been to brothers pizza ?
@@420lawncare I know Mizza's pizza. I went to some very random towns... Torrington. Great Barrington was nice though.