Seed, Sod, Sprig, Plug Application Rates

hand holding seed over dirt

Milorganite® Accelerates Seed Growth Development

When seeding your lawn or laying sod, sprigs, or plugs add Milorganite to accelerate development. The salt-free formula will never burn tender new roots and the iron generates a deep lasting green.

Seeding a New Lawn or Filling in Bare Patches 

Spread grass seed and Milorganite mix evenly on the prepared soil. Prepare your soil by incorporating several inches of organic matter such as compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil. Gently work the seed and Milorganite mix into the soil 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. Light (sandy) soils may only require watering for seed incorporation.

Keep the seeded area moist until the seeds emerge. The seedlings need frequent gentle watering until ½ to 1 inch tall. When conditions allow, reduce watering several times a week at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Decrease the frequency and increase the depth of watering as seedlings mature.

 

Milorganite Rates: Seed, Sod, Sprig, or Plug (lbs/1,000 sq ft)
Soil TypeSeeding & SoddingSprigging & Plugging
Sand50-100 lbs*50-100 lbs*
Native soil25-50 lbs*25-50 lbs*

*Use the higher rates for grass types that prefer higher nitrogen (Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass) and in soils with low organic matter that have very infertile root zones.

 

Overseeding with Milorganite®

Milorganite is a great fertilizer for overseeding. Mixing grass seed with Milorganite is an effective way to spread seed accurately. Mix 4 parts Milorganite with 1 part seed by weight. If you choose to mix Milorganite and seed, be careful to decrease future applications of Milorganite to prevent over-fertilization.

Milorganite and seed in a spreader
Milorganite Seed Mixing Chart
Seed TypeMilorganite (lbs)Seed (lbs)Seed per 1,000 sq ftArea Covered (sq ft)Milorganite per 1,000 sq ft
Bentgrass2051 lb5,0004 lbs
Bermuda Grass2051 lb5,0004 lbs
Blue Grass100254 lbs6,25016 lbs
Blue-Rye Mix100256 lbs4,25023 lbs
Rye Grass100258 lbs3,25030 lbs

Sodding with Milorganite®

First, prep your soil by incorporating several inches of organic matter such as compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil. Milorganite should be mixed into the top 2-4 inches of soil before laying sod to help establish and feed the roots.

After laying new sod, water enough to penetrate the sod and 2 inches of the existing soil. From day 2 on, keep your sod and soil moist throughout the day. The roots are short so the sod cannot take large amounts of water at any single time. Other than the first day, the ground under the sod should never be soggy. Usually watering 4 to 6 times during the day, for approximately 5 to 6 minutes each time, is required until the roots are established. Root establishment will usually begin within 7 to 14 days.

After 2 weeks reduce the frequency of times you water at a gradual pace. You can confirm the establishment of the roots by pulling up a corner of the sod, and if you feel some resistance, you can begin tapering off the frequency of watering until you are watering only once per day. Deeper, less frequent watering will help roots stretch down deeper and establish quickly into the soil. Once fully established, a lawn needs approximately 1 inch of water per week.

Planting Sprigs with Milorganite®

Planting of warm-season grass sprigs (3- to 6-inch pieces of grass stems or runners without soil) should be in late spring to early summer to allow for the longest period of time for optimal growing conditions, above 70 degrees.

Sprigging is less expensive than sodding, but it takes longer for the lawn to establish. Prep the soil before planting by incorporating several inches of organic matter such as compost and Milorganite into the top 2-4 inches of soil to aid in root establishment. Sprigs should be planted end-to-end in furrows 6–12 inches apart. Sprigs contain nodes, nodes are the part of a plant stem from which one or more leaves emerge, often forming a slight swelling or knob.

Place the nodes in direct contact with the soil. Sprigs should then be covered with soil, but leaf blades should be exposed and lightly roll the area to make sure the sprigs are level with the surrounding ground. Keep the area moist until the grass becomes established.

Planting Plugs with Milorganite®

Planting of warm-season grass plugs (3”x 3” chunks of sod with soil around their roots) should be in late spring to early summer to allow for the longest period of time for optimal growing conditions, above 70 degrees.

Prep the soil before planting by incorporating several inches of organic matter such as compost and Milorganite into the top 2-4 inches to aid in root establishment. Dig holes 6 to 12” deep, lightly water the area, press the plug firmly into the hole, lightly roll the area to make sure the plugs are level with the surrounding ground. Keep the area moist until the grass becomes established. 

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