Granule size
The size of the granule is key for turf cut at low heights (golf and bowling greens). Small granules are essential for dispersing into the turf sward, to avoid mower pick-up and disruption to play. It is possible to use larger granules on grass that is left longer.
Uniform granule size is important for even distribution using rotary spreaders and for blended products (not recommended for close cut turf) to ensure there is no segregation of the
components in the bag or spreader.
Nutrient Source
The nitrogen source should be declared on the label. Other nutrient sources may not be. Turf safety can be compromised by use of fertilisers high in chlorides with a high salt index - this can cause direct burning on the leaf or increase salt levels in the soil contributing to a physiological drought on the plant.
Number crunching - what do the numbers mean?
N-P-K. Depending on which country you’re in, these have to be declared as oxides (UK), i.e. N, P2O5, K2O, or as Elemental i.e. N, P, K. The number that appears on the bag is % weight/weight.
So, a bag of fertiliser with analysis of 24-5-8 contains: 24% N, 5% P2O5 and 8% K2O. If your bag of fertiliser weighs 25kg, then: 6Kg N, 1.25kg P2O5 and 2kg K2O. As this adds up to 9.25kg, you’ve probably wondered what other materials make up the bag. Some will be non-declarable constituents of the nutrients that are declared on the label. The
remainder consists of fillers and conditioners including anti-dust and anti-caking additives and fertiliser technologies such as controlled-release coatings. Pure granular nutrients are unsuitable for turf applications because of the problem of how to safely and evenly spread nutrients across an area. To calculate the amount of nutrients applied per area, you simply multiply the application rate (Kg/Ha) by the % nutrient content. It is standard practice to state nutrient application rate in kg/Hectare (Ha).
For example:
A 24-5-8 fertiliser with five months longevity applied at 45g/m2 45g/m2
= 450kg/Ha
450 x 24% = 108 kg N/Ha 450 x 5% = 22.5 kg N/Ha 450 x 8% = 36 kg N/Ha
For liquids, nutrients are also declared on a % weight / weight basis. To calculate nutrients applied per application, you need to know the specific gravity or density of the liquid. A litre of water will weigh 1kg, other liquids may weigh more or less.
For example:
12-4-6 liquid fertiliser applied at 60L/Ha Specific Gravity (SG) = 1.18 Kg/L (i.e. 1 litre of product will weigh 1.18kg)
First, calculate weight of liquid applied per Ha. 60 x 1.18 = 70.8kg/Ha
Then follow same procedure as for granules: 70.8 x 12% = 8.5 kg N/Ha 70.8 x 4% = 2.8 kg N/Ha 70.8 x 6% = 4.2 kg N/Ha
In Part 2, Stuart Staples will explain all you need to know about applying fertilisers, from timing and best practice to selecting a spreader and calibration. He’ll address common problems, where to go and who to ask for advice and discuss the benefits of fertiliser programmes.
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You may be his next victim!
I had all but forgotten our meeting. It was one of those chance encounters that slip into the recesses of the brain. I do recall having a sore shoulder from the constant prodding and thinking, at the time, that I would need to see the doctor on my return.
I remember now that our conversation had been intense. Had it taken place in a dark and smoke filled bar onlookers would have thought we were plotting the downfall of the government or about to secure a ten million pound arms deal, or perhaps even both, such was the fervour of our meeting. But this was in the open air. This was broad daylight.
He had approached me with a fixed stare that said “you are my next victim”. Those close-by stood little chance. He was coming towards me regardless of any person or obstacle in his path.
I had met him before but, somehow, this was different. This was serious. I broke off the conversation I was having with one of my clients and held out a welcoming hand. Maybe this action might defuse the situation. It didn’t. I
remember that my client had watched open mouthed as a cascade of words echoed forth. They made the sound of one hundred marbles in a launderette drier. I had understood some of the words and, by carefully placing them in the correct order, had begun to make some sense of this ‘one way’ conversation. Still agape, my client had crept off into the milling crowd never to be seen again that day.
I remember that I had nodded. I’m not sure if it had been a reflex action or whether it had been in recognition of some jumble of words. And then he was gone as quickly as he had arrived.
When the office phone rang a few weeks later I was, by some fluke of chance, talking to that same client. I recognised the sound of ‘marbles’. Had I really promised to write an article? Was the deadline really the end of next week? Somehow, I knew the answer to both questions was yes!
I must have looked shell-shocked. My client enquired “was that him?”. “Yes” I replied, “that was him.”
Be afraid, be very afraid ...
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