Milorganite Organic Lawn Fertilizer Info
The straight poop on Milorganite Organic Lawn and Landscape Fertilizer… I use it on my own lawn, and customer lawns and and it has always delivered quality, safe results. The good folks at Milorganite have not paid me to write about this. I do it to help you!
Buy It Here:
Milorganite is an organic nitrogen fertilizer produced by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Popularized in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, it consists of processed sludge from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Jones Island Waste Water Treatment Plant. It’s name comes from the combination of “Milwaukee,” “organic” and “nitrogen.”
Milorganite contains microbes that have digested nutrients from the sewage stream along with added iron, used to strip phosphorus from the waste water flowing into Lake Michigan.
That’s right friends, this 100% organic fertilizer product is processed poop! But man does it offer a lot of benefits:
Milorganite benefits:
- Adds natural nitrogen to your lawn slowly: Milorganite contains 6% nitrogen in natural, biosolid form. This means nitrogen is released slowly and will not burn the lawn or ruin the soil like synthetic nitrogen fertilizers can. Milorganite is “goof proof,” meaning you can’t burn your lawn even if you put down too much.
- Contains micronutrient iron: Milorganite also contains significant amount of iron. For those who are not aware, iron is what makes Kentucky Blue Grass “blue.” However, adding iron to lawns using synthetic products adds a major risk of concrete staining. Milorganite’s slow-released iron will not stain your concrete or masonry work.
- Acts as a Deer Repellant: It’s not been scientifically proven, but many sources sware that milorganite placed around trees and shrubs will keep deer away. In addition, your plants will benefit from the nutrients.
Milorganite is organic: if you are looking to use products in your lawn and landscape that are more environmentally friendly, then Milorganite is a good choice. It won’t burn your lawn or leach into the groundwater like overly-applied synthetics can.
Some drawbacks to Milorganite
- You have to put down a lot of it: Some people are put off by the large amounts of Milorganite that you must put on your lawn to get results. It is recommended in Spring time to put down 17 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn area. This is compared to synthetic fertilizers where the recommended amount is less than 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. Remember, organics are not as concentrated as synthetic fertilizers.
- There is a smell to it: Some people are really put off by the smell of Milorganite (deer too apparently) as it is made from processed sewage. In my personal opinion, the smell is not any worse than any other garden smell and it’s gone in a couple days.
- Milorganite does not break down in cool weather: Since it is organic, Milorganite requires heat to release nutrients into the soil so it does not work well in early Spring and late Fall.
What about the heavy metals?
I am no chemist, but some people over the years have warned that Milorganite releases high amounts of heavy metals such as zinc, copper and arsenic into the soil. I’ve combed their website and they claim that Milorganite metal levels are no more than any other fertilizer product on the market today. I believe them!
The best time to apply Milorganite to your lawn is late April as this is the time when temps are rising. If you decide to use Milorganite as your organic lawn fertilizer choice, you will probably only to need to apply it 3 times per year as it is a slow release product.
I recommend applications of 17 pounds per 1,000 square feet in April, June and September.
Final Note: Milorganite is also a great source of slow-release iron for your landscape perennials. If your woody ornamentals or soft perennials have yellowed leaves, milorganite will help restore an iron deficiency.
____________________________________________________________Wondering "what to" put on your lawn and "when to" put it down? Get my $7 Step By Step ebook and learn it! I am really proud of the results my readers are getting using this easy to follow lawn treatment schedule.
Lawn Care Step
April 16th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Can I get that stuff all the way out here in podunk Oregon???? I’m sold! Exactly what I believe multiple things on this property need…some real Sh…errr poop…to snap em into awareness…..LOL
T
April 27th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
[...] form (I prefer granular as liquid is difficult to apply evenly). There are also several quality organic sources of iron available. In most cases, you should look for iron that has been [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 11:10 am
[...] [...]
May 8th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
[...] can ruin your soil. There are some great organic products available as well, but keep in mind that natural fertilizers do not promote fast greening in the spring as they require heat to release nutrients. Organics are [...]
May 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
[...] to fertilize your lawn, you will nee to put down as much as 17 pounds per thousand like with Milorganite (my favorite organic fertilizer) to achieve the same results that the synthetic rates will at 1-pound per thousand. Check out [...]
May 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
[...] you are reading this and you ALREADY HAVE DAMAGE from sod webworms, you should fertilize with a slow-release product such as Milorganite, and irrigate your lawn regularly to help it grow out. In the Fall, I’d recommend a granular [...]
May 25th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
[...] Not Thick Enough to get stripes? Get some Milorganite and fertilize your lawn regularly using these tips. Lawn Tips provided by Life and Lawns, tell your [...]
June 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
[...] lawn properly fertilized with slow-release nitrogen: I always recommend using Milorganite Organic Fertilizer. You should apply Milorganite in April and again in early [...]
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
[...] You can also fertilize your lilies (bulbs) in the fall using bone meal and a scattering of Milorganite. Composted leaves from Oak or Ash trees work well also and provide protection from harsh winter [...]
August 14th, 2008 at 1:26 am
[...] you ALREADY HAVE DAMAGE from sod webworms, you should fertilize with a slow-release product such as organic Milorganite, and irrigate your lawn regularly to help it grow out. In the Fall, I’d recommend a granular [...]
August 14th, 2008 at 7:36 am
[...] you ALREADY HAVE DAMAGE from sod webworms, you should fertilize with a slow-release product such as Milorganite Organic with iron, and irrigate your lawn regularly to help it grow out. In the Fall, I’d recommend a granular [...]
August 18th, 2008 at 2:16 am
[...] you ALREADY HAVE DAMAGE from sod webworms, you should fertilize with a slow-release product such as Milorganite, and irrigate your lawn regularly to help it grow out. In the Fall, I’d recommend a granular [...]
August 29th, 2008 at 8:42 am
[...] area and repel by their foul odor. A great area repellant is my favorite organic fertilizer, Milorganite. It’s also good for the plants and does work fairly well to repel [...]
September 10th, 2008 at 7:51 am
[...] now, September 10, 2008, you need to get down some Milorganite Organic Fertilizer. This will add slow release nitrogen and iron into the lawn to help the soil [...]
October 30th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
[...] are a few more helpful articles for you: What do the numbers on the bag of fertilizer mean? Milorganite organic lawn care fertilizer information Iron applications for lawns How to apply lawn [...]
November 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
November 11th, 2008 at 3:08 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 11th, 2008 at 9:04 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic lawn fertilizer for your [...]
November 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic lawn fertilizer for your [...]
November 11th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic lawn fertilizer for your [...]
November 12th, 2008 at 5:05 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic lawn fertilizer for your [...]
November 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 14th, 2008 at 12:43 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic lawn fertilizer for your home. Worm composting is a method of recycling food waste and organic materials into [...]
November 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 14th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
November 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 12:51 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 6:19 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 7:02 am
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
November 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make organic fertilizer for your [...]
December 14th, 2008 at 1:44 am
[...] first order of business is to pick up some Milorganite organic fertilizer and lay that down in the middle of April (follow label directions). It doesn’t matter where [...]
January 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
[...] different ways of doing it besides a big bin in your backyard. There is more than one way to make natural fertilizer for your [...]
January 28th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
[...] also recommend you get an organic based fertilizer for the summer months. As many of you know, Milorganite is my favorite and it is what I use in my own lawn. Organic lawn fertilizers types of fertilizer [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I have already applied my Scotts w/halts. I planned on useing the Weed and Feed in April and the 1st application of Milorganite in May. Will this be alright? I want to aerate this fall and over seed with a tall fescue. Zone 5.
Thank you
March 21st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Hi Shirley and thank you for stopping by the blog. If you get my really really well written (but cheap) ebook, it will answer all your questions about what to put on your lawn.
you can find it here: Lawn Treatment Schedule
July 18th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
What stores sell this in Georgia. I’ve looked at Home Depot,Lowes,Walmart,and Kmart.
Thanks
July 18th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hi Archie,
you can order online at the link I provide in this post. That is cheap for Milorganite even with the shipping. Trust me that it works, but you should also get my book along with it for seven bucks.
AL
April 12th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Hi Allyn I’ve already put down Ironinte on my lawn.What will if anything will happen if I put milorganite down too. I live in the Wilmington NC area. Thank You
April 12th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
hey Ervin,
you will be gine, the two will not interfere with one another.
Remember, you put down 15-18 lbs per thousand square feet of lawn when using milorganite… it’s a lot, but it is slow release and long lasting