Milorganite Fertilizer: Do I like it? 

I’ve used synthetics for years and last year tried milorganite for first time. Turned Lawn crazy green and it became thicker. This summer it’s milorganite only for me.

If Matt Damon can grow potatoes on mars with this stuff I'll put it on my lawn.

Pete, I'm glad you tried Milorganite. If it goes down the toilet, if it goes through the food disposal it's in that bag. Now here is a little bit of information: It doesn't matter too much how much you put on the lawn, it will not burn. This stuff is like pellitized compost and takes time to breakdown. The grass cannot absorb NPK in the "organic" form so Milorganite has to decompose. Think of it as a long time slow release fertilizer. BUT this is the point: There are micro-nutrients in any true organic fertilizer which will likely include magnesium, manganise, calcium etc. The lawn needs these. The last thing to do, depending on the age of the lawn, is to core aerate and overseed. The first two years in this house I did it both Spring and Fall. This year we have had too much rain so aerating is out of the question. This Fall may have to dethatch, coreaerate and overseed. Not that I do anything except look at the grass! These days I deal with post-polio syndrome and dextoscoliosis (I tilt to starboard. So I get down on my knees and work the gardens - my passion.

I’ve been using this product for over 45 years, and have never had a negative experience with it. Your application rates and frequency are different than that of a conventional commercial fertilizer. Our lawns have a deep green color and don’t have the characteristic flash top growth that you get with high high/N- urea based fertilizers. This product is a great product when you want to offer your clients a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Very informative! Thanks! Your videos are very relaxing and awesome to sit through. Keep it up Pete! Just saw the Milo update one as well. I'll be trying it 1st time this yr.

Getting ready to put 4 bags on my lawn next weekend Excited! Great video 👍

I love the smell of Milorganite in the morning.... It smells like Victory....lol

Love the spreader. I’ve never seen a motorized Lesco spreader.

I first used Milo in 1965 on a golf course I was working at. It worked well (if applied correctly), but the odor riled up a few folks. LOL

Zthis stuff really works my grass is so green

I always start with putting down Scott's Bonus S in the early spring and then I use this lightly for the summer. I do apply some humic acid down as well... Milo works really well. And I love the smell of the stuff.

Love your videos bro keep it up

BTW, your lawn is looking great. Came in nice since installing the sprinkler lines and seeding you did.

I love milorganite. ....especially for the iron....i see a huge difference in lawn since i been using it. ...

I use Milo in conjunction with synthetics. I do think that it helps with conditioning the soil. I use it every 4 to 6 weeks. The iron makes the kentucky blue grass a dark green to almost blue green! You can put it out in the blazing sun in drought type conditions and it will not burn. I used it in the bottom of the holes when I planted some Snowball Viburnum and Hibiscus along my fence line. It really made them take off and develop roots fast. It would not be feasable for you to use in an lawncare service such as yours because of the low N rate. But, as a homeowner I like to use it.

I love the smell. It smells like success Edit: Take off the gloves and run your hands through it. It's quite an experience.

My lawn loves this stuff. $14.99 a bag. Use it several times during the growing season.

I tried it for deer control on my pansies and shrubs, seems to be working well.

I used Milo in early June, my yard is greener and thicker than it has ever been.

Yea Florida has fert restrictions. Specially in the spring summer season. Because of all there flash floods, I think.

I use Milo as a soil supplement. I'm not really sure why it's so popular but it is. People are so afraid of "burning" their turf but with a basic understanding of nitrogen you will not burn your turf. Most of the synthetic prills these days are polymer coated also so burning is even more difficult. I only use granular fertilizer twice a year, early spring I put down 3/4lb of N and before winter I put down half a pound of N. Outside of that, everything is done liquid. Fungicides, pesticides, NPK, micros, everything is liquid. Takes me about 30 minutes to do 30,000 square feet with a 6 foot wide spray pattern. Milo is a fine product, but it's not the best fertilizer one can use.

ps. new (2018) they have upped nitogen to 6 and iron to 5%

Will be interesting to see the follow up Pete,I have been using milorganite this year along with synthetic fertilizers and my newly renovated lawn is looking pretty good.

Thanks man, I appreciate the review. About a month ago I aerated, seeded and put down milo along with starter fertilizer in my front yard and it has really taken off-- not sure if milo had anything to do with it or not. I plan on putting it down in the summer time (on holidays like the bag suggest) kinda like spoon feeding it in the stressful months (not sure if it will make a difference or not), what do you think???? I plan on doing this in addition to my normal fertilizing in the spring and fall and only using milo in the summer time, I don't think the lawn could only be on a milo diet, it needs other better fertilizers, again thanks for the review and thanks for all your videos, i have learned a lot. Looking forward for follow up reviews on milo, since you have put in down in the test yard, thanks!!!!!!

I've completely moved away from synthetic fertilizers in favor of milorganite and the results are amazing. I simply spot spray for weeds when they pop up. I will never put down another synthetic fert

8:35 I agree 100% I love Milorganite but I supplement it with Lawn Restore, and some liquid nitrogren treatments in between. I as a stand alone I don't think I'd see the benefits I wanted to

Started with Milo this year , Two Applications of Milo so far . My neighbors want to know what I am doing to make my lawn so beautiful . I simply tell them to feed the soil my dark green grass is just a byproduct I have to cut. I Love it.

So looking back what’s your thoughts on the 7 bags of milo you put on the 17,000 sf? Could you see it this spring?

Do you have a "program" for southern NJ - to buy products you've sourced/sold? I'm starting a new lawn on Falcon IV seed.

Using only milorganite and getting away from synthetic fertilizer got rid of all my thatch. Most synthetic fertilizer eventually breaks down to salt (salt buildup) and thats not good for soil.

What I put down Milorganite I double the rate and do it twice four times a year. You can't put down too much the more you put down the Bluer your grass gets.

I've just recently discovered your channel and subscribed. I know this is an old video but I use Milorganite four times a year in conjunction with Ringer Lawn Restore. Seems to work well. I appreciate your knowledge. As for me and my family we will serve the Lord. God Bless you brother.

Nice vid as always. I did a few apps of Milorganite to my lawn this summer, worked ok but way too expensive. I got Better results with screaming green. I didn't know there was a bolt on after market power engin set up for the lesco spreaders. It looked like it works well. I could of sworn I saw a Z Agitator in that lesco hopper under the measure wheel.. You got to put a Breakthru agitaor in that spreader, they are all universal to fit every Lesco or Permagreen Spreader made.

It spreads evenly.

Maryland is 6000 sq ft because of the Chesapeake Bay

Milo is the wonder drug!

Can you use milorganite if you have a well and a stream?

Where can you get a spreader like this ?

It's actually dried/processed microbes that consume the waste, not just dried waste. It's also somewhat activated by heat from what I understand so it won't usually be as effective in late fall.

milwaukee is 20 min away my dad turned me on to it long time ago. been using between the two of us, for 40 yrs...Throw er down...like going to the doctor for a back problem, take 1 muscle relaxer, nope im taking two. i double app rate always. except drought or heat stress times then single app. i use luquified horse manure also, all natural. i know people that dont follow app rates for synthetic ferts. and they burn their lawns expecially whan they think they have a putting green and mow at 1 inch or 2 in on their clover yards and thy ask me WHY WHY? and i just smile mile her at its cheepest in winter is 6 bucks a bag i get a half a pallet

I have been using that for a year and very happy with it. But just too expensive for me. Close to $80.00 monthly treatment. Can't wait to test out your fertilizer.

weve been using milorganite for years,,the yard and plants are blue green and healthy,,the other fertilizers cant compare,,its the only one for me,,,

Hey Pete... can turf ever be TOO thick like yours is?

It works at 55 degrees to 85 degrees really super good for Mico nurients and will turn your yard dark green in less than 15 days. Water it in but don.t over water and watch it after a good rain unreal

When is the academy??? Love learning from your videos

I personally think people see quick but brief results with Milo. The iron greens up their yards in a hurry, particular the new Milo with 5% iron. I don't think it provides the same results at 1.8lbs of N per 2,500sqft twice a year that the standard 1-2lbs per 1,000sqft synthetic rates do. Part of it is simply there isn't much nitrogen in Milo if used alone.

I think it is a little too late to use milo. Best time is during the middle of the summer where the grass is stressed from the heat. That is why Milo is my summer fertilizer.

I believe the Fl restriction is due to the phosphorous content.

Can this be used for fall / winter treatment in cool grass?

It's hard to fathom that a person who's into lawn care has never heard of, nor used Milogranite before.

LOVE that stuff! Is it the best? Probably not but its damn good and even made a difference in my K31 yard with a 5000sq ft per bag application. I think its a quality product that needs a few more applications to be as good as a "stronger" or more concentrated fertilizer. As for the FL and MD tages, our states have strict fertilizer laws due to run off as FL is a giant swamp and MD is essentially the same plus a watershed into the largest estuary. Apparently its the microbes that process it and not human waste. Human waste wouldnt work too well due to our diets. Oh and I have a whole mess of this stuff out back Im waiting to throw down!

Milwaukee Organic Nitrogen=Milorganite...The high iron or fe comes from pickle liquor. It takes me 15 to 20 lbs per m to get a color response in the summer. I have poured it on fescue in the summer in charlotte nc and no burn..

Here is the issue I see with your analysis... On a scale of 1-10, your yard is a 9.99. So how much improvement is possible to achieve? What if you did a plot in the middle of your neighbor's yard? Would you see a difference? I always enjoy your video's and i have learned a lot. Keep it going

There is no synthetic nitrogen. Its an element. (and a gas)

First time using it this year with my pre germinated grass seeds. It has green up my lawn really nice but the smell is horrible.

Why better than Ironite I have both never seen anything extra out ironite but Miorganite is the bomb turn beautiful dark green plus I checked and use it for a starter fertilizer for new grass seed works great.And I.ll tell you one use Milorganite and Jonathan Love you soil together and watch the beauty of it because it helps brake down soil and Mico nurients and it is unreal

Will this attract flies?

Just did my second application the other day. Started using it for the first time this season and man yea my lawn smells like crap haha like a nasty beach.

Don't breathe the dust. That's some Cheesehead's poop dust!

Spot looks like a fert burn maybe.

I wished I had a dime for every pound I've put it out. I have one place that requires it twice a year. Once Matt's product gets to me I will drop Milo.

I'm lost now. I think it's TMI . Can you just give steps and what to use?

i think it's the best fert around. NOTHING makes grass greener and it can't burn anything

It works better when it’s hot out

Where I live in Florida, we can't fertilize from June thru September

I like Milo. I water it in good

i do my own yard so i can put it down every month...........it works great

Speed it up to 1.25 and he sounds normal lol

Yeah the smell is not pleasant. Spread it heavy at my church once and it was not friendly. Great results though.

Are you able to sell to the public a milo alternative? More Biosolids?? More Iron?? Say yes! :)

Have you ever tried Earthworks?

That's not the percentage, it's units. 100 lbs of urea has 45 units of nitrogen, 100 lbs of potash is 60 units of potassium.

half and half

Here is Milorganite's explanation of exactly what it is: www.milorganite.com/using-milorganite/what-is-milorganite

Caution! Try NOT to be influenced by what others tell you (even me or especially me) about Milo. Observe and make your own determination. For me, it has one huge drawback; it STINKS like a sewer plant. Not just when opening the bags or applying, it stinks for weeks. The grandchildren won't play in the yard, adults won't sit on the patio. It stinks! Does it work? I dunno, maybe; nothing specutacular. I think the main benefit is the iron content. Iron, in some forms, gives the grass a deeper color, even toward grey or almost black if over done. My soil has abundant iron already, but not in a form that is readily available to the plants unless lime is added. So, I prefer to blend pellet lime with 10/10/10 fertilizer for the late summer fertilizer (late August to mid September). Costs way less, works better for me. Does NOT stink. Then again, the orgainic addition for me is NOT needed. I have a huge population of earth worms that make casts that do that for me. Avoid herbicides and insecticiades so your worms surive and thrive! I do lack irrigation, and my lawn has suffered for want of water in late summer and early fall.

I would say that it's toxic Heavy Metal Sludge might be ok for lawn once in awhile certainly wouldn't put on vegetable garden

A bag of poo, a bag of poo, everything's greener with a bag of poo.

Home Depot no longer sells milorganite. Not because it’s a terrible product, just the opposite. They can’t keep up with demand.

I used Milorganite this spring on Pennington Smart Seed Tall Fescue that I put down last fall. Grass was doing good until put down the Milorganite and a month later the fescue was seed head central and then died. It wasn't Poa Annua either.

Folks....as noted it wont be as effective with colder temps, but keep in mind you still get the nice green kick with the iron. Iron's not organic per se in that it doesnt need to be broken down. As long as your grass is growing the iron will have an effect.

Of course you like it....best goddamn fert on the planet

Am I the only one that finds it hilarious the way people talk about Milorganite! 😂 am I missing something? It’s sewage from Milwaukee people! Lol. Don’t be fooled by imitators

Milorganit doesn't do squat on warm season Bermuda Sod. I use the commercial grass companies annual regime and supplement in between their applications with 46-0-0 Urea. I triple applied Milorganite and wasted my money. If the night temps stay around 60 or greater it's time to fertilize. You should've had your pre-emergent already done weeks beforehand. Remember to water in the 46-0-0 Urea to make sure it melted and isn't left on the blades of grass allowing it to be burned. Expect to cut your grass a couple times a week. The 46-0-0 makes it really green, thick and beautiful. I pay $22.00 for 50 lbs of 46-0-0 URea at the local AG store. Big box store charge double that for less product and nowhere near the strength, this stuff is. MAKE SURE YOU BLADES ARE SHARP and balanced. Good luck!

I always hold my breath when pouring that crap (which is what it's made out of) into the spreader. ;-) I'm sure states like Florida make it 2,500/ 6000sf to keep our waterways and oceans, which is where the runoff of this stuff goes, from becoming clogged with algae. Remember, most Florida turf is mostly sand. The new formula for Milorganite is 6% nitrogen. 6-5-0 Now THAT'S a spreader. I never saw a gas powered fertilizer spreader before this.

Earth look like mars in few years.

This "organic" fertilizer is banned where I'm from...Ontario, Canada.

Put it down.

Don't use if there is Brown Patch!

You got to stop advertising Milorganite. That mess is the poorest performing fert on the shelf by far. Also one of the most expensive you can buy. It takes 2-4 months to break down before the soil can use it. This is all part of their slow release formula. So you apply it now and two months later your first app kicks in WHEN you are applying your SECOND app. Total waste of time and money. Now if you are looking for a superior fert, look at Miracle Grow Lawn Food liquid fertilizer. Takes to the foliage and roots INSTANTLY with a ton more nutrients available in the containers compared to Milorganite. Also MG is a lot cheaper for those of us with larger lawns.

man this guy talks a lot and doesnt show a lot of what he means hahah he should learn how to edit vids and put descriptions in the video like step by step

Milorganite is crap, use Scotts !

No I don't like it. It is more of a warm season turf fert

The rest is poo