I Want my Grass to Grow Really Tall
Written: Apr 18 '04 (Updated May 21 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots of green grass; Works better and lasts longer than other fertilizers
Cons: Price is higher than others; Can get messy if poured too quickly
The Bottom Line: Scott's is my favorite brand of lawn fertilizer. It produces a full, lush lawn of green grass.
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer |
Scott’s is the best- known maker of lawn care products in the United States. Whether its weed control, pest control, grass seed, or fertilizer, Scott’s has a product to suit your yard- working needs.
One of the earliest products produced by Scott’s was its lawn fertilizers. Today, these are still the mainstay of the Scott’s product line and they rack up consistent sales year after year. The best- known of all the Scott’s fertilizers is Scott’s Turf Builder, a product formulated to help your lawn grow thicker, greener grass.
Application:
Scott’s Turf Builder is easy to apply. But before you begin, you should make sure that your grass has been mowed and is short enough that a spreader can easily pass over it without touching. The product works best on a freshly cut lawn.
Spreaders are the best thing to use, to apply Turf Builder. Both drop- spreaders and broadcast spreaders will work, and Scott’s doesn’t recommend one over the other. Just pour the granular substance from the bag into the hopper of your spreader and start pushing.
According to Scott’s, Turf Builder can be applied either to a dry lawn or a moist lawn, just after it has rained. Make sure it’s not windy when you apply, because if it is, the small particles will be blown away and will not stick to the grass. If the grass is dry, it's a good idea to water after application, to better ensure that the fertilizer sticks to the grass and starts to work.
Scott’s recommends using this product beginning in the early Spring and then continuing through the Fall season (actually, it can be used any time of the year, but Scott’s has other, more specific products for these purposes which is probably why they don’t promote this very strongly) as needed. As long as you use the product in the way the directions state, you will not need to worry about burning your lawn or doing any other type of damage. The time- released particles will do their job, leaving you with a thicker, greener lawn.
Size/Pricing
Scott’s Turf Builder comes in two different sizes: 15.72 pound and 47 pound bags (7.1 and 21.3 kilograms, respectively). The reason for the odd sizes is because Scott’s bases the bag sizes on the amount of lawn area that each one can cover. The smaller size contains enough fertilizer for 5,000 square feet (464.5 square meters) while the larger size contains enough to cover 15,000 square feet (1,393.5 square meters).
The prices of this product are a little higher than other fertilizers. The smaller bag typical retails for about $12 and the larger size sells for about $29. But these prices vary greatly from one store to the next. If you check on- line, you can probably find places to buy these products for a few dollars less.
Customer Service:
Questions about Scott’s products can be directed to either the company web site or to the customer support hotline. The web site, scotts.com, can answer some of the more basic questions about the product. But more complex issues and concerns need to be directed to the customer support line, which is 888-270-3714.
Final Thoughts:
It’s no secret that I despise doing yard work. Some people find yard work relaxing and feel a great sense of pride when they look over their freshly- landscaped acreage and enjoy congratulating themselves for a job well done. I, on the other hand, feel nothing but exhaustion and irritation when I work on my yard. It’s something that I must do, so I grudgingly give in and get the work done.
I don’t normally fret over the appearance of my grass, but I have been known to splurge every now and then and purchase fertilizer to spruce up the greenness of my home turf. After the winter season is over, grass will, of course, grow back. But it often looks a little faded and lethargic. A good dose of fertilizer will get the yard looking healthy again. And Scott’s Turf Builder is the fertilizer that I purchase most frequently.
Turf Builder is an easy product to apply. I use a broadcast spreader when I apply mine, but it is even possible to apply by hand, if you want. Scott’s recommends the use of a spreader for best results, but it doesn’t rule out manual application (if you decide to do this, be careful- concentrations that are too high in one spot can burn the lawn). Just one quick run over the lawn is all that is needed for a period of about 6 to 10 weeks. The time- released formula keeps your yard looking green and healthy.
I’m always looking for ways to save a buck or two, but I must admit that lawn fertilizer is one area that I don’t skimp. I have tried less expensive brands, but they do not do as good of a job as Scott’s. In the past, I found that I often ended up dissatisfied with other fertilizers and wound up purchasing a small bag of Scott’s Turf Builder then applying it on top of the other brand. Scott’s Turf Builder delivers superior results.
When pouring and applying this product, you need to move slowly. The fine, dusty particles will create a cloud of fertilizer that can get in your eyes and into your lungs if you move too hastily. It’s not dangerous, but it will cause coughing and wateriness in your eyes. As long as you pour it from the bag slowly enough, you can avoid this occurrence. Also, you need to make sure you clean up any excess Scott’s fertilizer. The iron content in this product is high and it can cause red stains if it comes in contact with your clothing, shoes, or concrete. It takes time for the stain to form, so as long as you wash off the excess fertilizer, there shouldn’t be any problem. But don’t be surprised if your favorite pair of white sneakers suddenly has red marks a few days after using this product. It’s very easy to forget to wipe the excess off of one’s shoes, and therefore this is the most likely place you will find stains.
Scott’s Turf Builder doesn’t control the growth of weeds. You need to purchase another product to handle that type of job. Scott’s has many products that control weeds and fertilize in one step, like Turf Builder Plus 2 and Turf Builder Halts, so don’t worry about finding a product to satisfy your needs. Scott’s makes many different lawn care products and they are sold in most stores and through the internet.
Yard work is a drag. It’s my most dreaded task and the thing I like least about owning a home. But I still feel pressure to make my yard look good from time to time and I know that a lush, green yard does look better than a light green yard with small brown patches. When my thumb turns a light shade of green, Scott’s Turf Builder is the product I purchase most often. It does an excellent job, making my grass greener and healthier looking. It’s the best brand on the market, in my opinion, for optimal lawn care.
Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read More Reviews of Related Products:
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer
Scott’s Turf Builder Plus 2
Scott’s SpeedyGreen 2000
Recommended:
Yes
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