does milorganite have phosphorus

How much phosphorus is in Milorganite fertilizer?

Every bag of fertilizer has an N-P-K nutrient analysis, which indicates the amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) it contains by weight. Milorganite’s analysis is 6-4-0, which guarantees it contains at least 6% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and less than 1% potassium.

What is the percentage of potassium in Milorganite?

Milorganite’s analysis is 6-4-0, which guarantees it contains at least 6% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and less than 1% potassium. Does Milorganite® expire? Milorganite has no expiration date. It will work indefinitely if stored properly in a cool and dry area out of the reach of children and animals.

What is Milorganite made of?

This is heat-dried with hot air in the range of 900–1,200 °F (482–649 °C), which heats the sewage sludge to at least 176 °F (80 °C) to kill pathogens. The material is then pelletized and marketed throughout the United States under the name Milorganite. The result is recycling of the nitrogen and phosphorus from the waste -stream as fertilizer.

Is Milorganite safe for plants?

The phosphorus in Milorganite is slow-moving and stays in the soil ready for plants to use. University testing has demonstrated that the phosphorus in Milorganite is less likely to leach or move into groundwater. Does Milorganite® contain metals?

Does Milorganite increase phosphorus?

Milorganite is the answer to all your fertilizer needs. It's a slow release, non phosphorus leaching, water insoluble fertilizer.

How do I increase phosphorus in my lawn?

Compost, manure and bone meal can all help increase the phosphorus for your lawn. Introducing some clay particles can also help your lawn boost its phosphorus levels and keep them where you want them to be. Just like you need your vitamins and minerals, so does your lawn.

Does Milorganite have NPK?

The N-P-K analysis for Milorganite, for example, is 6-4-0: 6% nitrogen; 4% phosphorus; and, 0% potassium, indicating there is less than 1% potassium.

What chemicals are in Milorganite?

Milorganite contains 5 percent nitrogen, 2 percent phosphorus and . 32 percent potassium. It also contains the secondary nutrients calcium, 2.1 percent, sulfur, . 58 percent and magnesium, .

What is the fastest way to add phosphorus to soil?

What is the fastest way to add phosphorus to soil? If your plant is in desperate need of a phosphorus boost, start with a regular schedule of foliar kelp fertilizer. At the same time, add a rapid release phosphorous fertilizer to the soil, like bone meal or fish meal.

How do I know if my lawn needs phosphorus?

The first sign of a phosphorus deficiency is re duced vigor or slowed growth. Visually, the turf may appear somewhat dark green but the area will not seem to be growing as vigorously as ex pected.

What's wrong with Milorganite?

Here's what you should know about Milorganite and a recent study showing it may contain 'forever chemicals' A recent study by environmental groups found that you may be unknowingly spreading "forever chemicals" on your lawn and garden in the form of fertilizer.

What happens if you put too much Milorganite on your lawn?

Too much Milorganite causes forced excessive blade growth. This results in thatch buildup that chokes grass, robs moisture from the soil and invites fungal diseases. Grass can yellow or brown, losing color due to an excess of nitrogen in the soil.

What is phosphorus fertilizer?

Phosphorus is a component of most fertilizers that helps plants to grow. When too much is applied or is applied at the wrong time—such as right before it rains—most of it is washed away and ends up in the local waterways. This type of pollution is called nonpoint source pollution.

What is the main ingredient in Milorganite?

Specifications - Nutrient analysis Milorganite is a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer guaranteed to contain not less than 6% nitrogen, at least 85% of which is water-insoluble (WIN). The available phosphorus is not less than 4%. Milorganite also contains 2.5% iron.

Is Milorganite better than fertilizer?

The concentrated, synthetic fertilizer provides a consistent supply of high amounts of nitrogen that the plant can use immediately. Milorganite, on the other hand, may take a couple of weeks for noticeable greening to occur since it's an organic material that must be decomposed.

Can I mix Milorganite with other fertilizers?

Can I use Milorganite® in combination with other fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides? Yes, Milorganite can be used as part of your overall fertilization and lawn-care program in combination with other products, including fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.

What is milorganite made of?

Milorganite is composed of heat-dried microbes that have digested the organic material in wastewater. It's manufactured by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, which captures waste water from the metropolitan Milwaukee area and uses naturally occurring microbes to digest the nutrients.

Why does milorganite stay on the soil?

It stays on the soil until water and temperature conditions are just right for soil microbes to break down the nutrients in Milorganite for plants to use. Although not necessary, watering in Milorganite will ensure the fertilizer is in contact with the soil and speeds up the fertilization process.

Why did Milorganite® change its bag size from 36 lb. to 32 lb.?

As a means of increasing awareness to over fertilization and the climbing nutrient values of our product , we’ve taken the responsible step of reducing our package size. The 32 lb bag of Milorganite now provides the exact same coverage as the former 36-pound bag—2,500 square feet of lawn. Spreader settings, coverage and effectiveness have not changed.

How to store Milorganite®?

Milorganite like all fertilizers should be stored in a cool, dry area out of the reach of children and animals. If your shed or garage is dry, seasonal fluctuating temperatures will not affect the product quality or effectiveness.

Does Milorganite® kill weeds?

No. Milorganite is strictly a fertilizer. No herbicides are added to kill weeds or pesticides to kill bugs. It promotes a thick, healthy lawn, which helps choke out existing weeds and prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Does Milorganite® contain grass seed?

No, Milorganite doesn’t contain grass seed. It can, however, make spreading grass seed easier and more accurate, especially for smaller seeds, such as bermuda grass. Mix four-parts Milorganite with one-part grass seed by weight. Decrease the amount of Milorganite applied during your normal fertilization schedule to avoid over-fertilization.

Does Milorganite help keep deer away?

Milorganite fertilizer makes no claims regarding its use as a deer repellent. For more information on research and testimonials.

What is milorganite fertilizer?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Milorganite is a brand of biosolids fertilizer produced by treating sewage sludge by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. The term is a portmanteau of the term Milwaukee Organic Nitrogen. The sewer system of the District collects municipal wastewater from the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

How many tons of milorganite are produced annually?

Since its inception, over four million metric tons of Milorganite have been sold. As of 2018, the plant produces in the range of 45,000–49,000 tons of Milorganite per year, which is roughly 2.4 million bags.

Why was milorganite deer repellent denied?

The Environmental Protection Agency denied the application to permit its use as a deer repellant because of a lack of supporting studies showing its environmental impact. "Milorganite Weed and Feed", a combination of Milorganite with 2,4-D, in a partnership with Parker Fertilizer, was considered in 1971.

How many organic chemicals are in biosolids?

These analysis detected 55 of the 87 organic chemicals measured in at least one of the nine biosolid samples, with 45 chemicals found in Milorganite.

What is Milwaukee organic nitrogen?

The term is a portmanteau of the term Milwaukee Organic Nitrogen. The sewer system of the District collects municipal wastewater from the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Is milorganite a toxic substance?

Milorganite contains metals at levels found safe by EPA when Milorganite is used as directed. The EPA has not regulated levels of environmentally toxic manmade dioxins. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, a type of " persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic " (PBT) contaminant, were detected in biosolids in 2001.

When did Milorganite start?

The resulting production is among the largest recycling programs in the world. Milorganite's roots began in 1911 , when local socialist politicians were elected on a platform calling for construction of a wastewater treatment plant to protect against water borne pathogens.

What are the micronutrients in soil?

The micronutrients include: boron (B); copper (Cu); iron (Fe); chloride (Cl); manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo); and, zinc (Zn).

How to ensure there are enough micronutrients in a lawn?

One way to ensure there are enough micronutrients is by applying recycled organic matter. It can be as simple as leaving grass clippings on your lawn or chopping up leaves with your mower to about the size of a quarter and also leaving them on the lawn.

What is milorganite fertilizer?

Milorganite is one of the oldest branded fertilizers on the market. It’s composed of heat-dried microbes that have digested the organic matter in wastewater. Milorganite is manufactured by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

How long does Milorganite last?

Slow-release nutrients, like those in Milorganite, are gradually available for up to 10 weeks, which means fewer applications. This extended feeding provides more uniform growth, a deeper and better-established root system, and a healthier lawn and garden.

How is moisture squeezed out of a milorganite?

Moisture is first squeezed out of the clumps using belt presses resulting in something similar to wet cardboard. The semi-solid material moves on to one of 12 rotary kiln driers heated to 900–1200 ⁰F which heats the Milorganite to an internal temperature of 176°F. The extreme heat kills pathogens.

How is nitrogen delivered to the roots?

At least 80% of the nitrogen in Milorganite is water insoluble (slow release) and is delivered to the roots through microbial activity in the soil, but the conditions need to be right. Microbial activity occurs when soil moisture is adequate and soil temperatures are 55–85 F. The microbes break down the nutrients from Milorganite making them available to plants. When conditions aren’t favorable, Milorganite’s nutrients stay right where they are until there’s enough water and the temperature is within range.

Why fertilize tomatoes with high phosphorus?

This is the main reason you often see fertilizer with high phosphorus labeled as a “bloom” fertilizer. ----To increase the production of your favorite tomatoes, a fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium ratios (low on nitrogen) is your best option.

What is the breakdown process of o rganic based nutrients?

This breakdown process means that o rganic-based nutrients are very resistant to leaching and contain a very low salt index. The nutrients remain in the soil until utilized by plants, and there is very little risk of burning or dehydration - even in periods of extreme drought or over-application.

Is synthetic fertilizer organic?

Synthetic (also called non-organic) fertil izers are manufactured chemically. They are engineered to deliver nutrients rapidly. The faster the better, right? Well - as with all things, there are benefits and drawbacks to those quick-release nutrients.

Overview

Product

Heat-dried biosolids contain slow release organic nitrogen and largely water-insoluble phosphorus bound with iron and aluminum and high organic matter.
Milorganite can be used without restriction on gardens growing food crops intended for human consumption under United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules. The product is tested daily for the presence of heavy metals and weekly for waterborne pathogens. It complies w…

History

Environmental concerns

See also

External links