From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Any opinions on using Weed and Feed fertilizer to increase Nitrogen levels now to prepare for the growing season? What I have is 28% nitrogen but since it is advertised for grass growth and weed control will this damage the pumpkin plant or other vegatables later on?

4/5/2006 6:09:32 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2,4-D is bad enough. But the Dicamba in some Weed&Feeds will keep killing your pumpkins for several years.

Don't do it.

4/5/2006 7:05:58 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You dont even want to weed and feed your lawn next to the pumpkin patch...Or use the grass clipping from a lawn the was applied weed and feed.
LIKE STEVE SAID NO..

4/5/2006 9:29:13 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I really appreciate it guys, I knew I'd get the right answers here! Whats my best bet to increase nitrogen in the soil?

4/5/2006 10:57:54 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

In the long term most Nitrogen needs are met by building up the organic matter of the soil. However on low OM soil or early in the year when soil is still cool, some growers find the need to add a little soluble N.

Urea (46-0-0) is the most common single source material.

Before we get into rates....

Was a soil test done?

4/5/2006 11:32:18 PM

Midwest

Coffee grounds can be applied along with other materials as a side dressing. Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, but are also acidic. Adding brown material such as leaves and dried grass will help keep a balanced soil pH. A natural replellant for root maggots. Applied to a compost pile acts as a good source of carbon and nitrogen. Acts as a green material with a carbon to nitrogen ration of 20:1. Contains Nitrogen, Calcium, potassium and MAGNESIUM (a source of magnesium for those CT soils!) You just can't let it be caked on or in the soil because it would block water and worms. And, worms love it! It's free. Coffee grounds are given away by Starbucks.
Several gardeners use it The amount to use depends on your soil type and soil test.

4/5/2006 11:54:16 PM

Midwest

I think I got Mg (Magnesium) mixed up with Mn (Maganese) I don't think coffee grounds have Mn.

4/6/2006 12:08:28 AM

ENGLAND

Take that box/bag of Weed & Feed to your nearest disposal site and never allow your self to utter those words again LOL. I think a site search for Weed & Feed on here will bring up some real horror stories. As for Coffee Grounds, it has turned an area of soil here into a wormfest where once there was no soil life at all.

4/6/2006 6:57:17 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

The ONLY safe weed and feed is corn gluten meal. It is 10% nitrogen and is a natural pre-emergence herbicide. I tried it last year and it worked without hurting pumpkins.

4/6/2006 9:00:46 AM

Montoursville, PA

The way corn gluten works is doing damage, to hair roots. I wonder how one determines what percentage has, to be lost, before one sees the loss, in a pumpkin patch.

The makers strongly suggest it only be used on mature and developed grassland. The losses are never seen because the yards are developed and only new tender hair roots namely the rectels is squelched by the corn gluten.

I have never read that it would not effect hair roots innoculated by fungi spore. I think not but that is only a guess. So if the plant is innoculated the tender hair roots may be protected by fungi. I still prefer to not use corn gluten because, of unknowns and unproven conditions.

6/21/2006 6:49:52 PM