Home and Garden

McGeary Organics 5-3-4, our premium general purpose fertilizer and is what we recommend for the best fertilizer for lawn  usage. In areas with phosphorus restrictions use McGeary Organics 6-0-4. Our McGeary Organics 2-3-4 will also perform well if higher rates are used. Both of these are top organic fertilizer products.

McGeary Organics is now carrying a corn gluten based lawn product, Secure-N-Safe. This natural* fertilizer works as a pre-emergent herbicide. With proper application and timing weed germination can be reduced by nearly 60% in the first year and 85-90% in successive years. These products are in a granular form and can therefore be applied with a spinner spreader.

*This natural product does not meet the National Organic Program requirements for certified organic production.

Application Method

A drop spreader is the most effective way to evenly spread McGeary fertilizers on your lawn. The ingredients McGeary blends into their fertilizers are of different sizes and weights and will therefore behave differently when flung through the air with either a centrifugal spreader or by hand.

Cool Season Grasses

Cool season grasses such as Kentucky Blue Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue, and Bent Grass should be fertilized with 20 pounds per 1000 sq ft of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 in the spring after the flush of rapid growth slows. Apply and additional 20 pounds in the mid to late fall. In areas with phosphorus restrictions use McGeary Organics 6-0-4.

Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses such as Bahia, Bermuda, Blue Grama, Buffalo, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Zoysia should be fertilized 20 pounds per 1000 sq ft of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 in early spring. Apply an additional 20 pounds mid summer. In areas with phosphorus restrictions use McGeary Organics 6-0-4.

New Lawn Seedings

Incorporate 10 pounds per 1000 sq ft of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 into the soil, ideally about a week prior to seeding prior to seeding, Apply an additional 10 pounds when the grass is well established in 4 to 6 weeks.

Flowers & Bulbs

McGeary’s McGeary Organics 3-5-3 is what we recommend for flowers and bulbs due to the higher ratio of phosphorus which promotes flowering. McGeary Organics 2-3-4 and our general Purpose fertilizer McGeary Organics 5-3-4 will also perform well if the rates are adjusted based on the nitrogen content. The general purpose McGeary Organics 5-3-4 is also a very good lawn organic fertilizer.

Annuals

Incorporate 1/2 pound per 10 sq ft of McGeary Organics 3-5-3 prior to planting. Optionally, cultivate in another 1/2 pound when the flowers are just beginning to bloom being careful not to damage roots.

Perennials

Without damaging roots, cultivate in 1/2 pound of

McGeary Organics 3-5-3 in early spring. This should be done before new shoots begin to grow. A second application can be made in late summer to plants that bloom late in the season.

Trees and Shrubs

McGeary Organics 5-3-4 is what we recommend for trees and shrubs. Woody ornamental plants do not have phosphorus and potassium requirements as high as flowering plants and vegetables. Fruit and nut trees on the other hand do have high phosphorus and potassium needs and should therefore be fertilized with McGeary Organics 2-3-4.

Application Method

Trees that are growing in fertilized lawns are (organic fertilizer lawns) probably receiving enough fertilizer and are not likely to benefit from additional applications. In general it is best to avoid fertilizing trees late in the season, particularly in cold climates, because they will not harden off as well. Tree roots extend beyond the drip line of the leaves. Fertilizer should therefore be applied a short distance outside the drip line in addition to under the tree.

Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs should be fertilized once in the early spring prior to new shoot growth. Apply 5 pounds of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 to evergreen trees, and 8 pounds to deciduous trees. For small trees (under 15 feet) and shrubs use 1 to 3 pounds.

Fruit and Nut Trees

Fertilize with 5-8 pounds of McGeary Organics 2-3-4 in early spring prior to bud break.

Berries

Berries should receive ½ pound McGeary Organics 5-3-4 per mature plant (halve the rate for young plants). For best results incorporate fertilizer into the soil without damaging roots early in the spring prior to bud break.

Grapes

Fertilize each plant with 4 pounds of McGeary Organics 2-3-4 in late winter while the vines are still dormant. For best results incorporate fertilizer into the soil without damaging roots.

Vegetables

McGeary Organics 2-3-4 makes an excellent organic fertilizer for vegetables which require high levels of potassium for starch production. McGeary Organics 5-3-4 is also a good choice, particularly for soils with low organic matter levels and therefore limited nitrogen availability.

Application Method

Fertilizer applied at planting can be incorporated into the soil, or banded several inches below the seed row. Applications to growing plants should also be incorporated in to the soil with special care taken not to damage roots.

Vegetables Crops

Asparagus 2½ lbs in spring, and an additional 2½ lbs in summer.

Beans and Peas 3 lbs at planting, and an additional 3 lbs 1 month later.

Cabbage 3½ lbs at planting and 3½ lbs I month later.

Carrots 2½ lbs at planting and 7½ lbs I month later

Cauliflower and Broccoli 4 lbs at planting and 6 lbs I month later.

Celery 4 lbs at planting and 6 lbs I month later.

Cucumber 4 lbs ft at planting and 6 lbs when vines reach 3 feet in length.

Eggplant 4 lbs at planting and 5 lbs I month later.

Lettuce 4 lbs at planting and 6 lbs I month later.

Onions 4½ lbs banned 4 inches directly below the seed row at planting, and another 4½ lbs just prior to bulb formation.

Potatoes 4 lbs banded near, but not touching seed potatoes, and 6 lbs at tuber initiation (approximately 50 days later).

Radish, Turnip, and Rutabaga 4 lbs banded several inches below the seed row at planting.

Spinach 4 lbs shallowly incorporated at planting, and 4 lbs 7 weeks later.

Sweet Corn 4½ lbs at planting, and 4½ lbs 5 weeks later.

Sweet Potatoes 4 lbs at planting, and 3 lbs prior to vines running.

Tomatoes 4 lbs at planting, and 6 lbs 1 month later.

Water Mellon and Cantaloupe 4 lbs at planting and 6 lbs prior to flowering.

1 cup = (approx) ½ lb.

Field Corn

Although McGeary Organics 3-5-3 can be applied up to 600 lb per acre, it is most effectively used as a starter organic fertilizer at lower rates, particularly when planting early in cool soils. Banding in the row will be most effective. When the crop is 'knee high' side dress with McGeary Organics 8-1-1 at a rate of 70 lb per 25 bushels of expected yield or as indicated by a pre side dress nitrate test.

Alternatively use 100 lb of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 (or McGeary Organic 6-0-4 in high phosphorus soils) per 25 bushels of expected yield. This should be adjusted based on manure applications and existing soil nutrients as determined by soil testing. Ideally this should be incorporated just prior to planting.

Note: rates vary greatly depending on soil nutrient levels, expected yield, as well as with manure applications and green manure crops and legumes in the rotation. As a general rule lower fertilizer rates are can be used following manure applications and legume crops.

Small Grains

For small grains apply 300-600 lb of McGeary Organics 5-3-4 (or McGeary Organic 6-0-4 in high phosphorus soils) per acre at planting in the fall. A second organic fertilizer application of 100-300 lbs per acre McGeary Organics 8-1-1 in late winter-early spring (late February, early March) will significantly increase yields.

Note: rates vary greatly depending on soil nutrient levels, expected yield, as well as with manure applications and green manure crops and legumes in the rotation. As a general rule lower fertilizer rates are can be used following manure applications and legume crops.

Soybeans

Apply 300-500 pounds McGeary Organics 2-3-4 per acre at planting.

McGeary Organics 0-2-9 works well on beans where the phosphorus tests high and potassium is low.

Note: rates vary greatly depending on soil nutrient levels, expected yield, as well as with manure applications. As a general rule lower fertilizer rates are can be used following manure applications.

Alfalfa & Hay

For new grass and legume seedings McGeary Organics 2-3-4 is a good starter top organic fertilizer at the rate of 400 lb per acre. It may also be top-dressed after first and second cutting at 150 lb per acre each cutting.

For alfalfa, clover or other legumes, apply 400 lb McGeary Organics 0-2-9 per acre as a wintering blend. Soil tests should be taken to determine the necessity of adding specific micro minerals. Legumes do have specific trace mineral requirements.

Note: rates vary greatly depending on soil nutrient levels, expected yield, as well as with manure applications . As a general rule lower fertilizer rates are can be used following manure applications.