Lawn fertilizer

[Matamataman101]

I am trying to find done type of fertilizer or Something I can fertilize my lawns with they won't harm my graders. Any suggestions?

[Nina]

So sorry to be late in replying to your post! In general we don't recommed the use of fertilizers but sometimes they are necessary and even in the wild plants need food to grow, so I'm going to be a bit controversial here. I think you could probably use a liquid seaweed fertilizer or an organic fertilizer, (maybe something made from chicken or fish manure that does not have pesticides, fungicides or herbicides added to it (and many do, so always read the labels). Tortoises are very sensitive to the toxins in pesticides, fungicides etc. so definitely stay away from those. So never, ever use one of the 'weed 'n feed' fertilizers. And I wouldn't use any 'slow release' fertilizer pellets either.

Personally, I never fertilize my grass and it seems to keep growing well, but depending on your soil you might need it. If you do decide to fertilize I would divide your lawn into two areas that can be blocked off from tortoises. Fertilize one section (and I would use a minimum amount), water it well and leave it for about a month (preferably more) so that the fertilizer is absorbed into the soil and no residue remains, and don't allow your tortoises access to that area during that period. Then you could open up that area and close off the second are and fertilize that, and also make that a no go area for at least a month (and make sure that it is well watered during that month). I would also use a fertilizer that enriches the soil, rather than a systemic one that is absorbed directly into the leaves of a plant.

Are you sure that your lawn needs fertilizing? If it's not actually yellow and dying then I would leave it be. It might be a good experiment to just fertilize half of the lawn (or one small section) and then see what difference it makes before you fertilize all of it.

Nina

[CadeBotsford]

Do you know any good and safe fertilizers?

[Nina]

What is it that you would like to fertilize?

Nina