too late to fertilize grass?

its never to late if using milorganite

home depot

This is the LSU AgCenter’s recommendation for this time of the year. Winterizing Your Lawn

Who conducted your soil test because nitrogen is not included in a LSU AgCenter soil test nor usually any other university’s soil test analysis for lawn, landscape or crop management for the following reason

“Nitrogen recommendations are not based on a routine soil analysis. This is due to the many climatic, chemical and biological factors that influence the amount of nitrogen present in a soil at any given time. Instead of a soil analysis, nitrogen recommendations are based on research results from field experiments to determine the best application rate to attain optimum growing conditions for selected crops. All soil test reports provide standardized annual nitrogen recommendations based on current research.”.

LSU Ag school recommends not using nitrogen after early August. That would include milorganite or anything with nitrogen.

Why I wonder.

You cannot go wrong with Milorganite. You don't have to water it in, it won't burn your lawn, and I promise you that your grass will grow green and thick. It will grow so well that you will almost be sorry you used it. It's currently the time to apply a final time before winter on their recommended schedule, so it's a good time to go ahead and get some.

Late season fertilization (especially with nitrogen) promotes growth. This new growth late in the year can be damaged easily by cold weather.

Everything I've read from LSUAgcenter says the products marketed to "winterize" your lawn does more harm that good. Late August should be the last time you apply fertilizer in South Louisiana.

As the weather cools, take care of the weeds in your lawn and stay on top of fungi. Then enjoy a full green-up next spring.

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This is a quote from the milorganite website “Centipedegrass and Bahia grass prefer spring and summer feedings, and to help prevent winterkill, avoid fertilizing these varieties in the fall.”. LINK. The OP stated he has a centipede lawn. Centipede is far more sensitive, health wise, to excess nitrogen fertilization than St Aug or Bermuda.

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Everything seems to be in agreement that now would be too late for nitrogen. It is always nice when several different perspectives have the same recommendations.

Actually, not having a true fall is a big reason not to fertilize late in the year. Our turf grass does not have time to slowly go dormant like other climates....it basically grows until frost. If you promote fresh new growth with nitrogen fertilizer, that can be killed with a good frost or early freeze.

I don't think its a big deal either way, but applying fertilizer after the end of August is not recommended. LSU AgCenter knows a lot more about plants, grass, etc. than a few folks on a message board. Their recommendations are based off of experience and research here in Louisiana.

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Milorganite

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I'm not familiar with this product.

From the slight bit of research I've done, this sounds like a pretty good product.

For the past few years I have dealt with a chinch bug problem in my Saint Augustine grass starting in August. About 2 years ago I started using TruGreen for year-round service
To help bring my yard back from the dead. The first year I used them my yard looked fantastic. This past year it does not look near as good ( my yard looks identical to my neighbor's yard Who Don't Do Anything other than mow)... I think I can do just as good a job or better on my own..

I think I'll start with routine
Milorganite applications in the spring after I dethatch.