It’s time to dump those generic 4 step programs fertilizer companies push. Check out this simple, 3 product lawn care program and get real results.
Before I got my lawn care ‘education’, I stuck mostly to the 4 step programs you see at the big box stores. To be honest, my lawn always looked half way decent using these products. The main benefit though was the convenience and availability of these products.
After becoming very familiar with the 4 step programs, I realized that some of the products worked OK, while others barely worked at all.
For starters, the crabgrass pre-emergents didn’t seem to be that effective. My lawn always had a lot of crabgrass each season.
I also noticed plenty of broad leaf weeds, even after applying Weed & Feed.
Eventually I became convinced that the Weed & Feed wasn’t working, even though I was applying it correctly. It greened up my lawn, but didn’t do anything to combat weeds.
After a lot of experimentation, I realized that a next level lawn really came down to 3 products. The best part is these 3 products are usually supplied by the big box stores. If not, you should be able to get them shipped to your store.
Product 1
Lesco 19-0-7 Fertilizer with Dimension Pre Emergent
Dimension is one of the best pre-emergent herbicides out there. It’s a common choice among professionals. It was hard to find in big box stores until Lesco came out with this awesome fertilizer and Dimension combo.
I recommend using this product for your first 2 applications, and then a 3rd time a little later in the season.
Once soil temps are nearing 55 degrees it’s time to throw this product down. About 5 weeks later, it’s time to throw it down again.
The 3rd application is going to be after the hot summer months when soil temps start decreasing back down to 70 degrees.
Crabgrass doesn’t germinate when soil temps are above 70 degrees. But once soil temps start to come back down below the 70 degree mark you’ll get a whole new wave of attack from crabgrass as well as other broad leaf weeds.
This is also the time of year when Poa Annua seeds germinate. Poa Annua can completely take over your lawn, especially after its been stressed during the hot summer months.
Applying the Lesco fertilizer with Dimension when soil temps are heading back down to 70 degrees will help prevent Poa Annua seeds from germinating, as well as other broad leaf weeds.
It’s important to point out that if you plan on doing any fall seeding then don’t apply this product. Doing so will prevent grass seed from from growing. Instead, use a starter fertilizer when applying the new seed.
Check out Greencast to find out when your soil usually hits the two important benchmarks of approaching 55 and coming down below 70.
In terms of a fertilizer, this product provides 19% nitrogen, 0% phosphours, and 7% potassium. The 7% potassium plays a big role in balancing this program since our other go to fertilizer is Milorganite which doesn’t have potassium. Instead it has phosphorus which the Lesco product is lacking.
Product 2
Milorganite 6-4-0
For times when you’re not applying Lesco’s fertilizer and pre-emergent combo, shift to a good organic fertilizer such as Milorganite. I was never a big organic fertilizer guy until I realized all of its benefits:
- Builds soil health instead of temporarily feeding roots
- Slow release for longer lasting results
- Doesn’t burn if over applied or applied in poor conditions
- Eco friendly
Milorganite has 6% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 0% potassium. This works great in this program with the Lesco product since it provides a balance of the Macronutirents N, P, K. It also contains iron which helps give your lawn that dark green color.
Product 3
Ortho Weed B Gone Plus Crabgrass Control, Post Emergent Herbicide
No pre-emergent plan is perfect. No matter how hard you try, there will be some weeds that emerge. The trick is to knock these weeds out right away using a lawn safe liquid herbicide.
All that’s required is walking your lawn and spot treating any broadleaf weeds. This product is a liquid herbicide that comes with a spray wand.
Spot treat weeds a couple days before mowing. This is when the weeds will be easy to spot and it will also be enough time for the herbicide to be absorbed by the weed.
Benefits of This Lawn Care Strategy
1. It’s a more aggressive and effective approach to combating weeds with pre-emergents. This schedule calls for applying pre-emergent herbicides at 3 specific times during the year.
Most of the 4 step programs only cover pre-emergents in the first step. It also uses spot treating for killing developed weeds which is more effective then Weed & Feed products.
2. Focus’s on soil temps instead of calendar dates. Weed seeds don’t care what the date is.
3. All these products are easy to use, and easy to access.
4. It uses organic fertilizer for most of the applications which has many long lasting benefits.
The 3 Product Lawn Care Schedule
Once familiar with the schedule I highly recommend you check out : How to Fertilize Your Lawn
| Timing | Product | App Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right before soil temps hit 55 degrees | Lesco 19-0-7 with Dimension | 3.8 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 2 | 4-5 weeks after previous | Lesco 19-0-7 with Dimension | 3.8 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 3 | 5-6 weeks after previous | Milorganite 6-4-0 | 12 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 4 | 5-6 weeks after previous | Milorganite 6-4-0 | 12 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 5 | Right before soil temps head back down to 70 degrees | Lesco 19-0-7 with Dimension* | 3.8 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 6 | 5-6 weeks after previous | Milorganite 6-4-0 | 12 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| 7 | Optional application right before ground freezes | Milorganite 6-4-0 | 12 lbs per 1000s/f | |
| ** Spot Treat | Weekly | Weed B Gone with Crabgrass Preventer, Liquid | Wet weed leaves |
* If you plan on core aerating and overseeding, or doing any type of seeding in general then don’t apply Lesco with Dimension for round 5. Instead use a starter fertilizer. Lesco and Scotts both make starter fertilizers so either one is a fine choice.
Soil Test for Best Results
While this program is great for putting your lawn care maintenance on auto pilot, it’s recommended you do some simple soil tests every once in awhile to see where you’re at.
A soil test doesn’t have to be complicated. I actually like using a simple one that gives you instant results at home. Check out this post on a soil test I did in the beginning of the season: How to Do a Soil Test
Limitations
This plan makes no mention of treating for grubs, fungus, or insects. The truth is, you may never need to do those things so don’t feel you have to. There’s no need to apply fungicides or insecticides unless you suspect you are having problems.
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How to Kill Weeds Without Killing Grass
White Grubs: Prevention and Treatment
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Gina says
May 17, 2020 at 6:08 pmWhy is it that the soil dries quickly. I can water at night in the morning looks like I haven’t watered in weeks. I’ve had my yard aeriated, thatched and everything else…can you help
Mark says
May 17, 2020 at 11:38 pmCould be your soil is very sandy. I would recommend tops dressing your lawn in the fall using compost. This will add organics to your soil and keep it from drying out so quickly. check out my tutorial on Top Dressing