quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Early spring he does fertilizer plus crab grass preventer, late spring he does a separate non-atrazine weed spray and then uses a broadcast spreader for fertilizer, mid-summer applies another fertilizer, and in the fall uses a fall fertilizer.

That's almost exactly what I do.

Scotts has an easy to follow 4 step line of granules that is widely available and works pretty well. Fertilizer with pre-emergent weed preventer for late winter/early spring, weed and feed for mid/late spring, fertilizer for summer, and a different fertilizer for fall.

I started out using a wheeled rotary spreader, but it's a bit overkill for my ~0.15 acre lawn. I now use a handheld electric broadcast spreader. Sometimes I use premixed liquid weed-and-feed applied with the garden hose, which seems to work a little better than the granules.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I buy my lawn chemicals from Ace Hardware as they sell products made in Houston specifically for our grass and soils (Texas A&M turf scientists recommend 3-1-2, 3-0-2, 4-1-2, or 4-0-2) including extra needed minerals like iron and sulfur and slow release nitrogen so it doesn't burn the grass when it's hot. Perhaps the OPs' Ace Hardware does the same for PA specific products.

Good to know, once I get my sprinklers fixed (again) I'll be heading to our local Ace to see what they have.
They had everything I needed for my first pass at sprinkler repair (though I had to go with regular turn valves instead of 1/4 turns) & helpful staff.

Texas grass is much different than PA grass and I'm sure the requirements are unique as well, so I'll not chime in on what and when you need to treat. However, no matter where you live or what type of grass you have I'm a firm believer in specific products for specific needs. Fertilize with the proper formula product for your grass and use separate weed and/or disease control at the appropriate time which may not be the same timing as fertilization. In other words, a combo weed and feed isn't always (seldom) the best method.

I no longer do this my self as I've found the family owned business I deal with charges about the same as it would be for me to buy the product alone. They guarantee their work to reasonable expectations so if they treat for weeds and they don't go away, they come back and fix it.

A good source for product is a rural feed store, which usually beats the big box stores for pricing, Of course if you have to go far out of your way to find a feed store, the convenience of a local Lowes or HD might be a better choice, but don't expect much expert advice.

Even the rotary spreaders tend to distribute heavier to one side than the other. My favorite neighbor always joked about it being a "striper" since part of yard would be greener than others.

For home users I have had great luck with the shoulder mounted spreaders, primarily intended for seed but work great for fertilizer, grub killer, etc. Picture example below, lots of options. Mine is a canvas bag and has lasted for a decade+.

Advantage is primarily even spreading, but you also have MUCH better visibility and control over where the coverage starts and stops. The hopper opening is hand controlled and you can cut off supply as you come a spot to turn, or into a slot, etc. Easy to see where edges are and you keep the diameter consistent, in fact control it and the density of spread to a degree, by how hard you turn crank. Walk behinds vary with your speed and terrain, and few of us have an Augusta National grade terrain.

You do have to rig up something to hold much open as you pour product in - I use an old coke or beer 12-pack box with ends cut off - fits in perfectly and can pull out after filling.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I run triple 16 on my lawn twice a year.

That ratio is a little off for lawns.

I have a "northern lawn" that tatortodd alluded to.

I'm basically growing a lawn in dead dirt (not soil) and rock in a pine forest up north.

This mix works great and everyone around here uses the same. The local hardware store has a hard time keeping it in stock as it is so popular.

I would think that in more fertile ground that just needs a boost from time to time, a broadcast type spreader with a different ratio would work well. On my lawn, however, it needs a big boost directly applied evenly to do well. I've tried the broadcast spreaders and only end up with uneven growth and color due to the fact that it's too difficult to judge where it flies. With the drop spreader I know exactly where I'm putting it and can spread evenly.

We had Chem-lawn a few years and they wanted to fertilize 6 times a year also treat for grubs (didn’t have any) and spray our trees for something, and damn near killed one. We dropped them and got a local doing only what we want done and the yard is doing fine.

quote:

Originally posted by satch:
We had Chem-lawn a few years and they wanted to fertilize 6 times a year also treat for grubs (didn’t have any) and spray our trees for something, and damn near killed one. We dropped them and got a local doing only what we want done and the yard is doing fine.

I may go local as well, my free time with 6, 3 year old and 7 month old children is quite limited these days.

My wife actually remarked to me late last year and basically said “why does our grass look worse than everyone else around? Isn’t Lawn Doctor coming out six times a year?“

It was true, I think they were totally overdoing it.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I run triple 16 on my lawn twice a year.

That ratio is a little off for lawns.

I have a "northern lawn" that tatortodd alluded to.

I'm basically growing a lawn in dead dirt (not soil) and rock in a pine forest up north.

This mix works great and everyone around here uses the same. The local hardware store has a hard time keeping it in stock as it is so popular.

I would think that in more fertile ground that just needs a boost from time to time, a broadcast type spreader with a different ratio would work well. On my lawn, however, it needs a big boost directly applied evenly to do well. I've tried the broadcast spreaders and only end up with uneven growth and color due to the fact that it's too difficult to judge where it flies. With the drop spreader I know exactly where I'm putting it and can spread evenly.

I don’t know crap about growing grass in Montana but below is food for thought.

Have you ever had soil testing done?

The reason I ask is that down here phosphorus (the 2nd number) doesn’t deplete/leach out. We have to be careful or we’ll end up with too much and like most things too much is bad. That’s why we use a ratio of 3-1-2 (eg 15-5-10) instead of a 16-16-16.

In NW Montana I use a service that fertilizes and kills weeds 3 times a year. I have a lawn of about 3 acres. It is gorgeous. Last fall the UPS guy asked me how I liked living on a golf course.

I used to do it myself by pulling a rotary spreader behind my ATV. I bought 16-16-16 in one-ton bags. I like what the lawn service does better. Not a weed to be found.

Yeah, it kinda depends. If in a neighborhood & wanting to stay with the averages, go for it.

I’m kinda rural. I have done a touch of ‘weed & feed’ over the years, none in the last 5. I do put on a little regular lawn fertilizer at times, once a year or so.

Our dog is always running about, kids before that. I really don’t mind dandelions all that much, mainly early summer anyway.

I’ve never had a lawn service. I have seen plenty of lawns more pristine & weed free than ours. I do compliment the owners when I see such.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
In NW Montana I use a service that fertilizes and kills weeds 3 times a year.

Looks like around the north end of Whitefish Stage.

Nice looking back yard.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
In NW Montana I use a service that fertilizes and kills weeds 3 times a year.

Looks like around the north end of Whitefish Stage.

Nice looking back yard.

Good guess!