Lawn Fertilizer

[azepp]

And while we're at it... how long after fertilizing should I wait to do a soil test? It would seem like I wouldn't want to do one right after I fertilized or the results might be skewed. Any advice on that?

[Turn2]

Where do you find "finely screened" compost?

Not sure, but a yard in my neighborhood (Ankeny) got a truckload or so spread on it a few weeks after sodding. Now 2 years later that lawn outshines all the neighbor's yards.

I'm not sure just what the sweat is about over soil testing for grass. If you were starting a large garden, well then okay. But for bluegrass? You've got Iowa dirt. It is fertile and will grow grass. The limiting factor is more likely the condition your soil is in. If it is compacted the fertility is irrelevant. Oxygen starved soil that won't even support earthworms won't produce much of a lawn unless you pour on a regular stream of nitrogen and water. Then eventually fungus or grubs will wipe you out.