I put the preemerge down this morning- worse case if I lose effectiveness I’ll just spray during the summer
Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application
- Thread starter spierceisu
- Start date
Ideally, you want to get it down when soil temps are around 50-55 degrees. In Ames right now we have been hovering around 46-48 degrees so not quite there yet. I usually do it between April 5-15th depending on soil temps. Most lawn companies do it too early because they have too many yards to treat.
What product does everyone use? I have started using Menards brand and had decent results and the price is pretty good. Was using Lesco and it seemed decent but was on the expensive end. I thought about trying the Scotts Triple Action because it would have a Weed-n-Feed aspect to it which is usually a later application.
I had been using the Lesco 0-0-7 stonewall preemergent from Lowe's but apparently they don't carry it anymore.
Outside of the pre emergent I use the Menards lawn food for all other apps and it's been solid.
Outside of the pre emergent I use the Menards lawn food for all other apps and it's been solid.
I swore by Scotts stuff until last year when the bags went over $80 for the 10,000 sq foot. Being that I need to cover about 20,000 sq feet... it added up. I switched to the Fleet Farm brand and had the exact same, if not better results. I was buying Scotts from Home Depot where the stuff sits out in the elements and clumps up. FF is inside and I've never had a clump.
Not sure where you're at but I've had good luck with Earl May seed. They have a fine blade blend.
Maypark Grass Seed Mix
DetailsAn Earl May exclusive, this is truly an ultra-premium blend for that picturesque lawn. Maypark lawn seed combines the very best fine-bladed grasses on the market. Our professionals have blended the best bluegrasses for sun along with just enough fine fescue to tolerate those shady spots...
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I used a pro company one time, a few years ago. They would come at the worst times. It would be blazing hot and they run their very heavy machine over my yard and kill grass - it just happened to match up with their tire tracks, and they said it was a "lawn fungus" not their fault.
Also, I love how this thread comes around every year!!! 
"A tradition unlike any other!"
"A tradition unlike any other!"
Fleet Farm Superior product. It’s the same chemistry as Scotts and half the price. I normally use 2.5 50,000 sq. Ft. Bags- I’m able to do my whole yard for the price of one Scotts bag and it’s a higher quality
I use Bomgaars store brand CRABGRASS preventer. My soil tests indicate low N every year. P & K good. I use the crabgrass preventer for the nitrogen, I apply it April and late May. It can be found at our local Bomgaars in off season times for 9.99 per 1000 sq/feet. I look at the price every time I go in the store.
Very new to growing grass here. so any info is helpful!
I bought the Menards 4 step. From what i have found it says to wait several weeks after putting the 1st step down to put Seed in. My lawn has many bare spots already this spring and am wanting to try and grow grass asap. Anyone know what the best timing for trying to seed while on the 4 step fertilizer? (I also did seed last fall oct/nov) Any insight would help!
I bought the Menards 4 step. From what i have found it says to wait several weeks after putting the 1st step down to put Seed in. My lawn has many bare spots already this spring and am wanting to try and grow grass asap. Anyone know what the best timing for trying to seed while on the 4 step fertilizer? (I also did seed last fall oct/nov) Any insight would help!
Should check for a Lesco supplier in your area. SiteOne Landscape Supply. They sell to yard care companies. They'll most likely sell direct to public. I use one and have a Lesco spreader. But I also use a lot of product on my yard.
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I"m giving this company a try this year, I hope to get my lawn back to looking halfway decent!
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You might need to wait longer than that and end up watering the hell out of it in June/July to get it to take well.
I would just put down fertilizer without crabgrass preventer as the first step if you plan on seeding grass. The reason you have to wait with crabgrass preventer is that it prevents crabgrass from germinating, which will also stop the new grass seed from germinating and it will not grow.
I also switched to Bomgaars stuff for my 5 step several years ago. I really like the Earl May stuff, but it got crazy expensive.
I've got burned in the past by waiting to buy the later steps later in the season. I now just buy all of them this time of year and keep in the garage.
Best to wait until mid September to seed. In the spring you have a pre emergent that will kill any type of seed that starts to germinate. Its also harder to control weeds with a new grass as the weed control can cause issues with the new grass that has started. You will also have to user a lot of water in the summer to keep the new grass healthy. This makes fall the best time with cooler temps, usually more rain, which the grass seed will germinate and thrive off of.
I went ahead and did it in CR this morning. Probably a little early, but with the rain I figured it was worth a shot.
I would say so. You want the two inch soil temp depth to be around 50 degree and the 4 inch depth is 50 degrees in Polk County.
