springtime

It's a little early yet but not too early to start making those 2009 yard care plans. The first application should be mid-March so back by popular demand, here it is, the John Conyer Yard Care Program©.

First Application

Mid March to April 1st depending on soil temps

Scotts® Turf Builder® With Halts® Crabgrass Preventer
This could be the most important application of the year and timing is critical. Crabgrass seeds begin germination when soil temps reach 60 degrees. This product will not kill crabgrass. It only “HALTS” the seed germination.

Second Application (use one of the two listed)
May 15th ish

Scotts® Turf Builder® With PLUS 2® Weed Control - Use if you have a broad leaf weed problem) I do not have a broad leaf weed problem so I use – see below
Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer with 2% Iron – May 15th ish

Third & Fourth Application
Mid June ish

Scotts® Turf Builder® With SummerGuard – This is a good product for pet owners. This will kill off ants, armyworms, billbugs, chiggers, chinch bugs, crickets, fleas, grasshoppers, mole crickets, mealy bugs, sod webworms (lawn moth larvae), spiders, ticks, weevils. It also feeds and strengthens grass for the upcoming hot months.

Mid June ish one week after above treatment

Scotts® GrubEx® Season-Long Grub Killer – This is very important. I skipped this last year and spent more money fixing dead spots than the twenty dollar bag would have cost me. Grubs are bad in many ways. One they come to the top of the soil in mid June. They will chew the grass roots off and kill your grass. You can tell if you have them if you grab a fist of grass and it comes right up. Grubs also encourage moles, skunks and other animals that will eat them. This product has no fertilizer in it.

Fifth Application
Mid August

Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer with 2% Iron - Nothing special here, just a feeding. This can be skipped if you want

Sixth Application

Mid September

I will be over-seeding this year with a better seed than what the builder used something more heat tolerant. Over seeding is simply seeding over the existing lawn. I will probably only do the front. It is tough to the entire yard and keep the seed properly watered.

When over-seeding I will use: Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer – This has a lower nitrogen content allowing for good seed germination. Keep lawn damp as much as possible. The cool damp nights help this in the fall.

Step 1 – Full Yard Aeration – helps loosen compacted clay soil
Step 2 – Seed front yard only
Step 3 – Apply Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer and keep seed damp

Seventh Application

Thanksgiving

Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard With PLUS 2® Weed Control – You will not see any immediate results from this. This is a jump start for next spring and it will kill off any cool season broad leaf weeds. This product helps root production and helps store carbohydrates for the winter.