Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application

[1SEIACLONE]

Anyone have recommendation for lawn service in Grimes? Life has gotten a little crazy with kids and work and looking to outsource some of this. Don’t need someone to mow, but could use some help with everything else

We have been using this company the past couple of years, smaller company that just started the past 5 years or so. Decent prices compared to other companies we looked at. FYI, it's owned by two brothers, both ISU grads.

Homepage - Kuberski Brothers Lawn Care, Landscaping & Snow Removal

https://player.vimeo.com/video/917203218

www.kuberskibrothers.com

 

[Clonehomer]

That's the problem though, people that mow it short do so because they're they don't want to do it as often.

You’re only supposed to take 1/3 the height off when mowing, right? So if I haven’t mowed in a while I’ll raise it up higher than 4” and come back a couple days later with a shorter cut.

 

[RustShack]

I do 4" for the first mow or two, but then slowly get down to 3" as the year goes on. I've dug up some of my sod for landscaping and the roots are plenty long.

I do it the other way around. Shorter in the spring and fall, 4” for the summer heat.

 

[ClonerJams]

It’s near that price all year round. I haven’t bought milorganite for several seasons. Is it $15-20 per bag now?

I think Fleet Farm has it for $12.00, but I'll stick with the cheaper Menards stuff

 

[NoCreativity]

You’re only supposed to take 1/3 the height off when mowing, right? So if I haven’t mowed in a while I’ll raise it up higher than 4” and come back a couple days later with a shorter cut.

I don't know about height, but I always keep my mower on the 4 or 5 settings, maybe a little lower for my final fall mow.

 

[dmclone]

This stuff at Menards is the same thing as milorganite but significantly cheaper.

FOREVER GREEN® Natural Slow Release Nitrogen Lawn Fertilizer - 2,500 sq. ft.

FOREVER GREEN® Natural Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer is a ready-to-use fertilizer for use on: lawns, trees and shrubs, flower beds, roses, and gardens. A natural choice to fertilizing.

www.menards.com

Just picked some of this up. Any idea what number should I use on my Scott's spreader?

According to Grok, when using a speedy green broadcast spreader 2000, use 3.5-4 setting

The Bag says 5.75

 

[SayMyName]

It’s near that price all year round. I haven’t bought milorganite for several seasons. Is it $15-20 per bag now?

Theisen's has milorg on sale for $10/bag

 

[spierceisu]

Took some pictures of my front yard. Would it be grub damage? I treated for grubs last year so not sure why it would be that

I ended up getting some grass seed today and plan to dethatch (hope this counteracts the crabgrass preventer I put down) and seed pretty heavy in the spots that are brown. Still not sure what caused it since my yard seems to be the only one effected. I did treat for grubs last year and overseeded last spring. It looked great all year last year but took a hard turn this spring. I was waiting to see if it came back around as it got a bit warmer but no such luck. Maybe the grub damage was done before treatment if it was grubs. It is also weird that the damage is almost specifically the front yard.

 

[Clonehomer]

Now that we’ve finally got some rain, I want to put some fertilizer down before the next rain on Sunday. Still use the crabgrass preventer or go right to the weed and feed?

 

[RustShack]

I ended up getting some grass seed today and plan to dethatch (hope this counteracts the crabgrass preventer I put down) and seed pretty heavy in the spots that are brown. Still not sure what caused it since my yard seems to be the only one effected. I did treat for grubs last year and overseeded last spring. It looked great all year last year but took a hard turn this spring. I was waiting to see if it came back around as it got a bit warmer but no such luck. Maybe the grub damage was done before treatment if it was grubs. It is also weird that the damage is almost specifically the front yard.

How to Fix Bare Spots after Applying Step One Prevent - Grass Pad

Uncle's Seed Sandwich recipe for spot repairs after using pre-emergence. Crabgrass pre-emergence prevents all grass and grassy weed seeds from germinating.

grasspad.com

 

[Agclone91]

I ended up getting some grass seed today and plan to dethatch (hope this counteracts the crabgrass preventer I put down) and seed pretty heavy in the spots that are brown. Still not sure what caused it since my yard seems to be the only one effected. I did treat for grubs last year and overseeded last spring. It looked great all year last year but took a hard turn this spring. I was waiting to see if it came back around as it got a bit warmer but no such luck. Maybe the grub damage was done before treatment if it was grubs. It is also weird that the damage is almost specifically the front yard.

It may not be grubs but there's also a lot of variables with grubs and grub killer that don't necessarily mean it was effective. Insecticide doesn't tend to move through to soil profile very quickly, so depending on timing and how much rain you had after could impact efficacy. Also depends what active you used - imidacloprid vs chlorantraniliprole vs bifenthrin. Some are better at preventing grubs at time of hatch and some are better at killing them after hatch while feeding.

The beetles that come from white grubs typically look for good feeding locations to lay their eggs - this means if your yard is more green than your neighbors during the summer they will choose to lay eggs in your yard, leading to more feeding.

 

[FallOf81]

I wonder what the total national expense is to homeowners who have grub prevention added to their lawn package.

 

[CyCrazy]

I wonder what the total national expense is to homeowners who have grub prevention added to their lawn package.

I wouldn't waste money on grub control anyway.

 

[FallOf81]

I wouldn't waste money on grub control anyway.

It may even exceed new vehicle extended warranty sales.

 

[istater7]

Best product for creeping Charlie? It has crept over from the neighbors over the past several years and is officially a major problem for us now. DIY or hire out weed control?

 

[CyPhallus]

Best product for creeping Charlie? It has crept over from the neighbors over the past several years and is officially a major problem for us now. DIY or hire out weed control?

Hit it with a pretty hot dose of triclopyr. Don't bother with a weed control company, they won't get it all in one application, and neither will you. Make a batch of it in a pump up sprayer and keep on it when you see it.

 

[Agclone91]

Hit it with a pretty hot dose of triclopyr. Don't bother with a weed control company, they won't get it all in one application, and neither will you. Make a batch of it in a pump up sprayer and keep on it when you see it.

As he noted, the key is to stay on top of it when you see it, and done be surprised if it keeps coming back after you spray. It will take multiple applications because of its extensive rhizome system. The best time for actually killing it is in the fall.

 

[MustardTiger]

As he noted, the key is to stay on top of it when you see it, and done be surprised if it keeps coming back after you spray. It will take multiple applications because of its extensive rhizome system. The best time for actually killing it is in the fall.

And to add - Spray a bunch in your neighbors yard too to keep it pushed back. I always made 2-3 passes with the pull behind sprayer in my neighbors yards to keep their **** pulled back from my yard.

 

[cycloner29]

And to add - Spray a bunch in your neighbors yard too to keep it pushed back. I always made 2-3 passes with the pull behind sprayer in my neighbors yards to keep their **** pulled back from my yard.

I’ll walk in the neighbor’s front yard and pop out their dandelions.

 

[MustardTiger]

I’ll walk in the neighbor’s front yard and pop out their dandelions.

Doing God's work. Protect the neighborhood.