Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application

09clone

Member
Dec 28, 2023
20
44
13
My issue is that those companies often don’t use the “best” timing for your lawn, they do what’s best for them and if their in your neighborhood.
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.
 

spierceisu

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2007
1,122
1,025
113
42
Ankeny
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.
 

ianoconnor

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Nov 11, 2007
13,895
8,184
113
Johnston
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.
 

ackatch

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jul 22, 2021
865
1,499
93
Waukee
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 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.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: khardbored

AgronAlum

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2014
6,710
9,527
113
Question, I have always used straight bluegrass seed. Is their a better alternative? Something that mingles well with bluegrass and doesnt look different early or late in the season or during dry periods. Those are the times different varieties look crappy intermingled with bluegrass. I hate the wide bladed stuff or peculiar looking grass or fescues for that reason. I have awesome soil if that is a consideration.

Not sure where you're at but I've had good luck with Earl May seed. They have a fine blade blend.

 
  • Informative
Reactions: mkadl

khardbored

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2012
10,238
7,581
113
Middle of the Midwest
That's what finally turned me off from using lawn companies. They have more customers than labor to serve them properly so you get them applying product at the wrong time.

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. :rolleyes:
 

FarmerCy1

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2020
272
441
63
40
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.
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
 

mkadl

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2006
2,125
921
113
Cornfield
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 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.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: NickTheGreat

cloneinIC

New Member
Feb 28, 2017
21
1
3
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!
 

FallOf81

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2017
3,010
4,686
113
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.
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.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ianoconnor

cyfreddy

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2006
1,089
76
48
I"m giving this company a try this year, I hope to get my lawn back to looking halfway decent!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CycloneDaddy

JM4CY

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 23, 2012
37,843
74,483
113
America
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!
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.
 

spierceisu

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2007
1,122
1,025
113
42
Ankeny
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 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.
 

NickTheGreat

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jan 17, 2012
10,796
4,767
113
Central Iowa
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.

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.
 

sdclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2007
1,812
908
113
Eklhart, Iowa
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!
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.
 

Latest posts

Help Support Us

Become a patron