Yard Care for Dummies

[wxman1]

Yet another lawn care thread! Since most of the threads are more of a specific question I thought I would start one for a general when do I do xyz kind of a thing. Not looking to live on Augusta National or anything but I do like having a decent looking yard.

So when are the best times to dethatch, aerate, plant grass seed, fertilize etc? Also on the seed and fertilizer front what do you use and where do you get it?

 

[3TrueFans]

My basic yard care plan involves using my phone to contact a lawn care company, and then I pay them way too much money than I should to have pretty grass.

 

[BCClone]

I found the best times to do everything you ask is my busiest time of the year. I now write a check every March and call it good. Except dethatching. Pretty simple so I do that when the lawn greens up and close to the first mowing.

 

[jdcyclone19]

Spring - Fertilizer with dimension
Early Summer - Fertilizer/ weed management (i like trimec for basic yard care)
Late Summer/Early Fall - Fertilize/weed management
Fall - Winterizer fertilizer, one last weed spray, aerate, spread seed

I typically don't detach as I have a mulching mower and use that layer to help build organic material.

I'd also getting a soil sample to see what nutrients are in your soil. Soil kitchen in Ankeny does it for $14.

 

[BCClone]

Spring - Fertilizer with dimension
Early Summer - Fertilizer/weed
Late Summer/Early Fall - Fertilize/weed
Fall - Winterizer fertilizer, one last weed spray, aerate, spread seed

I typically don't detach as I have a mulching mower and use that layer to help build organic material.

I'd also getting a soil sample to see what nutrients are in your soil. Soil kitchen in Ankeny does it for $14.

You fertilize 4 times a year?

 

[jdcyclone19]

You fertilize 4 times a year?

Yea, 3-4 is pretty common. A lot of places even do 5.

Some years I only do spring/summer/fall depending on how much rain we get and my schedule.

Nicest lawn on my street

 

[BCClone]

Yea, 3-4 is pretty common. A lot of places even do 5.

Some years I only do spring/summer/fall depending on how much rain we get and my schedule.

Nicest lawn on my street

Wow, I do it one time and mine is just as nice as any other one in town. I figured you bagged it with that much fertilizing but I see you mulch.

Curious, if you mulch, where do you think all the nutrients disappear to? I can see some N which is more volatile but any P, K or micros should just go back into the ground with the grass decomposing. N would not be valid on a soil test, so once you get the fertility to adequate levels, you should be able to go a very light fertilizer application to handle any potential removal.

 

[chuckd4735]

I got advise here a few years ago to go with the programs at Earl May, and have had a lot of success. We dont have the best lawn in the neighborhood, but no where near the worst.

I do their 5 bag-program for about $125 per year.

https://www.earlmay.com/lawn-care/lawn-care-programs/

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Helpful tip but don't wast your money on Scott's. I worked at Menard's when I was in college and I was told by our Scott's rep that the Menard's fertilizer is almost exactly the same as Scott's. He said that if there is one application that the Scottt's Brand truly outperforms on it's the weed and feed.

 

[FerShizzle]

MILORGANITE

Use this stuff frequently. They sell it at Menards. $7.00 per bag. Its organic and non-burning, which means that it is pet safe and wont damage your lawn if you put down too much or too frequently.

https://www.milorganite.com/using-milorganite/what-is-milorganite



*USE THIS IN ADDITION TO A FERTILIZER REGIMEN

 

[cyhiphopp]

Yea, 3-4 is pretty common. A lot of places even do 5.

Some years I only do spring/summer/fall depending on how much rain we get and my schedule.

Nicest lawn on my street

How would you feel if my dog peed on your lawn? Just asking.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Here's a random lawn question:

We have a tree in our front yard and the roots are very exposed causing issues with mowing. Is there anything we can do short of putting down more dirt and sod to see if we can raise the lawn up?

 

[2forISU]

Helpful tip but don't wast your money on Scott's. I worked at Menard's when I was in college and I was told by our Scott's rep that the Menard's fertilizer is almost exactly the same as Scott's. He said that if there is one application that the Scottt's Brand truly outperforms on it's the weed and feed.

I have used other brands and have been disappointed, so I have stuck with Scotts and it has treated me well.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I have used other brands and have been disappointed, so I have stuck with Scotts and it has treated me well.

I get it..stick with what works for you. I'm just passing on info that I was given. I've had excellent results from the Menards stuff...

 

[BCClone]

Here's a random lawn question:

We have a tree in our front yard and the roots are very exposed causing issues with mowing. Is there anything we can do short of putting down more dirt and sod to see if we can raise the lawn up?

You could cut down the tree or tear up the roots giving trouble.

 

[2forISU]

This site needs a podcast or Q/A with the grounds team at ISU and have them share their expert advice for grass upkeep. Every time I see Jack Trice, I'm amazed by the job they do.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

Here's a random lawn question:

We have a tree in our front yard and the roots are very exposed causing issues with mowing. Is there anything we can do short of putting down more dirt and sod to see if we can raise the lawn up?

 

[wxman1]

I got advise here a few years ago to go with the programs at Earl May, and have had a lot of success. We dont have the best lawn in the neighborhood, but no where near the worst.

I do their 5 bag-program for about $125 per year.

https://www.earlmay.com/lawn-care/lawn-care-programs/

I got a mailer for a special there a couple of weeks ago and meant to go in but lost track of time and forgot. They seemed to market it as more of a local/regional fertilizer so it is supposed to do better here than the national brands that just have one formula. Is that true or just marketing B.S.?

I have used a mix of Ace, Scotts and Menards in the past and never noticed much difference between them.

I do mulch the grass as much as possible so I am assuming that helps. It sounds like detaching is not completely necessary but how much will aerating help?

 

[wxman1]

This site needs a podcast or Q/A with the grounds team at ISU and have them share their expert advice for grass upkeep. Every time I see Jack Trice, I'm amazed by the job they do.

@ChrisMWilliams @JStanz51 get on it!

 

[Clonefan32]

My basic yard care plan involves using my phone to contact a lawn care company, and then I pay them way too much money than I should to have pretty grass.

At least you wind up with pretty grass. I pay a yard care company for the ability to stare at my grass and try to decide if it looks any different.