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Basic Lawn Care / Fertilizer Program

There are many variables regarding which fertilizer analysis is ‘best’ to use. Amount and type of fertilizer used depends on soil type, available irrigation…or precipitation, and the total amount of Nitrogen required per season to reach optimal turf quality. It is usually best to use fertilizer with ‘Slow Release Nitrogen’. Always read and follow label instructions for fertilizers, combination fertilizer and pesticide products, and other lawn pest control products. Above dates are estimates depending on weather. Apply all fertilizers to dry turf and water in, except granular ‘weed & feed’ applications.

* Merit for grub prevention is applied now. Insecticides and fungicides are applied during summer months when infestation(s) are present.

Bluegrasses (1,250,000–1,500,000 seeds per lb.)

ApplicationProductDate
1STFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Crabgrass PreventerMid March – April
2NDFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Broadleaf Weed ControlLate April – Early May
3RDSlow Release Fertilizer Also: Insecticides if needed*Late June – Early July
4THSame as #2 above, or Slow Release FertilizerLate August – September
5THHigher Potash blend w/ Slow Release NitrogenOctober – November

 

 

Perennial Ryegrass (250,000–300,000 seeds per lb.)

ApplicationProductDate
1STFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Crabgrass PreventerMid March – April
2NDFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Broadleaf Weed ControlLate April – Early May
3RDSlow Release Fertilizer Also: Insecticides if needed*Late June – Early July
4THSame as #2 above, or Slow Release FertilizerLate August – September
5THHigher Potash blend w/ Slow Release NitrogenOctober – November

 

Fine Fescues (400,000–700,000 seeds per lb.)

ApplicationProductDate
1STFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Crabgrass PreventerMid March – April
2NDFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Broadleaf Weed ControlLate April – Early May
3RDSlow Release Fertilizer Also: Insecticides if needed*Late June – Early July
4THSame as #2 above, or Slow Release FertilizerLate August – September
5THHigher Potash blend w/ Slow Release NitrogenOctober – November

 

Turf Type Tall Fescue (200,000–250,000 seeds per lb.)

ApplicationProductDate
1STFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Crabgrass PreventerMid March – April
2NDFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Broadleaf Weed ControlLate April – Early May
3RDSlow Release Fertilizer Also: Insecticides if needed*Late June – Early July
4THSame as #2 above, or Slow Release FertilizerLate August – September
5THHigher Potash blend w/ Slow Release NitrogenOctober – November

 

Bentgrass (6,000,000–7,000,000 seeds per lb.)

ApplicationProductDate
1STFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Crabgrass PreventerMid March – April
2NDFertilizer w/ Slow Release + Broadleaf Weed ControlLate April – Early May
3RDSlow Release Fertilizer Also: Insecticides if needed*Late June – Early July
4THSame as #2 above, or Slow Release FertilizerLate August – September
5THHigher Potash blend w/ Slow Release NitrogenOctober – November