RICH & UNRUFFLED

Believe it or not, you don’t need to use a ton of money or time or water or learn complicated techniques to maintain a healthy lawn.

This applies to Mid-west region but can be tailored for other areas too.

4-5 Steps is all you need:

• Step 1 – Apply the *1st stage* Crab-grass preventer & fertilizer combination
  
  When to apply – Early Spring (late March typically), before the crab-grass kicks in.
  Where to buy – I buy this no-frills one from Menards. You could buy similar “1st stage” fertilizers in many brands.
  
  For best results, clean up the lawn a little and remove winter debris (you could use blower as well).
  
  Tip: The trick is to time it with ample rain for max absorption. This applies to all fertilizer/insect control applications.
  
  
• Step 2 – Apply grub control
  
  When to apply – Couple of weeks after the Step 1 typically. For it to be effective, you need warmer weather so that grubs come “up” towards the ground.
  Where to buy – I buy this no-frills one from Menards. You could buy this in any brand.
  
  Tip: Apart from timing it with rain, also keep children and pets away for obvious reasons.
  
  
• Step 3 – Apply the *2nd stage* weed-and-feed
  
  When to apply – Late spring/early summer
  Where to buy – I buy this no-frills one from Menards.
  
  
• Step 4 – Apply the *3rd stage* controlled release nitrogen
  
  When to apply – Mid to late summer
  Where to buy – I buy this no-frills one from Menards.
  
  This is an optional step if your grass is under duress due to a harsh summer. No point fertilizing ‘stressed’ grass.
  
  
• Step 5 – Apply the *last stage* winter application
  
  When to apply – Late fall
  Where to buy – I buy this no-frills one from Menards. You could buy this in any brand.
  
  Tip: Apply this as late as possible, I do this typically in late October.
  

Here’s a picture version of these 5 steps (as shared by Menards):

You could leverage similar 4-step plans from Scott’s too.

Choice of Fertilizer Broadcast Spreader

I use Scott’s Elite Spreader for its accurate, larger spread which means less turns. Got it during off-season, won’t recommend paying full sticker price.

If You Need To Repair Bare Lawn Patches

Rather than raw seeds, use a mix of high-quality seed, mulch and fertilizer for high efficiency- I use below cost-effective, high-quality Schultz brand and have always had great results.

If You Cut Your Own Grass

Keep the blades sharp (blunt blades damage the grass), keep the grass clippings on the lawn as mulch, try to mow before the rain and don’t mow in super hot weather.

Further Reading

Check out this lawn care guide for Illinois – it has bunch of other great tips.

That’s all. Signing off with customary Unruffled Life Pro Tip –

Remember, lawn care is a privilege, not a chore.

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