Based on your responses, you’ve earned the title of “Turf Tamer.”
We’ve got some time-tested, pro-level tips that will help you reach your goal of a fine-looking lawn while still protecting kids, pets, and our local waterways.
Turf Tamer’s characteristics include:
- Some weed tolerance
- Possibly just starting out and trying different things to see what works
- Have likely tried using weed and feed to fix their lawn
Here’s a few things to consider for the future:
Allowing some weeds to be in your lawn is generally fine. Most are easy to control just by mowing weekly and digging out periodically to keep them from seeding.
If your lawn is overrun with weeds, we recommend starting over; see our tips for that here! The best time to remove an overly-weedy lawn is August 15 to September 15, second best is May to mid June).
When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, you can level up by mulch mowing, a technique which adds free fertilizer to your lawn.
Since you’ve indicated you may have used weed & feed, we hope you’ll check out our video on the Downsides of Weed and Feed. The video highlights potential risks of weed and feed and liquid fertilizer as well as safer alternatives.
Consider taking our pledge to try separating your weed control from fertilizing and not using combination weed and feed.
A Caution about Liquid Fertilizer
Using a slow-release fertilizer is recommended by turf experts over quick release/liquid types because they last longer and are therefore more available for roots to absorb over time, as they need it. It is also safer for our local waterways.
Conversely, liquid fertilizer is easy to over-apply and “burn” (a.k.a. kill) your lawn. Excess fertilizer or fertilizer applied just before a rain can runoff into streams and rivers.
If you decide to use liquid fertilizer, do so in April when the lawn is growing and there are a few dry days ahead in the weather forecast. Apply carefully so that excess fertilizer does not run off the lawn and get into groundwater, local wells, streams and wetlands.
Our Lawn Care Videos
Medium Maintenance Lawn 4min 44sec
Overseeding 1min 38sec
The Downsides of Weed & Feed 55sec
Benefits of Mulch Mowing 32sec
Awesome Weeding Tools
Resources Recommended For You:
Here’s a quick list of our resources covering fertilizing lawns, DIY lawn installation, weeding tools 101, and a searchable list of grasses and groundcovers for a variety of needs and yard conditions.
Grass Seed and Ground Cover All Stars Page
Still need more advice?
Visit the OSU Extension page, where you’ll find a wealth of yard and garden tips.
Can we send you this page for future reference?
Want these tips sent to your email inbox so you can review them and our other resources later? We will also send you any lawn care discounts we have in your area, and ask you if you want to participate in a follow-up survey later this year.
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