Hello, in the past, I've used a lawn care service for taking care of my yard (under 5000 sq ft, bermuda grass). This year, I decided to try it out myself - how good is Scott's 4 step program? https://program.scotts.com/
For my yard, it recommends
Early spring - Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food (in april - so not a pre-emergent!)
Late Spring - Scotts Turf Builder Thick'R Lawn Bermudagrass (May-June)
Early summer - Scotts Turf Builder Summerguard Lawn Food with Insect Control (July)
Fall - Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed (Late Aug)
Does this make sense? or would you recommend a different plan?
Thanks!
Videos
North Texas Spring Grass Prep Schedule | TexAgs
When to Fertilize (Based on Your Grass Type and Soil Temperature)
DFW/TX - Annual lawn care plan
Is it too early to fertilize/seed - Houston Texas
Yes - it is still early January. We will get more cold weather for the next month or so, and the grass won't come roaring back until we have both consistently warmer weather and longer days. Don't fertilize until you are mowing at least every 10 days.
Around your area that is probably closer to mid-late March (or early April) depending on weather. Also, make sure your early season fertilizer applications aren't too nitrogen heavy (use something with a low of slow release nitrogen like Milorganite). Warm season grasses are at their peak in the mid-summer months (June, July, Aug) and that is when you want to fertilize most heavily.
More on reddit.comRecently wrote up a handy guide on when to fertilize. Thought it might be useful to some.
Here are the relevant excerpts:
Soil Temperature Determines the Best Time to Fertilize
Understanding soil temperatures is a key factor in determining the best time to fertilize your lawn. Different grass types thrive in different temperature ranges. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, flourish in soil temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C - 29°C). On the other hand, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue prefer temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C - 24°C). To accurately gauge soil temperature, use a soil thermometer to ensure you're applying fertilizer at the optimal time.
Warm-Season Grasses
During the spring and early summer, when soil temperatures are within the ideal range, it's the perfect time to fertilize warm-season grasses. Aim for late spring to early summer for the first application, followed by additional applications every 6-8 weeks. Be cautious during the peak of summer, as high temperatures can stress the grass. Consider lighter applications during this period.
Cool-Season Grasses
For cool-season grasses, the best times for fertilization are early fall and late fall. Early fall fertilization helps the grass recover from summer stress and promotes root growth. Late fall fertilization focuses on nutrient storage for the winter. Another application in early spring will provide a boost as the grass awakens from its winter dormancy.
You can read the full post here (there are some additional notes on seasonal variations).
You can check your soil temperature here.
In case you missed it: We are offering free soil tests exclusively on r/lawncare! We don't share this code anywhere else, so keep it in the circle of trust. The code is "FREESOILTEST" to get our best-selling soil test kit for free. You just pay $9.95 shipping for a complete laboratory analysis.
Keep it growing, Gnomies! 🌱