I would aerate overseed, and fertilize. twice. I like bluegrass and rye for seed.

Besides mowing, what kind of care has been given. Do you fertilize the lawn. If not, KBG will not thrive. If you have been but do not see results, now would be a good time for a soil test. If it means anything, I have seen a lawn go from "unsalvageable" to excellent over the course of a year, with good management.

How high do you have your mower set? I don't think KBG should be mowed any lower than 3 inches if you want it to thrive. If you can stand it, letting it grow to 4 inches tall is probably even better for it.

Shamefully, we have not been taking very good care of it. We have in the past fertilized sporadically with commercial fertilizers. Once to maybe 3 times a year. We just put down the Scott's fertilizer with Halts. When the forsythia are in bloom, right?

I will have to measure the mower height and I *think* I have DH convinced to mulch this year (unless we let it get too high). We also haven't watered it in the dead of summer ever, really. I guess it would be easy enough to measure rainfall (and water deeply once a week! See, I have been reading!)

I guess I probably know enough to think if we just fertilize, water when needed, mow at the right height, try to keep the weeds away (which stronger turf will help with), and seed in the fall we could be in pretty good - or at least much better - shape. But I'll take validation on that or any further advice...websites, plans, ideas for how to transition to more environmentally friendly fertilizers. I guess I don't know where to go for that stuff - I imagine I would have to drive out to the farm supply stores far, far away for some of the things I have read about on here (which are escaping me at the moment, of course). Although I guess to do that 1-2 times a year wouldn't be terrible depending on the volume we would have to store and the storage properties. I'm open to ideas!

How large is the lawn? How often do you pass a Starbucks?

If your lawn is small enough and you pass enough Starbucks, you can fertilize for free just by stopping and picking up the used coffee grounds (UCG). UCG are only about 2.5% N, so it takes about 40 lbs of UCG to get 1 lb of N. If you add a total of 1 lb N per 1000 sq ft per year, that means you'd need 120 lbs of UCG per 1000 sq ft per year.

I have about 4k sq ft, and am able to get enough UCG for my lawn. I walk backward shaking the bag back and forth to fling the grounds on the lawn. With the bigger bags, I pour them in a bucket and use a scoop. When I run out, I remember where I stopped and start there when I get more grounds. When I finish the lawn, I start again. Instead of applying 1 lb/1000 sq ft at one time and repeating for a total of 3x a year, I just basically continually add some.

Lawn is 1/4 acre minus the house. I pass tons of Starbucks, but I never stop in. I can get Millorganite close, I guess that is pretty much Nitogen too, right? For us a little here and a little there won't cut it because I know we will stop, we do best with more structure, so doing the whole lawn at once is ideal. I appreciate the suggestion, though!

Christine, I'm by Midway and only today do I notice a hint of spring in my lawn! Yes, this weekend will be warm, might even break the record of 87 on Friday, *BUT* it snowed last Sunday night / Monday morning and the soil temps are not sufficient enough to support active growth just yet.

If your lawn 'needs a little', here's a basic plan.

Tax Day / April 15 - Halts / Dimension (pre-emergent)
Mother's Day - Fertilize
Father's Day and 30 + 60 days later (July and August) - Milorganite
Labor Day - Fertilize
Halloween - Fertilize

Don't fall pry to marketing hype / names on the bags. Turf Builder is fine for all seasons and it's perfectly OK to apply so called 'winterizer' in spring (if your soil needs the additional potash - only a soil test will tell)

Water deeply and infrequently - accounting for rain fall, give the lawn 1 inch of water per week all at once.

Mow your lawn at the mowers tallest settings and mulch the clippings.

Come fall, use the mower (mulch) on the leaves.

Thanksgiving - have a nice meal and call it a year.

Thanks for the plan, Gary!

I am definitely not hung up on brand names, I am a value girl for sure! Where do you get Dimension? I am sure we will need a weed and feed. We have a few more dandelions than the neighbors, but what we really have is a thistle issue. We need to stay on top of that this year. I just want a nice lawn.

What is your recommendation for overseeding?

Do not confuse Dimension (chemical name dithiopyr) with weed n feed. Dimension is the active ingredient in crab grass preventers. Just look at the ingredient list on bags of crabgrass preventers to find one with Dimension (dithiopyr). All the big box stores have it. Do not use weed and feed. Use a liquid weed killer instead for your dandelions and other broadleaved weeds. Read the label carefully before purchasing and using lawn chemicals. follow directions carefully. Weed killer will take out dandelions fast. Thistles may take two or three applications 10 days apart. Feed separately with fertilizer.
Bill Hill

Here is a link that might be useful: Dandelions and Broadleaf Weeds