Do you know why you needed to repair those spots? It could be a disease process is going on...again on the new grass.

For cool season grasses, most of your fertilizing should be done in late summer and fall. A good way to remember dates is Labor Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Now these dates are location specific, if you are in Maine they will be earlier, later for a location like Virginia. If you are using synthetic fertilizers the first two dates shouldn't be all quick release nitrogen, 50:50 is a good ratio. Lesco carries 25-0-6 which is 50:50. Apply one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. The first number is the percentage of nitrogen per pound. So if you have 1000 square feet, you will need to apply 4 lbs of 25-0-6 since one pound of this fertilizer is 25% N. The second number is for phosphorus (P) and the third is for potassium (K). P is a relatively stable nutrient and doesn't leach of of soils readily, so if your P levels are good, you don't need to add any unless you are seeding. K levels are more stable than N, but they do leach, and most fertilizers have some K to replenish what is used and lost. A good soil test is a good idea to see where your nutrient levels are (www.loganlabs.com $20 basic soil test). The last fertilizer drop of the season should be when top growth has stopped, but the ground isn't frozen. For this application you should use all quick release fertilizer. Quick release nitrogen comes in the form of Urea, Ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium chloride. It is usually listed as quick release or water soluble. Water insoluble is slow release, and is usually found as sulfur coated urea. Whenever you apply fertilizer is always a good idea to water it in to prevent fertilizer burn.

My hubby has the front yard for the grass (except for two raised beds for lillies), and I get the rest of the back side of the house for my type of plants and most of them are natives as they do seem to be happy just where God planted them!I am a grass puller and a weed planter! I have such fun with what God has provided!

Thanks buddy! I try to grow lots of things. Most plants do well, I just have problems with vanishing clematis. I think it may be too wet where I am. I have lost at least a dozen. I'm not too fussed about it because it means I get to buy new and better plants each year. I have a small garden and I am getting ruthless with underachieving plants. I really love hostas and want them to be happy. I bought a beautiful June hosta yesterday and I'm looking for Sagae and Blue Mouse Ears as well. I may have to go to the expensive nursery for these. I got a big June plant for $14.00, it has at least a dozen eyes, at a garden supply place. The June at Garden Works cost $20.00 for 2 eyes. I don't really know what a good price is but I'm so thrilled with the plant that I got so I don't want to know if that is outrageous. I'm going to take a picture of it and post it on the gallery if I can figure out how to do that. I'm so happy to have people to talk to about gardening! No one my age seems interested. Talk to you soon, Erin