The jump point is usually May first, across the majority of the United States (including MA). While fertilization earlier than that using organics isn't going to cause a problem, there's no real reason to. The lawn doesn't need it if you winterized. If you didn't winterize, a weak fertilization when growth resumes might not be a bad idea. Half rate on Milorganite or around 7 to 8 pounds of soybean meal per thousand will do it fine. Then feed normally May 1-May 20th. But it also wouldn't be an error to just wait for May. The grass will manage. Time between fertilizations...variable. Post May, I won't feed until August again. The grass doesn't need summer fertilization. Although again, done organically, it's not a problem. It's just not strictly necessary. Fall is the season to hit it hard. I feed monthly August to October, which starts to release three weeks post feeding. After that, winterize when it's time and call it a year. Southern grasses will differ as their growth tendencies differ. Northern lawns are more cyclic. Feeding like that means you never run out of nitrogen and rarely, if ever, see signs that the lawn can use a feeding (if you do, it happens in late April when you're already thinking about it anyway).

Yes, Laura, I'm putting a lot of faith in you guys!! :D LOL The way everyone here goes on about it, I guess it must have a good success rate :) It's very exciting, because I was able to get seed in trades for a lot of things I've been really wanting, but was going to have to pay $5-$10 a plant to get them. And some things, like the white beautyberry, I just couldn't find anywhere. The quest for the white beautyberry is what started the whole thing. I saw one at our local botanical gardens and fell in love. I went back to see if some of the berries might accidentally fall into my pocket (shh!), but they had already cut it back. Oh no! So off I went to search the internet, and I came up with nothing. I had been casually browsing the winter sowing forum (it was up at the top of the page on all forums for a while), and my curiosity was piqued. When I couldn't find the white beautyberry anywhere, I noticed there was a Seed Exchange forum. I started stalking people's trade lists. Then I started seeing lots of other things I'd been wanting. And I couldn't believe that there was a forum where you could just trade for these things, for postage. Wow! I had a few seeds from some of my plants, and some I'd gotten in a trade at a plant swap. I started trading with people, and about three trades into it I found someone who had...white beautyberry!!! I offered her anything I had, told her what was in my garden I could take cuttings from, basically begged like a...beggar. :p She was so sweet - she didn't want or need anything I had, but offered to send me some for postage! She also included some purple ones. The people at the Seed Exchange and here in WSing have been so kind and helpful. I remember reading in the FAQs, trudi said, "It's like Pokemon...you have to collect them all." Hilarious! And how true...I started out in search of just one thing, but once you start looking and realize how many cool things are out there, it's hard to stop!

Jodik says: The coir might look dry on top, but down in the center of the pot, it could be quite moisture-laden! I have found it helpful to insert little wooden skewers carefully into the soil to about root level, and leave them there... I take them out and press them against my cheek to test for dampness... if they feel at all damp, I wait to water... but if the skewer comes out dry, it's time to water. My coir is 4" deep in a closed pot. I put the skewer to the bottom of the pot. When I take it out how many inches of bone dry top "soil" should there be before it's time to water again? Is it 1", 2" or 4"? I just went 10 days without water and only 1" of the top was dry so am I supposed to water this direct sun pot once every two weeks or so to avoid over watering, really? And how much water for my 6" closed pot? I had been watering 1 1/2 cup or so once a week and my plant was fine but I'm now worried that was too much so I'm re-evaluating. I know what conventional wisdom says (water deep, not shallow) but that advice doesn't seem to apply to my situation. Also how long should it be before I see new leaf growth in the summer time (first season outside)? My 18 month old Red Lion so far has only grown new leaves once a year. At potting and at dormancy end.

Trickyfingers, I was using a syringe, but find it much easier to use the other end of a seafood fork. It's shaped like a post hole digging shovel, but really tiny.lol It;s now eating a mixture of dog food mixed with poke berries. I also feed it cut up grasshoppers, cabbage worms, crickets, moths, sow bugs, and meal worms dusted with pulverized oyster shells. It's not making any attempt to eat without me shoveling food in it's mouth. But It's getting much stronger to the point where I actually think it's going to live. :) Still no response from the rehabbers. I think I'm on my own here. But hopefully it will be flying next month? :) Laura