And to generalize what morpheuspa said, 1. Organics can go down 3 weeks prior to the 'last frost' date in your area. 2. Chemical fertilizers should wait until after your second mowing of real grass (not weeds) so you are not just fertilizing the weeds. The reason for this is that organic fertilizers generally take 3 weeks to decompose to the point of helping the grass, so do it early. Chemical fertilizers take effect very quickly and wash away almost as quickly, so wait until you know your roots are functioning.

Most hog/pig feeds list "animal protein products" on the label and this indicates it might contain meat & bone meal. If your label states specific ingredients like the "blood meal" you mentioned than that's the best way to know what you have. Group terms like APP could mean it could contain a wide range of animal derived protein products.

Dan: Precisely to the point, relative. Yes I make more dollars than others in other parts of the world but, shake that die of expenses and you will see a vast difference also. That aside, I do have shelter, calories, water and motorized transportation but those are NOT guaranteed to be here tomorrow. Living in this country allows me the opportunity to pick myself back up if things get worse. THAT is the advantage I have over many people in other countries when it comes to living. I too am living on the edge, mine is just a wider edge but not a lot. "You are sheltered from most of the things that makes life hard for most humans on the planet." Your best point Dan. Instead of hard, how about difficult to prosper? Believe it or not, from young to old, none of my family (except one cousin and a sister maybe) are overweight. I've been thinking about the whole "rich folk" eating meat notion and contrasting that with the pastoral society idea for providing manures for crops. Had an excellent idea about it in the shower last night and unfortunately have forgotten it! Hope it returns. I am glad you started this thread, how about one entitled, how much longer can humankind feed itself?

Now is the best time to start an organic lawn care program. Water properly and mulch mow as high as you can, since the more grass blade you leave exposed to the sun the more nutrients that leaf can manufacture to feed the crown where more grass will grow producing a thick turf that will aid in suppressing "weed" growth. Contact your county office of the Michigan State University USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having a good, reliable soil test done so you know what your soils pH and nutrient levels are and what might need to be done to correct any deficiencies and dig in with these simple soil tests, 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. to see what else you might need do to make that soil into a good, healthy soil that will grow a good, healthy turf for you. Keep in mind that making the transition from "conventional' to organic is not simply switching which "fertilizers" you use. Here is a link that might be useful: MSU CES