At Green Mountain Fertilizer, we believe in a flexible approach to fertilizer programs. We don’t adhere to a rigid three- or four-step program that assumes all lawns have the same needs. Instead, we offer general customization guidelines based on your lawn’s specific needs.
Soil testing is your crucial first step. It provides a reference point, particularly the ‘pH’ level, which is instrumental in determining your fertilizer needs.
Step 1
If your lawn is prone to crabgrass, then our Lebanon Crabgrass Preventer with fertilizer (22-0-6 w/dimension or similar) would be your step 1 product. Apply in our area in late April or early May when soil temp is 50 degrees. If there is no crabgrass, then either GMF Lawn Supreme (20-0-12 w/SRN) or GMF One Step (12-0-7 w/SRN and iron). Use the Lawn Supreme on a lawn with good topsoil and pH above 6.5. Use our One Step fertilizer if the pH is lower or you’re on sandy soils. This product is blended with our GMF highly efficient pelletized lime and will help maintain and raise pH if used regularly.
Step 2
Late May (Memorial Day) through mid-June. To help maintain your lawn and minimize stress during the dog days of summer, we recommend using GMF 20-0-12 Lawn Supreme w/SRN if there is no weed pressure.
If you have broadleaf issues (dandelion, creeping Charlie, or other weeds), use Lebanon Turf Weed and Feed 25-0-5 with Trimes or a similar product.
We also recommend an Ortho Weed B-Gon liquid for spot treatment of broadleaf weeds.
Step 3
Late August through mid-September to help put your lawn to bed for winter.
If you are seeing broadleaf or other weed issues after the stressful summer, fall is a great time for weed control. We recommend a liquid herbicide like Ortho Weed B-Gon, Bonide Sedge Ender, or other products to target specific weeds.
After addressing any weed issues, we recommend using our GMF “One Step” 12-0-7 if you have sandy or low pH soil or our GMF 6-0-16 Fall Supreme if you are on better soils. These products will supply the nutrients your lawn needs to recover from the stressful summer months and provide good plant health going into the northeast winter for a quicker recovery in the spring.
