Maintaining a lush, green lawn can feel like a constant battle against weeds and the elements. Many homeowners dream of a perfect lawn but are unsure where to begin. Fortunately, achieving a beautiful, healthy lawn is simpler than you might think with a structured approach like the Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program. This program provides a seasonal feeding schedule designed to give your lawn exactly what it needs, when it needs it, throughout the entire year. Let’s dive into each step of this straightforward program to ensure your lawn becomes the envy of the neighborhood.
Step 1: Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food (Early Spring)
The first step in the Scotts 4-Step program is crucial and should be applied in early spring, ideally between February and April. Timing is key here; aim to apply when temperatures are still cool, consistently below 80°F (around 26°C). Scotts® Step 1 is a Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food, which serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it contains a pre-emergent herbicide that targets crabgrass seeds before they have a chance to germinate and become a nuisance in your lawn. Crabgrass is a particularly aggressive weed that can quickly take over if not prevented early in the season. Secondly, Step 1 also acts as a lawn fertilizer, providing essential nutrients to your grass as it comes out of winter dormancy. This early feeding encourages healthy green growth, helping your lawn recover from the colder months and preparing it for the growing season ahead.
Key points for Step 1 application:
- Timing is critical: Apply in early spring, before crabgrass germinates. A good indicator is to apply it around or before Easter.
- Temperature matters: Ensure temperatures are consistently below 80°F for optimal effectiveness of the crabgrass preventer.
- Choose the right size: Scotts® Step 1 is available in sizes to cover 5,000 sq. ft. or 15,000 sq. ft., so select the bag size that best matches your lawn size to ensure proper coverage and prevent wastage.
- Consider soil improvement: For even better results, especially if you have poor soil quality, consider applying Scotts® Foundation Soil Improver around the same time as your Step 1 application. This can enhance soil structure and nutrient availability, creating a healthier environment for your lawn to thrive.
- Plan ahead: Purchasing all four steps of the program at once ensures you are ready for each application window and won’t miss a step.
Step 2: Weed Control Plus Lawn Food (Late Spring)
Moving into late spring, typically between April and June, it’s time for Step 2: Weed Control Plus Lawn Food. It’s important to wait 4-6 weeks after your Step 1 application before applying Step 2 to avoid any potential interference between the products. Step 2 is designed to tackle existing broadleaf weeds that may have emerged, such as dandelions, clover, and other common lawn weeds. This formula contains herbicides that specifically target these weeds, killing them down to the root while leaving your grass unharmed. Simultaneously, it continues to feed your lawn, providing a balanced blend of nutrients to promote thick, green turf growth from the roots upwards. This step is vital for creating a weed-free lawn and ensuring strong, healthy grass development during the active growing season.
Best practices for Step 2 application:
- Timing: Apply in late spring, around Memorial Day, and 4-6 weeks after Step 1.
- Weather conditions: Apply on a calm day to prevent drift of the weed control granules to areas you don’t want to treat. Apply to a damp lawn to help the granules adhere to weed leaves and activate effectively. Check the weather forecast and ensure no rain is expected for at least 24 hours after application to prevent runoff and allow the weed control to work.
- Watering: If rain is not anticipated, lightly water the lawn after application to help activate the weed control and fertilizer.
- Even application: Use a lawn spreader to ensure even distribution of the product across your lawn, avoiding over-application in some areas and under-application in others.
Step 3: Lawn Food With 2% Iron (Summer)
As summer arrives, typically between June and August, your lawn faces new challenges like heat and potential drought stress. Step 3, Lawn Food With 2% Iron, is formulated to provide a mid-season boost, strengthening your lawn to withstand these summer stresses. The added iron in this formula is crucial for deep greening, enhancing the color of your lawn and making it look vibrant even in hot conditions. Step 3 continues to feed your lawn with essential nutrients, promoting robust growth and improving its resilience against heat and drought. This step helps maintain lawn health and appearance throughout the harsh summer months.
Tips for Step 3 application:
- Timing: Apply in the summer, around Independence Day, to give your lawn a mid-season boost.
- Watering: If rain is not expected within 24 hours, water your lawn immediately after applying Step 3. Watering helps to move the fertilizer down to the roots and reduces the risk of burning the lawn in hot weather.
- Spot treat weeds: Step 3 primarily focuses on feeding and strengthening your lawn. If you notice any persistent weeds, spot treat them with a targeted weed killer as needed during this time.
- Monitor lawn health: Keep an eye on your lawn for signs of stress during the summer, such as browning or thinning. Adjust watering practices as needed to supplement the feeding from Step 3 and maintain lawn health.
Step 4: Fall Lawn Food (Fall)
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The final step in the annual Scotts 4-Step program is Fall Lawn Food, applied between August and November, typically 4 to 6 weeks after Step 3. Fall lawn care is often underestimated, but it’s arguably one of the most important times to feed your lawn. Step 4 is designed to prepare your lawn for the winter dormancy and set it up for a strong, healthy spring awakening. This application provides a final feeding of nutrients that help the grass green up in the fall and, more importantly, strengthen its root system over the winter. A strong root system is essential for nutrient storage, drought tolerance, and vigorous spring growth. Applying Step 4 ensures your lawn not only looks good in the fall but is also well-prepared to thrive when spring returns.
Guidelines for Step 4 application:
- Timing: Apply in the fall, from Labor Day until mid-October. This timing allows the lawn to absorb the nutrients before winter dormancy sets in.
- Watering: Watering in Step 4 is recommended, especially if you want to speed up greening in the fall. Watering helps the fertilizer reach the roots and begin working.
- Leaf removal: Rake leaves regularly from your lawn in the fall. A thick layer of leaves can block sunlight and trap moisture, potentially leading to lawn diseases.
- Final mowing: Continue to mow your lawn as needed until the grass stops growing in late fall. A final mow at the correct height before winter is beneficial for lawn health.
By following the Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program, you can take the guesswork out of lawn maintenance and enjoy a consistently beautiful, healthy, and weed-free lawn throughout the year. Each step is strategically timed and formulated to address the specific needs of your lawn in each season, making lawn care manageable and effective for any homeowner.
