The Weekend Warrior: 4-App Annual Program
Who This Plan Is For
You want a decent lawn. You don't want to spend every Saturday measuring soil pH and spot-spraying weeds with a backpack rig. You want four trips to the lawn per year and a result that makes you proud when you pull into the driveway.
This is the plan for you.
The 4-Application Schedule
Round 1: Early Spring (Soil Temp 50-55°F)
Product: Granular Pre-Emergent + Fertilizer combo (e.g., Scotts Halts Crabgrass Preventer or Barricade 0-0-7)
This is the most important application of the year. Pre-emergent creates a chemical barrier in the top 1-2 inches of soil that prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating. Miss this window and you'll be fighting crabgrass all summer.
Rate: Follow bag instructions for your lawn size in sq ft. For most combo products, that's roughly 3-4 lbs per 1,000 sq ft.
💡 Pro Tip: Track soil temps at GreenCast or stick a meat thermometer 2 inches into the soil. When it hits 55°F for 3 consecutive days, it's go time.
Round 2: Late Spring / Early Summer (May-June)
Product: Balanced fertilizer (e.g., 24-0-6 or 30-0-4) with weed control
Your lawn is growing hard now. Feed it. The nitrogen pushes top growth and color. If the product includes a broadleaf herbicide (like 2,4-D + Dicamba), it'll knock out dandelions and clover at the same time.
Rate: ~1 lb of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. For a 24-0-6 product, that means roughly 4 lbs of product per 1,000 sq ft.
⚠️ Warning: Do NOT apply granular weed-and-feed when temps are above 85°F. The herbicide can burn your lawn. Apply in the morning when there's dew on the grass for best adhesion.
Round 3: Late Summer (August-September)
Product: Slow-release fertilizer (e.g., Milorganite 6-4-0 or a synthetic 32-0-10)
This is your recovery round. Summer heat stress has taken its toll. A slow-release feed gives consistent nutrition without a surge of growth. Milorganite is a popular organic option — it won't burn and adds iron for color.
Rate: Milorganite: 9 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Synthetic: follow bag rates, targeting ~0.75 lb N per 1,000 sq ft.
Round 4: Fall (October-November)
Product: Winterizer fertilizer (high potassium, e.g., 10-0-20 or 24-0-12)
This is your lawn's meal before hibernation. The potassium strengthens cell walls and root systems, helping your turf survive freeze cycles. A winterizer application is the #1 reason some lawns bounce back green in April while others are brown until June.
Rate: ~1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft.
🍂 Cool Season Zone Bonus: If you're in Zones 5-7, this is also prime overseeding time. Combine your winterizer with a broadcast of Tall Fescue or KBG seed for thick spring growth.
Expected Results
| Month | What You'll See |
|---|---|
| April | Clean, green-up starting. No crabgrass poking through. |
| June | Full, green, weed-free lawn. Neighbors start noticing. |
| August | Some heat stress on cool-season grasses — that's normal. |
| October | Recovery green-up, thick canopy heading into winter. |
Total Cost Estimate
For a 5,000 sq ft lawn, expect roughly $120–$180/year in product costs, depending on whether you go synthetic or organic.
What This Plan Does NOT Include
- Pre/post-emergent spot sprays (you can add this for $20-30/yr)
- Soil test and pH correction
- Aeration and overseeding
- Fungicide programs
If you want those, check out the Neighborhood Envy or Country Club plans.