I don't know much about fertilizer so I'm gonna leave that to the other guys.
As far as keeping it green goes, just make sure that you don't mow it too short (also known as "scalping") and that it is regularly watered.
When you cut the grass too short, the roots are exposed to the sun which will fry your lawn. That's why most people who mow too short have brown spots on their lawn. However, when you mow it longer, it shades the roots which keeps it green and healthy.
#3
TaskForceLawnCare
I haven't seen your lawn, but generally you could put down a simple 12-12-12 and spread some ironite. Assuming you don't chemical license both those can be picked up at a local hardware store. I'm kind of just advising in the dark though.
#4
exotion
Around here iron makes everything green. Spokane has a iron defency problem. And also pine needle problem (acid on ph table)
#5
TaskForceLawnCare
We're pretty blessed in south central Indiana with good soils. Typically I would use a liquid Fe iron and a 52-0-0 slow release about mid May a month or so after the wet application selective herbicide treatments and fertilizers were done. There's several ways to do it just throwing my 2 cents out there.
#6
jakewells
Lime iron and 16-16-16 once per year. poor soil here except in a few spots.
#7
Retiredcarguy
For the lawn, I have 3 suggestions:
1. Don't cut it too short
2. Check the Ph - add lime if needed
3. Use Milorganite fertilizer
One and 1/2 acres here for 10 years. You can go deeper into soil science than you probably want. The soil here is acidic and pros regularly "lime" the neighbors lawns with granular form or a spray. I have avoided this and my front yard (over drain field) is a mess. You need a balanced pH soil for best results. I know how to test for this. It is to send a cupful of soil to your local agricultural school (usually free) or have someone do a soil pH test for you. Once you have the results you can determine what mix of fertilizer to use. Around here they "sweeten" with the lime. Beware the average nursery with cheap plastic pH meters-I found them worthless.
The theory of proper pH is to promote the grass which will crowd out many weeds. My front yard is going solid moss and weeds. Apparently the grass can not cope. For some reason the back acreage under fir trees is blotchy, but much better. Go figure.:confused2:
#9
Retiredcarguy
Moss, in a sunny area, is usually an indication that lime is needed to correct the soil pH. What do you think?
Let's compare conditions. Lots of firs, about 60-70 inches of rain, not real cold, but mostly 30-50 F from Nov-June. Otherwise 60-80F. As noted the spray seems to work, whatever is in it. Don't know if sod or rip out is best over a big drain field?? A bit irritating where most of the open fields are solid green (wild) grass. I'm going to talk to one of the lawn guys. Maybe artificial turf or green paint.
#11
LazerZLandscaping
Don't cut too short. Just makes the lawn brown. Always water regularly. Spread Lawn Lime , fertilizer, or grass seed on spots you want grass to grow. Another tip is if you want to, mow without a bagger, the grass just goes back to Earth and more grass will start to grow. On some of the lawns and commercial properties that I take care of, I'll spread Lime or fertilizer every eight weeks so the lawn is green and healthy. Don't have animals go wee on the lawn. Try to mow regularly or as the overgrown grass turns yellow and is sunburnt, as your done mowing it, the now short grass is now brown. Any more suggestions just ask me.
