When using

this type of product, it is important that you spread it over your lawn

before crabgrass seeds germinate. This will hasten your lawn's green up

and stop unsightly crabgrass before it seeds.

Depending on

where you live, crabgrass preventers formulated with fertilizers should

be applied early in the year (see map). Crabgrass germinates when soil

temperatures reach 55°F for three consecutive days.

Approximately

60 days later (two months), use a post-emergent broad leaf weed control

product. These usually are formulated with low nitrogen fertilizers to

continue the greening of grass and strengthen the root systems during

the summer months.

This type of

product controls broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, plantains, chickweed,

and sometimes clover. The application will be made between May and July,

depending on when the pre-emergent crabgrass preventer was applied.

Later, from

Mid-June through Mid-July, you will want to control insects. Insect types

depend on the area in which you live.

In the northeast,

mid-Atlantic and central parts of the country, homeowners will need to

protect against grubs-insects that reside just below the surface of the

soil. Insecticides specifically developed for grub control are formulated

with fertilizers to maintain green grass during the hot summer, while

minimizing damage to turf caused by sub-surface feeders.

Homeowners

in the rest of the country, the Deep South and west, usually need to control

surface feeding insects. Insecticides specifically designed for surface

feeders, such as chinch bugs, bill bugs, cutworms and webworms, come formulated

with low nutrition fertilizer treatments that sustain greening while offering

insect protection.

In the early

fall, usually September, fertilizers are used again to strengthen grass

and root systems for the cooler fall and colder winter temperatures.

In the mid-Atlantic

states, and as far west as Nebraska and Iowa, homeowners may apply pre-emergent

weed control products for fall germinating weeds such as Poa annua, chickweed

and henbit.

steps over the course of the year, homeowners can keep the grass greener

on their side of the fence year round.

For further

information on Dimension crabgrass preventer formulated with fertilizers,

call 1-800-987-0467.