Vahomeowner, Good answers to your question appear in the pre-emergent thread. "Dimension works good. You can use the "generic" brands from the big box stores. Apply at the first sign of forsythia bloom and again in 60 days. Water it in good. Then switch to soybean meal as fertilizer for the greenest, healthiest lawn on your block. Any remaining weeds, just pull them or use a weed hound. Bill Hill

Organic and synthetic program simply do not work well together. it has been proven already by someone who knows a thing or two about soil food web.

If you have fescue or KBG and are using a chemical fert, NCSU recommends "using a complete (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio". As for weeds, any of the pre-emergents will do...Dimension, Balan, or any of the combinations, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: mash here

Well I was thinking of this, Phosphorus-Free Crab-Ex® Crabgrass Preventer plus Fertilizer2. Its 30-2-5. So you guys are saying buy fertilizer then buy pre emerg? If thats it thats fine, I just want to be the best yard in the neighborhood.

In my opinion, the best way to have the best yard on the block is to have the best topsoil on the block. Work from the ground up. Organics are much better for soil health than a chemical program.

Lou...........Who proved that? Where can I access that research?.....I ask because we seem to have three groups of people on the board:
1) people who are married to Scotts and other synthetic programs
2) a much smaller group who are purely organic
3) and a rather large group who would like to dabble in organics but don't want to jump in completely

That third group is the group where the organic community could make great strides with, as long as they don't go too hard-core with them. I am squarely in that group. Last year, I had AWESOME results with organic fertilization, but not so great results in the weed control department. Until further notice, I am going to use a synthetic preemergent and then go organic for my feedings. While I would bet the farm that organic fertilizer ultimately works better than synthetic, I am not as convinced that the organic community has found a way to combat weeds. On top of that, I think that I am in the mega majority that doesn't want to contend with weeds.

The organic purists will say that weeds are something that you have to deal with. While I don't mind pulling weeds here and there, I am going to go with my gut and use the "hybrid" approach until my lawn (if ever) snuffs out 99% of the weeds on its own.

Yep, I'm leaning pretty heavily to your side of the scale. I try to use organics whenever I can find them, add compost routinely, water once a week (when not on restrictions), but will not stop using pre-m's at this point in my young lawn career (if that makes any sense at all). :)

vahomeowner - not exactly sure why most on this forum don't like to apply a pre-m w/fertilzer combo, unless they have seeded (I forget, but I'm sure someone will come along soon to tell us - he he). I happen to have 2 bags of Lesco Dimension w/fert (got mine at HD) which I will apply this week. Otherwise, I would have applied Dimension or Balan, then come right behind it with a good full compliment fertilizer. I guess Halts is okay too. If you have that combo use it.